Texas to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,112 miles from Texas to Kentucky ranges from $888 to $1,460 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Texas car shipping guide.

The best Texas to Kentucky car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Texas 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
At A Glance
  • 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 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
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
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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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Texas to Kentucky

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,112 miles on your car going from Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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!

TX 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 Texas and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 1,112 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to Kentucky

From Texas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Houston, TX to Louisville, KY $854 – $1,363 951 miles 2 – 7 days
Houston, TX to Lexington, KY $843 – $1,361 989 miles 2 – 7 days
Houston, TX to Bowling Green, KY $797 – $1,254 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Houston, TX to Owensboro, KY $859 – $1,221 869 miles 2 – 7 days
Houston, TX to Covington, KY $782 – $1,357 1,046 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to Kentucky

From Texas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Antonio, TX to Louisville, KY $914 – $1,418 1,109 miles 2 – 8 days
San Antonio, TX to Lexington, KY $914 – $1,432 1,146 miles 2 – 8 days
San Antonio, TX to Bowling Green, KY $810 – $1,348 999 miles 2 – 7 days
San Antonio, TX to Owensboro, KY $831 – $1,357 1,027 miles 2 – 8 days
San Antonio, TX to Covington, KY $949 – $1,511 1,204 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to Kentucky

From Texas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Dallas, TX to Louisville, KY $805 – $1,192 836 miles 2 – 7 days
Dallas, TX to Lexington, KY $842 – $1,258 873 miles 2 – 7 days
Dallas, TX to Bowling Green, KY $826 – $1,175 726 miles 1 – 6 days
Dallas, TX to Owensboro, KY $779 – $1,232 754 miles 2 – 7 days
Dallas, TX to Covington, KY $797 – $1,313 931 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to Kentucky

From Texas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Austin, TX to Louisville, KY $807 – $1,291 1,030 miles 2 – 8 days
Austin, TX to Lexington, KY $831 – $1,317 1,068 miles 2 – 8 days
Austin, TX to Bowling Green, KY $813 – $1,338 921 miles 2 – 7 days
Austin, TX to Owensboro, KY $813 – $1,223 948 miles 2 – 7 days
Austin, TX to Covington, KY $861 – $1,418 1,125 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to Kentucky

From Texas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fort Worth, TX to Louisville, KY $859 – $1,258 867 miles 2 – 7 days
Fort Worth, TX to Lexington, KY $797 – $1,313 905 miles 2 – 7 days
Fort Worth, TX to Bowling Green, KY $787 – $1,232 757 miles 2 – 7 days
Fort Worth, TX to Owensboro, KY $835 – $1,241 785 miles 2 – 7 days
Fort Worth, TX to Covington, KY $788 – $1,272 962 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,110 and $1,825.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from TX to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Lone Star 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 Texas to Kentucky spans approximately 1,112 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky should take between two and eight 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 Texas

More than 39 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State, Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.

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 Texas 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 Texas and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas 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 Texas.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.

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 Texas to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to Kentucky is about 1,112 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Texas to Kentucky.

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

In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.

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 Texas, 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky?

Shipping a car from Texas to Kentucky costs $888 to $1,460.

Helpful Texas resources