Rhode Island to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 872 miles from Rhode Island to Kentucky ranges from $824 to $1,280 and takes two–seven 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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  • Established in 2007
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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Rhode Island car shipping guide.

The best Rhode Island to Kentucky car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Kentucky

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 872 miles on your car going from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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!

RI 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 Rhode Island and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 872 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Kentucky

From Rhode Island to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Louisville, KY $787 – $1,221 925 miles 2 – 7 days
Providence, RI to Lexington, KY $794 – $1,208 892 miles 2 – 7 days
Providence, RI to Bowling Green, KY $813 – $1,367 1,045 miles 2 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Owensboro, KY $773 – $1,275 1,031 miles 2 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Covington, KY $796 – $1,263 828 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Kentucky

From Rhode Island to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warwick, RI to Louisville, KY $804 – $1,247 919 miles 2 – 7 days
Warwick, RI to Lexington, KY $818 – $1,233 885 miles 2 – 7 days
Warwick, RI to Bowling Green, KY $813 – $1,288 1,039 miles 2 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Owensboro, KY $822 – $1,275 1,025 miles 2 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Covington, KY $775 – $1,197 822 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Kentucky

From Rhode Island to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cranston, RI to Louisville, KY $861 – $1,247 922 miles 2 – 7 days
Cranston, RI to Lexington, KY $810 – $1,246 889 miles 2 – 7 days
Cranston, RI to Bowling Green, KY $822 – $1,301 1,043 miles 2 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Owensboro, KY $822 – $1,327 1,028 miles 2 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Covington, KY $771 – $1,263 826 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Kentucky

From Rhode Island to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pawtucket, RI to Louisville, KY $812 – $1,322 930 miles 2 – 7 days
Pawtucket, RI to Lexington, KY $827 – $1,270 897 miles 2 – 7 days
Pawtucket, RI to Bowling Green, KY $805 – $1,262 1,050 miles 2 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Owensboro, KY $805 – $1,249 1,036 miles 2 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Covington, KY $804 – $1,263 833 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Kentucky

From Rhode Island to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
East Providence, RI to Louisville, KY $845 – $1,246 926 miles 2 – 7 days
East Providence, RI to Lexington, KY $802 – $1,196 893 miles 2 – 7 days
East Providence, RI to Bowling Green, KY $797 – $1,288 1,046 miles 2 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Owensboro, KY $830 – $1,340 1,031 miles 2 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Covington, KY $844 – $1,215 830 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Kentucky

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 Rhode Island to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,030 and $1,600.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from RI to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean 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 Rhode Island to Kentucky spans approximately 872 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Kentucky should take between two and seven 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 Rhode Island

More than 39 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

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 Rhode Island and delivery in Kentucky?

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

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Kentucky?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

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 Rhode Island to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Kentucky is about 872 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Rhode Island to Kentucky.

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

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

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 Rhode Island, will I need one in Kentucky?

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

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

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Kentucky?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Kentucky?

Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Kentucky costs $824 to $1,280.

Helpful Rhode Island resources