Tennessee to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 267 miles from Tennessee to Kentucky ranges from $544 to $757 and takes 1–4 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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

Tennessee to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times

The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Tennessee and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 267 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 4 days.

Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to Kentucky

From Tennessee to Kentucky Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY 175 miles $493–$640 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY 213 miles $549–$707 1–4 days
Clarksville, TN to Bardstown, KY 155 miles $454–$617 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Fort Campbell North, KY 62 miles $279–$504 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Somerset, KY 172 miles $493–$646 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to Kentucky

From Tennessee to Kentucky Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY 383 miles $698–$926 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY 423 miles $750–$998 1–4 days
Clarksville, TN to Bardstown, KY 364 miles $659–$947 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Fort Campbell North, KY 208 miles $534–$693 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Somerset, KY 380 miles $691–$984 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to Kentucky

From Tennessee to Kentucky Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY 180 miles $508–$694 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY 219 miles $571–$671 1–4 days
Clarksville, TN to Bardstown, KY 160 miles $463–$669 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Fort Campbell North, KY 12 miles $250–$421 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Somerset, KY 177 miles $507–$660 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to Kentucky

From Tennessee to Kentucky Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY 247 miles $560–$707 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY 172 miles $488–$686 1–4 days
Clarksville, TN to Bardstown, KY 196 miles $506–$678 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Fort Campbell North, KY 237 miles $540–$714 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Somerset, KY 109 miles $408–$570 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to Kentucky

From Tennessee to Kentucky Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY 306 miles $636–$885 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY 281 miles $600–$827 1–4 days
Clarksville, TN to Bardstown, KY 286 miles $565–$811 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Fort Campbell North, KY 190 miles $500–$650 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Somerset, KY 179 miles $464–$673 1–4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee to Kentucky

Since vehicles like SUV, 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 Tennessee to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $680 and $946.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Tennessee to Kentucky

When transporting your vehicle from the Volunteer 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 Tennessee to Kentucky spans approximately 267 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Kentucky should take between 1 and 4 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best Tennessee to Kentucky car shipping companies

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Tennessee to Kentucky

What else should you know about shipping a car from Tennessee to Kentucky?

  • 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 Tennessee

Over 39 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State, Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky

About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. 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 picking up my car in Tennessee and when dropping off my car in Kentucky?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Tennessee and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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 Tennessee to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to Kentucky is about 267 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take 1-4 days to travel from Tennessee to Kentucky.

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

In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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

Helpful Tennessee resources