Pennsylvania to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 551 miles from Pennsylvania to Kentucky ranges from $838 to $1,212 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.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 551 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to Kentucky
| From Pennsylvania to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Louisville, KY | 672 miles | $895–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Lexington, KY | 640 miles | $861–$1,281 | 1–6 days |
| Erie, PA to Bardstown, KY | 699 miles | $975–$1,263 | 1–6 days |
| Reading, PA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 862 miles | $963–$1,513 | 2–7 days |
| Scranton, PA to Somerset, KY | 693 miles | $882–$1,276 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh , PA to Kentucky
| From Pennsylvania to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Louisville, KY | 388 miles | $712–$917 | 1–4 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Lexington, KY | 372 miles | $693–$919 | 1–4 days |
| Erie, PA to Bardstown, KY | 420 miles | $699–$978 | 1–4 days |
| Reading, PA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 574 miles | $822–$1,130 | 1–6 days |
| Scranton, PA to Somerset, KY | 447 miles | $711–$1,026 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to Kentucky
| From Pennsylvania to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Louisville, KY | 445 miles | $786–$985 | 1–4 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Lexington, KY | 428 miles | $771–$1,026 | 1–4 days |
| Erie, PA to Bardstown, KY | 477 miles | $796–$1,115 | 1–4 days |
| Reading, PA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 630 miles | $870–$1,294 | 1–6 days |
| Scranton, PA to Somerset, KY | 503 miles | $808–$1,089 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to Kentucky
| From Pennsylvania to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Louisville, KY | 629 miles | $897–$1,281 | 1–6 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Lexington, KY | 591 miles | $825–$1,177 | 1–6 days |
| Erie, PA to Bardstown, KY | 651 miles | $941–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Reading, PA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 815 miles | $1,031–$1,472 | 2–7 days |
| Scranton, PA to Somerset, KY | 645 miles | $897–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Scranton, PA to Kentucky
| From Pennsylvania to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Louisville, KY | 679 miles | $957–$1,396 | 1–6 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to Lexington, KY | 652 miles | $923–$1,261 | 1–6 days |
| Erie, PA to Bardstown, KY | 711 miles | $923–$1,426 | 1–6 days |
| Reading, PA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 865 miles | $1,003–$1,572 | 2–7 days |
| Scranton, PA to Somerset, KY | 706 miles | $895–$1,331 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,048 and $1,515.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania to Kentucky spans approximately 551 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Kentucky should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Pennsylvania to Kentucky car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Pennsylvania to Kentucky:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 551 miles on your car going from Pennsylvania 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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Pennsylvania 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Over 39 million people call Pennsylvania home. Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Pennsylvania to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
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 Pennsylvania to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to Kentucky is about 551 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Pennsylvania to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
