Idaho to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,981 miles from Idaho to Kentucky typically falls between $1,298 and $1,914. The process usually takes three–eleven days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Idaho 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 Idaho to Kentucky car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Idaho 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 Idaho
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Idaho who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Boise Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Boise Auto Shipping Group
800 W Main St #1460, Boise, ID 83702 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-idaho/auto-shipping-boise
3.62 / 5.0
Auto Shipping Group is generally regarded for their exceptional customer service and communication, though some customers experienced issues with reliability and communication regarding delivery schedules. Overall, most reviews highlight satisfaction with the process, despite some negative experiences with follow-up interactions and delays in service.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- AAA
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Global Auto Transportation
303 N Kimball Pl, Boise, ID 83704 US
globalautotransportation.com/boise-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Customers consistently praised the thorough assistance of the Logistics Coordinator and the professionalism and honesty of the drivers. However, experiences were marred by unexpected fees and unprofessional handling of customer inquiries, particularly regarding vehicle conditions and charges.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
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 Idaho to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Idaho 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.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,981 miles on your car going from Idaho to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Idaho to Kentucky, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Idaho 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 Idaho and Kentucky. The average journey covers about 1,981 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Boise, ID to Kentucky
| From Idaho to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Louisville, KY | $1,157 – $1,770 | 1,877 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Boise, ID to Lexington, KY | $1,212 – $1,802 | 1,954 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Boise, ID to Bowling Green, KY | $1,206 – $1,842 | 1,896 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Boise, ID to Owensboro, KY | $1,218 – $1,861 | 1,826 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Boise, ID to Covington, KY | $1,199 – $1,952 | 1,929 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Meridian, ID to Kentucky
| From Idaho to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, ID to Louisville, KY | $1,157 – $1,734 | 1,885 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Meridian, ID to Lexington, KY | $1,273 – $1,914 | 1,962 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Meridian, ID to Bowling Green, KY | $1,249 – $1,896 | 1,904 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Meridian, ID to Owensboro, KY | $1,182 – $1,752 | 1,834 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Meridian, ID to Covington, KY | $1,298 – $1,821 | 1,938 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Nampa, ID to Kentucky
| From Idaho to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa, ID to Louisville, KY | $1,206 – $1,897 | 1,893 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Nampa, ID to Lexington, KY | $1,236 – $1,783 | 1,970 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Nampa, ID to Bowling Green, KY | $1,212 – $1,858 | 1,922 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Nampa, ID to Owensboro, KY | $1,194 – $1,788 | 1,843 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Nampa, ID to Covington, KY | $1,298 – $1,821 | 1,946 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Idaho Falls, ID to Kentucky
| From Idaho to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID to Louisville, KY | $1,199 – $1,693 | 1,655 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Lexington, KY | $1,123 – $1,681 | 1,732 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Bowling Green, KY | $1,107 – $1,561 | 1,674 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Owensboro, KY | $1,084 – $1,693 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Covington, KY | $1,241 – $1,783 | 1,708 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Caldwell, ID to Kentucky
| From Idaho to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell, ID to Louisville, KY | $1,261 – $1,971 | 1,900 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Lexington, KY | $1,175 – $1,896 | 1,977 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Bowling Green, KY | $1,212 – $1,896 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Owensboro, KY | $1,170 – $1,806 | 1,850 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Covington, KY | $1,249 – $1,858 | 1,953 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Idaho 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 Idaho to Kentucky, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,623–$2,393.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Idaho to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Gem State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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 Idaho to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The route from Idaho to Kentucky is about 1,981 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Idaho around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Idaho and Kentucky.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eleven 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 Idaho
More than 2.0 million people call Idaho home. Nicknamed the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
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 Idaho 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 Idaho and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Idaho to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Idaho 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 Idaho.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 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 Idaho to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Idaho to Kentucky is about 1,981 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Idaho to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 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.
If I have a driver’s license in Idaho, 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 Idaho, 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 Idaho 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 Idaho and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho 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 Idaho to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Idaho to Kentucky costs $1,298 to $1,914.
