Indiana to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 262 miles from Indiana to Kentucky usually costs between $458 and $583. 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 Indiana 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 Indiana to Kentucky car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Indiana 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 Indiana
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Indiana can deliver your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Clr Auto Transport: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- Reindeer Auto Relocation: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Classic Car Carrier, Inc.: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper 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 Indiana to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Indiana 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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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 262 miles to your vehicle on the route from Indiana to Kentucky. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Indiana 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
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Indiana 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 Indiana and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 262 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Indianapolis, IN to Kentucky
| From Indiana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Louisville, KY | $315 – $473 | 115 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Indianapolis, IN to Lexington, KY | $387 – $567 | 189 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Indianapolis, IN to Bowling Green, KY | $451 – $561 | 235 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Indianapolis, IN to Owensboro, KY | $411 – $555 | 170 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Indianapolis, IN to Covington, KY | $342 – $517 | 113 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Wayne, IN to Kentucky
| From Indiana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne, IN to Louisville, KY | $429 – $596 | 236 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to Lexington, KY | $441 – $607 | 260 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to Bowling Green, KY | $523 – $737 | 356 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to Owensboro, KY | $476 – $644 | 295 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to Covington, KY | $411 – $540 | 180 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Evansville, IN to Kentucky
| From Indiana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN to Louisville, KY | $343 – $518 | 122 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Evansville, IN to Lexington, KY | $443 – $571 | 199 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Evansville, IN to Bowling Green, KY | $321 – $491 | 109 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Evansville, IN to Owensboro, KY | $189 – $328 | 40 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Evansville, IN to Covington, KY | $458 – $589 | 219 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Bend, IN to Kentucky
| From Indiana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend, IN to Louisville, KY | $441 – $566 | 258 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| South Bend, IN to Lexington, KY | $476 – $676 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| South Bend, IN to Bowling Green, KY | $588 – $789 | 377 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| South Bend, IN to Owensboro, KY | $480 – $649 | 316 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| South Bend, IN to Covington, KY | $431 – $596 | 247 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Carmel, IN to Kentucky
| From Indiana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel, IN to Louisville, KY | $358 – $528 | 133 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Carmel, IN to Lexington, KY | $437 – $550 | 202 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Carmel, IN to Bowling Green, KY | $454 – $613 | 253 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Carmel, IN to Owensboro, KY | $401 – $571 | 192 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Carmel, IN to Covington, KY | $326 – $528 | 123 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Indiana 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 Indiana to Kentucky usually runs between $573 and $729.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Indiana to Kentucky
When arranging car transport from the Hoosier State to the Bluegrass State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- 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 route from Indiana to Kentucky is about 262 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Indiana in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Indiana and Kentucky.
- 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 Indiana 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
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 Indiana
More than 6.8 million people call Indiana home. Nicknamed the Hoosier State. In the past, most of Indiana had cold winters and hot, wet summers. Only the very bottom of the state had a different climate with more rain. But currently, about half of Indiana now has that rainier climate. The temperatures are different in the northern and southern parts 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 Indiana 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 Indiana and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Indiana to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Indiana 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 Indiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Indiana's minimum auto insurance coverage is $25,000/$50,000/$10,000, providing $25,000 per person and a maximum of $50,000 per incident for bodily injury, along with $10,000 for property damage in the event of a covered accident. Liability coverage in Indiana includes property damage, protecting your assets in case you're legally responsible for damages to another party's property, and bodily injury, covering expenses related to harm sustained by others in a covered 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 Indiana to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Indiana to Kentucky is about 262 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Indiana to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Indiana does not mandate safety inspections for vehicles. However, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires a VIN inspection for vehicles not previously registered in the state.
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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana 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 Indiana and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Indiana to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Indiana 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 Indiana to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Indiana to Kentucky costs $458 to $583.
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