Delaware to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 612 miles from Delaware to Kentucky ranges from $698 to $991 and takes one–six 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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
- 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 Delaware
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Delaware that can transport your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Moverjet Logistics LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Pride Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Colibri Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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 Delaware to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Delaware to Kentucky, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 612 extra miles on your car to travel from Delaware to Kentucky. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Delaware to Kentucky is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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!
Delaware to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Delaware and Kentucky. The trip typically spans 612 miles and takes about one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to Kentucky
| From Delaware to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, DE to Louisville, KY | $775 – $1,034 | 680 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Lexington, KY | $698 – $991 | 608 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Bowling Green, KY | $735 – $1,131 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Owensboro, KY | $813 – $1,093 | 783 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Wilmington, DE to Covington, KY | $659 – $981 | 568 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dover, DE to Kentucky
| From Delaware to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE to Louisville, KY | $752 – $1,013 | 692 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Dover, DE to Lexington, KY | $677 – $941 | 620 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Dover, DE to Bowling Green, KY | $758 – $1,162 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dover, DE to Owensboro, KY | $766 – $1,116 | 795 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dover, DE to Covington, KY | $675 – $953 | 594 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Newark, DE to Kentucky
| From Delaware to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark, DE to Louisville, KY | $740 – $1,084 | 667 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Newark, DE to Lexington, KY | $669 – $992 | 596 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Newark, DE to Bowling Green, KY | $782 – $1,097 | 755 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Newark, DE to Owensboro, KY | $782 – $1,120 | 771 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Newark, DE to Covington, KY | $679 – $906 | 551 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Middletown, DE to Kentucky
| From Delaware to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown, DE to Louisville, KY | $737 – $1,120 | 682 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Middletown, DE to Lexington, KY | $698 – $941 | 611 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Middletown, DE to Bowling Green, KY | $813 – $1,127 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Middletown, DE to Owensboro, KY | $766 – $1,196 | 796 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Middletown, DE to Covington, KY | $703 – $973 | 583 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bear, DE to Kentucky
| From Delaware to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear, DE to Louisville, KY | $760 – $1,120 | 677 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bear, DE to Lexington, KY | $684 – $1,040 | 606 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bear, DE to Bowling Green, KY | $813 – $1,075 | 765 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bear, DE to Owensboro, KY | $773 – $1,196 | 781 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bear, DE to Covington, KY | $675 – $973 | 578 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Delaware to Kentucky
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Delaware to Kentucky, expect costs to range from $873 to $1,239.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Delaware to Kentucky
When arranging car transport from the First State to the Bluegrass State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 Delaware to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from Delaware to Kentucky spans approximately 612 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Delaware in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Delaware to Kentucky, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–six days, while expedited service costs more.
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 Delaware
More than 1.0 million people call Delaware home. Nicknamed the First State. Almost all of Delaware is a part of the Atlantic coastal plain, the effects of the ocean moderate its climate. The southern portion of the state has a milder climate than the northern portion of the state.
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 Delaware 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 Delaware and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Delaware to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Delaware 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 Delaware.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for 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 Delaware to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Delaware to Kentucky is about 612 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Delaware to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.
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 Delaware, 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 Delaware, 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 Delaware 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 Delaware and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Delaware to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Delaware 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 Delaware to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Delaware to Kentucky costs $698 to $991.
3422 Old Capitol Trl #2025, Wilmington, DE 19808 US
1007 Orange St 4th floor, Wilmington, DE 19801 US
1225 N King St #340, Wilmington, DE 19801 US
3411 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 US