Kentucky to Idaho Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,981 miles from Kentucky to Idaho usually costs between $1,264 and $1,881. Transit time is about three–eleven days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Kentucky to Idaho:
- 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 Idaho:
- 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 Idaho
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Kentucky to Idaho, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,981 extra miles on your car to travel from Kentucky to Idaho. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Kentucky to Idaho 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
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.
Kentucky to Idaho 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 Idaho. The average travel distance is about 1,981 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Idaho
| From Kentucky to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Boise, ID | $1,258 – $1,865 | 1,877 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Louisville, KY to Meridian, ID | $1,209 – $1,920 | 1,885 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Louisville, KY to Nampa, ID | $1,271 – $1,847 | 1,894 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Louisville, KY to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,121 – $1,581 | 1,655 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Louisville, KY to Caldwell, ID | $1,264 – $1,824 | 1,901 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Idaho
| From Kentucky to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Boise, ID | $1,302 – $1,805 | 1,951 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lexington, KY to Meridian, ID | $1,214 – $1,862 | 1,959 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lexington, KY to Nampa, ID | $1,252 – $1,957 | 1,967 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lexington, KY to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,208 – $1,788 | 1,729 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Lexington, KY to Caldwell, ID | $1,314 – $1,843 | 1,975 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Idaho
| From Kentucky to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Boise, ID | $1,202 – $1,919 | 1,906 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Meridian, ID | $1,252 – $1,919 | 1,914 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Nampa, ID | $1,277 – $1,938 | 1,922 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,167 – $1,581 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Caldwell, ID | $1,214 – $1,862 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Idaho
| From Kentucky to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Boise, ID | $1,271 – $1,792 | 1,827 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Meridian, ID | $1,258 – $1,865 | 1,835 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Nampa, ID | $1,283 – $1,884 | 1,844 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,190 – $1,664 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Caldwell, ID | $1,295 – $1,811 | 1,851 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Idaho
| From Kentucky to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Boise, ID | $1,239 – $1,824 | 1,931 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Covington, KY to Meridian, ID | $1,214 – $1,900 | 1,939 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Covington, KY to Nampa, ID | $1,264 – $1,824 | 1,947 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Covington, KY to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,256 – $1,754 | 1,709 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Covington, KY to Caldwell, ID | $1,239 – $1,805 | 1,955 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Idaho
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 Kentucky to Idaho, expect costs to range from $1,580 to $2,351.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to Idaho
When transporting your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Gem 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 Kentucky to Idaho.
- Distance and route: The route from Kentucky to Idaho is about 1,981 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Kentucky more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Kentucky and Idaho and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–eleven days, but expedited options cost more.
Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Idaho means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
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 Idaho
About 2.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Idaho?
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 Idaho.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to Idaho?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Idaho?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Idaho 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 Kentucky to Idaho.
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 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.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Idaho?
If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Idaho after purchasing it.
New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Idaho?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Idaho 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 Idaho?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to Idaho costs $1,264 to $1,881.
