Alabama to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 499 miles from Alabama to Kentucky ranges from $662 to $883 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Refundable deposit
  • Discounts available
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
  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

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

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

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

After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Alabama to Kentucky:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for safety & reliability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote 224-206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote 224-206-5633
Best for overall value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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
read our full review
Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Top local car shippers in Alabama

If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Alabama that can transport your vehicle to Kentucky:

  1. US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
  2. Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  3. Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars

US AutoLogistics

3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.52 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 235-7002

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping

Additional Information

Global Auto Transportation

1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (888) 803-0501

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats

Additional Information

Vehicle Transport Services

2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (205) 623-3232

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

How we chose the best car shipping companiestoggle

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 your move takes you from Alabama to Kentucky, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

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 can also hire someone to drive the car from Alabama to Kentucky for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves 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!

Alabama 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 Alabama and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 499 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days.

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Kentuckytoggle

From Alabama to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Louisville, KY $494 – $661 285 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntsville, AL to Lexington, KY $519 – $680 322 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntsville, AL to Bowling Green, KY $394 – $560 175 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntsville, AL to Owensboro, KY $461 – $625 243 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntsville, AL to Covington, KY $610 – $762 379 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Kentuckytoggle

From Alabama to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Louisville, KY $624 – $839 454 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Lexington, KY $656 – $856 492 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Bowling Green, KY $567 – $738 344 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Owensboro, KY $588 – $863 412 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Covington, KY $645 – $966 549 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Kentuckytoggle

From Alabama to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Louisville, KY $548 – $788 365 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Lexington, KY $612 – $830 403 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Bowling Green, KY $457 – $587 256 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Owensboro, KY $509 – $708 323 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Covington, KY $669 – $839 460 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Kentuckytoggle

From Alabama to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Louisville, KY $746 – $1,007 620 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Lexington, KY $729 – $1,038 658 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Bowling Green, KY $678 – $951 510 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Owensboro, KY $686 – $989 579 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Covington, KY $760 – $1,152 715 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Kentuckytoggle

From Alabama to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Louisville, KY $636 – $797 421 miles 1 – 4 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Lexington, KY $618 – $918 458 miles 1 – 4 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Bowling Green, KY $514 – $673 312 miles 1 – 4 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Owensboro, KY $610 – $795 379 miles 1 – 4 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Covington, KY $645 – $915 516 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Kentuckytoggle

Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.

For this route from Alabama to Kentucky, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $828–$1,104.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Kentucky

When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Kentucky.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Kentucky spans approximately 499 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Alabama in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
  • 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: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–four days, but you can pay for expedited service.

Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know

Once you arrive in Kentucky, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.

  • 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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

Shipping a car from Alabama to Kentucky costs $662 to $883.

Helpful Alabama resources