10 Best Car Shipping Companies in Kentucky (2026 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: Our team rated Nexus Auto Transport the top car shipping company in Kentucky, earning 4.7 out of 5 stars. It stood out for its competitive pricing and consistently positive customer feedback. Distance and shipping method are the biggest factors in your final cost, which runs between $765 and $1,286 to ship a car out of Kentucky.
Kentucky car shipping facts
- 63% of auto transport providers in Kentucky use open carriers, the most common and affordable way to move a vehicle.
- 100% of Kentucky car shipping companies offer enclosed transport for added protection.
- Just 28% of auto shippers nationwide provide guaranteed delivery, versus 36% in Kentucky. If your move requires a set arrival date, we recommend Nexus Auto Transport.
Best car shipping companies in Kentucky
Our research team has analyzed 612 auto transport providers nationwide, putting in more than 400 hours of work. That includes 11 companies serving KY. Using this extensive dataset, we create accurate, fact-driven recommendations so you can confidently choose from the best car shipping companies nearby.
Need to ship a car from Louisville or anywhere else in Kentucky? Check out our top choices for auto transport in the area:
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed.
Pros & Cons
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company's transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn't ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This highly-rated company also provides a Damage-Free Guarantee, which is a free contingent insurance policy that covers up to $500 of your deductible if a carrier's cargo insurance falls short. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
- Home of the industry’s only 'Damage Free Guarantee'
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Louisville Auto Shipping Group
9900 Corporate Campus Dr #3000, Louisville, KY, 40223
https://autoshippinggroup.com
Louisville Auto Shipping Group (DOT: 2239008) offers interstate, international, enclosed, open, and terminal-to-terminal vehicle transport.
The company ships cars that don't run, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, classic cars, electric vehicles, and heavy equipment, with expedited delivery, shipment tracking, storage solutions, and detailed inspection reports.
It provides a damage-free guarantee, guaranteed delivery, full insurance, and a military discount; however, it does not offer senior, student, teacher, law enforcement, AAA, or cryptocurrency payment options.
The company has yet to establish a Yelp rating, while it holds a 3.0 Google rating and an A+ BBB rating.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Jack Cooper Transport
6709 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY, 40213
http://jackcooper.com
Jack Cooper Transport (DOT: 64161) provides fully insured, damage-free-guaranteed interstate shipping with enclosed and multi-car transport options.
The company also offers expedited delivery for motorcycles, boats, RVs, and other vehicles.
It has yet to establish a Yelp rating, while it holds a 4.3 Google rating and an A+ BBB rating.
Some customers may find the lack of open transport, shipment tracking, guaranteed delivery, and inoperable-car transport to be a drawback.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Expedited Delivery
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC
501 Lake Shore Dr, Kuttawa, KY, 42055
http://www.safewayautotransport.com
Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC (DOT: 2232026) offers interstate and international vehicle shipping with open or enclosed transport options.
The company provides guaranteed delivery, expedited service, shipment tracking, storage solutions, damage-free guarantees, and detailed inspection reports.
It has a 4.5-star Google rating, while ratings on Yelp and BBB are not available.
A potential downside for some customers is that it does not transport inoperable vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, or boats and does not accept credit cards.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Money Order
- Pay by Cash
- Interstate
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Ceva Logistics
6712 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY, 40213
http://cevalogistics.com
Ceva Logistics (DOT: 187774) offers interstate and international vehicle shipping with open or enclosed transport options.
The company also ships boats, motorcycles, trailers, and heavy equipment, with expedited delivery, guaranteed delivery, storage solutions, and shipment tracking available.
However, it does not transport inoperable cars, RVs, ATVs, classic cars, or electric vehicles, which may be a drawback for some customers.
Ceva Logistics has a 3.6 rating on Google and has yet to establish ratings on Yelp and the BBB.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
Xpress Auto Transport
201 E Main St suite 340, Lexington, KY, 40507
https://www.xpressautoship.com
Xpress Auto Transport (DOT: 3878126) provides fully insured interstate and international vehicle shipping, including open and enclosed transport options.
The company ships cars, motorcycles, boats, classic vehicles, RVs, trailers, heavy equipment, and electric vehicles, with expedited delivery, storage solutions, and shipment tracking available.
Xpress Auto Transport has yet to establish ratings on Yelp, Google, or the BBB.
However, it does not offer guaranteed delivery, damage-free guarantees, or transportation for cars that do not run, which may be a drawback for some customers.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Average cost of transporting a car out of KY
If you're moving a car from Kentucky to another state, you'll pay between $765 and $1,286. Your actual cost could vary depending on the total distance and whether your car travels on an open carrier or in an enclosed trailer.
- Short-distance shipments (under 500 miles): $550 - $861
- Medium-distance shipments (500 - 1,500 miles): $870 - $1,108
- Long-distance shipments (over 1,500 miles): $1,141 - $1,278
Check out these price ranges by distance:
| Route | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky to Florida | $826 | $1,208 |
| Kentucky to California | $1,371 | $2,225 |
| Kentucky to Michigan | $697 | $998 |
| Kentucky to Ohio | $438 | $625 |
| Kentucky to Arizona | $1,278 | $1,855 |
| Texas to Kentucky | $941 | $1,474 |
| Illinois to Kentucky | $588 | $805 |
| Georgia to Kentucky | $626 | $887 |
| North Carolina to Kentucky | $618 | $874 |
| New York to Kentucky | $796 | $1,106 |
What affects car shipping costs from Kentucky
- Your move distance: Shipping within Kentucky or to neighboring states costs less than a long cross-country haul.
- Location: Shipping from a rural part of Kentucky often costs more, since carriers may need to detour off major routes to reach you. Pickups near Louisville or other well-traveled corridors usually mean a lower rate.
- Your car's make, model, and year: Compact cars cost less to ship. Classic or specialty vehicles from Kentucky cost more, since they need extra care in transit. Only 18% of Kentucky shippers handle classic cars, so ask upfront if yours needs special handling.
- Shipping options in the Bluegrass State: 63% of Kentucky auto transporters offer open transport, and 100% offer enclosed transport. Open-air costs less, but enclosed transport protects your car from Kentucky's unpredictable weather for a higher price.
- Gas prices: Fuel costs in Kentucky factor into your total price, especially on longer routes. The average price is about $2.67 per gallon right now.
- Delivery time frame: You'll pay more for car shipping if you need a guaranteed delivery date or expedited service.
- Seasonality: Prices tend to climb during peak car shipping season, roughly May through October, when demand is highest. Booking in the fall or winter can work in your favor, though weather-related delays are more common during those months.
- Discounts: In Kentucky, 1 companies offer military discounts, 11 offer other discounts, and many also discount multi-vehicle shipments. Check out our full guide on car shipping discounts to learn more.
For a more accurate quote, use our car shipping calculator. You can also check out all the popular Kentucky car shipping routes.
How to ship a car from Kentucky
Follow these steps to compare auto transport companies and book a reliable car shipper in Kentucky.
- Estimate your shipping cost. Use the moveBuddha car shipping calculator to estimate your route and vehicle type. Shipping a car out of Kentucky typically costs $765 - $1,286, though distance, transport type, and season all affect the final quote.
- Choose open vs enclosed transport. Open transport is the most affordable option for standard vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects luxury, classic, or high-value cars from weather and road debris. This is especially relevant given Kentucky's weather patterns.
- Verify MC/DOT licensing. Ask every carrier for their motor carrier (MC) and USDOT numbers, then verify them on the FMCSA carrier lookup. Legitimate auto transport companies must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Compare shippers and get 3+ quotes. Compare at least three of the 11 car shippers moveBuddha tracks in Kentucky. Request written quotes that specify open vs enclosed transport, pickup windows, and insurance coverage before you book.
- Book an off-peak ship date. Off-peak booking (fall through spring, mid-week dates) typically saves on total cost. From Kentucky, local shipments arrive in 1 - 3 days; coast-to-coast routes commonly need 7 - 14 days.
FAQs
Do Kentucky car shippers offer discounts?
Yes, car shippers in Kentucky offer several discounts: 1 for military members. Compare a few of these providers to find the best combination of savings and service.
How many car shipping companies operate in Kentucky?
moveBuddha tracks 11 car shipping companies operating in Kentucky. Comparing at least three quotes among them can help you find the best combination of price and service for your route.
How long do I have to update my drivers license in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
What percentage of Kentucky car shippers offer guaranteed delivery?
Only 28% of car shipping companies nationwide offer guaranteed delivery dates. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, Nexus Auto Transport is worth considering.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car in Kentucky?
The cheapest company to ship your car in Kentucky depends on the services and transport type you choose, so use our car shipping calculator to compare rates for your specific move. Remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best one. 12 car shippers in Kentucky offer discounts like military, student, or AAA savings that can help lower your total cost.