New Jersey to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 680 miles from New Jersey to Kentucky ranges from $809 to $1,147 and takes 1–6 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to New Jersey car shipping guide.

New Jersey to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in New Jersey and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 680 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.

Cost to ship a car from Trenton, NJ to Kentucky

From New Jersey to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Trenton, NJ to Louisville, KY $817 – $1,193 692 miles 1 – 6 days
Trenton, NJ to Lexington, KY $796 – $1,110 654 miles 1 – 6 days
Trenton, NJ to Bowling Green, KY $873 – $1,282 811 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Owensboro, KY $806 – $1,250 797 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Covington, KY $756 – $1,067 593 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Newark, NJ to Kentucky

From New Jersey to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Newark, NJ to Louisville, KY $790 – $1,255 727 miles 1 – 6 days
Newark, NJ to Lexington, KY $825 – $1,193 695 miles 1 – 6 days
Newark, NJ to Bowling Green, KY $839 – $1,240 856 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Owensboro, KY $826 – $1,262 833 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Covington, KY $797 – $1,149 629 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Jersey City, NJ to Kentucky

From New Jersey to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Jersey City, NJ to Louisville, KY $865 – $1,243 736 miles 1 – 6 days
Jersey City, NJ to Lexington, KY $813 – $1,231 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Jersey City, NJ to Bowling Green, KY $848 – $1,240 864 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Owensboro, KY $826 – $1,326 840 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Covington, KY $766 – $1,072 637 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Paterson, NJ to Kentucky

From New Jersey to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Paterson, NJ to Louisville, KY $799 – $1,229 756 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Lexington, KY $854 – $1,124 704 miles 1 – 6 days
Paterson, NJ to Bowling Green, KY $911 – $1,268 876 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Owensboro, KY $839 – $1,266 861 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Covington, KY $756 – $1,087 657 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Elizabeth, NJ to Kentucky

From New Jersey to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Elizabeth, NJ to Louisville, KY $865 – $1,158 741 miles 1 – 6 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Lexington, KY $801 – $1,101 697 miles 1 – 6 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Bowling Green, KY $830 – $1,279 858 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Owensboro, KY $852 – $1,262 846 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Covington, KY $782 – $1,072 643 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,011 and $1,434.

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

When transporting your vehicle from the Garden 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 New Jersey to Kentucky spans approximately 680 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Kentucky should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best New Jersey to Kentucky car shipping companies

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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

What else should you know about shipping a car from New Jersey 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Transporting your vehicle from New Jersey

Over 39 million people call New Jersey home. Nicknamed the Garden State, New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.

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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.

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 New Jersey to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from New Jersey to Kentucky is about 680 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from New Jersey to Kentucky.

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

If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.

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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from New Jersey to Kentucky is to ship it on a train or to choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pick-up dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from New Jersey to Kentucky?

Shipping a car from New Jersey to Kentucky costs $809 to $1,147.

Helpful New Jersey resources