North Carolina to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 467 miles from North Carolina to Kentucky ranges from $699 to $989 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles
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  • Door-to-door service
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to North Carolina car shipping guide.

The best North Carolina to Kentucky car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from North Carolina to Kentucky:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from North Carolina to Kentucky

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 467 miles on your car going from North Carolina to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
  • Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from North Carolina for a move to Kentucky, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from North Carolina to Kentucky for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
  • Ship by train. If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!

NC to KY auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in North Carolina and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 467 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to Kentuckytoggle

From North Carolina to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Charlotte, NC to Louisville, KY $712 – $1,028 483 miles 1 – 4 days
Charlotte, NC to Lexington, KY $685 – $957 405 miles 1 – 4 days
Charlotte, NC to Bowling Green, KY $704 – $927 436 miles 1 – 4 days
Charlotte, NC to Owensboro, KY $752 – $1,045 511 miles 1 – 6 days
Charlotte, NC to Covington, KY $757 – $1,028 460 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to Kentuckytoggle

From North Carolina to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Raleigh, NC to Louisville, KY $828 – $1,096 562 miles 1 – 6 days
Raleigh, NC to Lexington, KY $749 – $968 490 miles 1 – 4 days
Raleigh, NC to Bowling Green, KY $749 – $1,085 565 miles 1 – 6 days
Raleigh, NC to Owensboro, KY $852 – $1,145 643 miles 1 – 6 days
Raleigh, NC to Covington, KY $715 – $1,004 511 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to Kentuckytoggle

From North Carolina to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Greensboro, NC to Louisville, KY $741 – $968 487 miles 1 – 4 days
Greensboro, NC to Lexington, KY $658 – $892 416 miles 1 – 4 days
Greensboro, NC to Bowling Green, KY $749 – $988 490 miles 1 – 4 days
Greensboro, NC to Owensboro, KY $757 – $1,074 569 miles 1 – 6 days
Greensboro, NC to Covington, KY $725 – $917 436 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to Kentuckytoggle

From North Carolina to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Durham, NC to Louisville, KY $760 – $1,050 539 miles 1 – 6 days
Durham, NC to Lexington, KY $742 – $999 469 miles 1 – 4 days
Durham, NC to Bowling Green, KY $781 – $1,085 553 miles 1 – 6 days
Durham, NC to Owensboro, KY $827 – $1,162 611 miles 1 – 6 days
Durham, NC to Covington, KY $697 – $1,059 489 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to Kentuckytoggle

From North Carolina to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Winston-Salem, NC to Louisville, KY $735 – $959 463 miles 1 – 4 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Lexington, KY $697 – $871 391 miles 1 – 4 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Bowling Green, KY $727 – $1,028 477 miles 1 – 4 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Owensboro, KY $775 – $1,050 545 miles 1 – 6 days
Winston-Salem, NC to Covington, KY $706 – $910 412 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina to Kentuckytoggle

Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from North Carolina to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $874 and $1,236.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from NC to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Tar Heel State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
  • Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Kentucky.
  • Distance and route: The journey from North Carolina to Kentucky spans approximately 467 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of North Carolina, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between North Carolina and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
  • Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from North Carolina to Kentucky should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
  • Vehicle inspection: When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
  • Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
  • Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from North Carolina

More than 39 million people call North Carolina home. Nicknamed the Tar Heel State, North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.

Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky

About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in North Carolina and delivery in Kentucky?toggle

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in North Carolina and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Carolina to Kentucky?toggle

If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Carolina to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, which you should verify before loading your car in North Carolina.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.

The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.

How long does it take to ship a car from North Carolina to Kentucky?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to Kentucky is about 467 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from North Carolina to Kentucky.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?toggle

Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.

When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.

If I have a driver’s license in North Carolina, will I need one in Kentucky?toggle

New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.

If I bought a car in North Carolina, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from North Carolina to Kentucky after purchasing it.

In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both North Carolina and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to Kentucky?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to Kentucky is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from North Carolina to Kentucky?toggle

Shipping a car from North Carolina to Kentucky costs $699 to $989.

Helpful North Carolina resources