Iowa to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 665 miles from Iowa to Kentucky usually costs between $745 and $999. Transit time is about one–six 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to Kentucky car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa 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 Iowa
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Iowa who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- A A All States Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Aaall States Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Nimble Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
A A All States Auto Transport
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
autotransport.company
3.58 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
Aaall States Transport
214 JACKSON ST, SUITE 1468 SIOUX CITY, IA 51102 US
autotransport.company
3.5 / 5.0
While some customers report frustrating experiences with delivery delays and a refusal to wear masks by drivers, others are satisfied with undamaged deliveries and commend the customer service provided by the office staff and drivers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2230973
Nimble Inc
910 23rd Ave # 200, Coralville, IA 52241 US
nimbleinc.net
3.5 / 5.0
Nimble, Inc. is faced with serious concern regarding business practices, particularly around unpaid freight charges and customer service experiences. While there are some positive comments about their staff, numerous reviews highlight major issues related to financial responsibility and operational difficulties during service deliveries.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2245757
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 Iowa to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Iowa 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
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 665 miles to your car on the trip from Iowa to Kentucky. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Iowa to Kentucky. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Iowa to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Iowa and Kentucky. The average journey covers about 665 miles and takes roughly one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Kentucky
| From Iowa to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Louisville, KY | $708 – $961 | 588 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Lexington, KY | $695 – $1,009 | 662 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Bowling Green, KY | $746 – $1,045 | 637 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Owensboro, KY | $671 – $932 | 556 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to Covington, KY | $708 – $932 | 586 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Kentucky
| From Iowa to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Louisville, KY | $621 – $837 | 501 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Lexington, KY | $660 – $942 | 575 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Bowling Green, KY | $691 – $941 | 560 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Owensboro, KY | $631 – $883 | 491 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Covington, KY | $602 – $862 | 500 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Kentucky
| From Iowa to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA to Louisville, KY | $600 – $822 | 422 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Lexington, KY | $612 – $866 | 499 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Bowling Green, KY | $631 – $849 | 482 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Owensboro, KY | $589 – $830 | 409 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Covington, KY | $554 – $822 | 420 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sioux City, IA to Kentucky
| From Iowa to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA to Louisville, KY | $734 – $1,162 | 765 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Lexington, KY | $790 – $1,218 | 839 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Bowling Green, KY | $762 – $1,108 | 802 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Owensboro, KY | $748 – $1,119 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Sioux City, IA to Covington, KY | $749 – $1,061 | 763 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Kentucky
| From Iowa to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA to Louisville, KY | $600 – $815 | 476 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Lexington, KY | $684 – $941 | 551 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Bowling Green, KY | $646 – $938 | 548 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Owensboro, KY | $583 – $841 | 467 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Iowa City, IA to Covington, KY | $631 – $832 | 475 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Kentucky
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 Iowa to Kentucky, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $931–$1,249.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Iowa to Kentucky
When moving your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Bluegrass State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to 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 Iowa to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Iowa to Kentucky involves roughly 665 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Iowa more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Iowa and Kentucky may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–six days, but expedited options cost more.
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 Iowa
More than 3.2 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed the Hawkeye State. Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
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 Iowa 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 Iowa and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa 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 Iowa.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an 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 Iowa to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Kentucky is about 665 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Iowa to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
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 Iowa, 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa 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 Iowa and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa 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 Iowa to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Iowa to Kentucky costs $745 to $999.
