Alabama to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 499 miles from Alabama to Kentucky usually costs between $612 and $883. Transit time is about one–four days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Alabama car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Alabama to Kentucky car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Alabama to Kentucky:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Alabama
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Alabama who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars
US AutoLogistics
3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
usal.com
3.52 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 357779
Global Auto Transportation
1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
globalautotransportation.com/birmingham-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
The company generally provides responsive service with competitive pricing and timely vehicle deliveries, though some customers experienced issues with customer service and communication during the process.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
Vehicle Transport Services
2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US
vehicletransportservices.co/birmingham-alabama-companies
3.5 / 5.0
Vehicle Transport Services Birmingham has garnered positive feedback for their excellent shipping service and overall customer satisfaction. However, there are notable concerns about their customer support being unhelpful and lacking adequate time to address customer inquiries regarding future shipments.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2249744
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Alabama 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.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 499 extra miles on your car to travel from Alabama to Kentucky. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Alabama to Kentucky. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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!
Alabama to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Alabama and Kentucky. The typical distance is about 499 miles, with shipping times generally falling between one and four days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Kentucky
| From Alabama to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Louisville, KY | $443 – $630 | 285 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Lexington, KY | $494 – $668 | 322 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Bowling Green, KY | $383 – $507 | 175 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Owensboro, KY | $456 – $583 | 243 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Covington, KY | $570 – $757 | 379 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Kentucky
| From Alabama to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Louisville, KY | $583 – $824 | 454 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Lexington, KY | $624 – $858 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Bowling Green, KY | $515 – $738 | 344 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Owensboro, KY | $589 – $774 | 412 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Covington, KY | $666 – $884 | 549 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Kentucky
| From Alabama to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Louisville, KY | $511 – $772 | 365 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Lexington, KY | $600 – $782 | 403 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Bowling Green, KY | $410 – $559 | 256 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Owensboro, KY | $470 – $695 | 323 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Covington, KY | $619 – $833 | 460 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Kentucky
| From Alabama to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Louisville, KY | $668 – $998 | 620 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Lexington, KY | $753 – $999 | 658 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Bowling Green, KY | $602 – $854 | 510 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Owensboro, KY | $667 – $980 | 579 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Covington, KY | $746 – $1,129 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Kentucky
| From Alabama to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Louisville, KY | $577 – $782 | 421 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Lexington, KY | $595 – $833 | 458 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Bowling Green, KY | $489 – $701 | 312 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Owensboro, KY | $547 – $741 | 379 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Covington, KY | $602 – $828 | 516 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Kentucky
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Alabama to Kentucky usually runs between $765 and $1,104.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Kentucky
If you’re shipping a car from the Heart of Dixie to the Bluegrass State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Alabama to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The route from Alabama to Kentucky is about 499 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Alabama more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Alabama and Kentucky may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- 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 Alabama to Kentucky should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Kentucky, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- 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 Alabama
More than 5.1 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie. Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky
About 4.5 million people are living in the Bluegrass State. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kentucky 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 Alabama 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 Alabama and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama 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 Alabama.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
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 Alabama to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Kentucky is about 499 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Alabama to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
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 Alabama, 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama 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 Alabama to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Kentucky costs $612 to $883.
