Kentucky to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 499 miles from Kentucky to Alabama ranges from $600 to $883. Expect the trip to take around one–four days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Kentucky 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 Kentucky to Alabama 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 Kentucky to Alabama:
- 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 Kentucky
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Kentucky who can get your vehicle to Alabama:
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Louisville Auto Shipping Group: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Highway Express Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Jack Cooper Transport
6709 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
jackcooper.com
3.66 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Louisville Auto Shipping Group
9900 Corporate Campus Dr #3000, Louisville, KY 40223 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-kentucky/louisville
3.56 / 5.0
Customers have reported a positive experience with Louisville Auto Shipping Group, highlighting their excellent communication and customer focus. However, there were significant concerns regarding the professionalism of a transport coordinator, which detracted from the overall experience.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC
501 Lake Shore Dr, Kuttawa, KY 42055 US
safewayautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Safe Way Auto Transport generally receives positive feedback for its excellent communication, timely vehicle delivery, and overall professional service. However, some customers have reported issues with missed pickups and unresponsive customer support, leading to significant frustration and unsatisfactory experiences.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2232026
Ceva Logistics
6712 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
cevalogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the friendly staff and timely offloading services. However, issues with delivery reliability, slow check-in processes, and poor communication have been highlighted.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 187774
Highway Express Inc
1800 E Blue Lick Rd, Suite 7, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 US
highwayexpressinc.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
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 Kentucky to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Kentucky for a move to Alabama, 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 499 miles to your car on the trip from Kentucky to Alabama. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Kentucky to Alabama 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 approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Kentucky to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Kentucky and Alabama. The average travel distance is about 499 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Alabama
| From Kentucky to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Huntsville, AL | $484 – $617 | 289 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Montgomery, AL | $589 – $799 | 455 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Birmingham, AL | $516 – $757 | 365 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Mobile, AL | $675 – $1,018 | 621 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Louisville, KY to Tuscaloosa, AL | $600 – $782 | 420 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Alabama
| From Kentucky to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Huntsville, AL | $494 – $731 | 327 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Montgomery, AL | $643 – $807 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Birmingham, AL | $571 – $774 | 403 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Mobile, AL | $760 – $1,009 | 659 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Lexington, KY to Tuscaloosa, AL | $595 – $824 | 458 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Alabama
| From Kentucky to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Huntsville, AL | $406 – $512 | 180 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Montgomery, AL | $535 – $668 | 344 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Birmingham, AL | $410 – $564 | 255 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Mobile, AL | $646 – $837 | 511 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Tuscaloosa, AL | $504 – $648 | 310 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Alabama
| From Kentucky to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Huntsville, AL | $422 – $589 | 247 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Montgomery, AL | $560 – $814 | 412 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Birmingham, AL | $484 – $655 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Mobile, AL | $688 – $913 | 579 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Tuscaloosa, AL | $587 – $757 | 378 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Alabama
| From Kentucky to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Huntsville, AL | $587 – $772 | 385 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Montgomery, AL | $631 – $895 | 550 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Covington, KY to Birmingham, AL | $613 – $791 | 461 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Mobile, AL | $769 – $1,129 | 717 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Covington, KY to Tuscaloosa, AL | $659 – $845 | 517 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Alabama
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Kentucky to Alabama, the price usually falls between $750 and $1,104.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to Alabama
If you’re shipping a car from the Bluegrass State to the Heart of Dixie, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Kentucky to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from Kentucky to Alabama spans about 499 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Kentucky, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Kentucky and Alabama and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–four days, but expedited options cost more.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Alabama, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
- Additional taxes: In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Kentucky
More than 4.5 million people call Kentucky home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Alabama
About 5.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Alabama?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Kentucky and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Alabama, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Alabama, which you should verify before loading your car in Kentucky.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Alabama 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 Kentucky to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either 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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Alabama?
When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Alabama after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Alabama after purchasing it.
In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Alabama 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 Kentucky to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to Alabama costs $600 to $883.
