Kentucky to North Dakota Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,270 miles from Kentucky to North Dakota ranges from $937 to $1,435. Expect the trip to take around three–eight 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Kentucky
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Kentucky that can transport your vehicle to North Dakota:
- 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
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 North Dakota
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Kentucky to North Dakota, 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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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,270 miles on your car going from Kentucky to North Dakota. 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 Kentucky to North Dakota, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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 North Dakota auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Kentucky and North Dakota. The average journey covers about 1,270 miles and takes roughly three to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to North Dakota
| From Kentucky to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Fargo, ND | $804 – $1,233 | 943 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Louisville, KY to Bismarck, ND | $850 – $1,415 | 1,135 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Louisville, KY to Grand Forks, ND | $813 – $1,275 | 1,023 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Louisville, KY to Minot, ND | $918 – $1,493 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Louisville, KY to West Fargo, ND | $820 – $1,233 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to North Dakota
| From Kentucky to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Fargo, ND | $830 – $1,367 | 1,014 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to Bismarck, ND | $976 – $1,464 | 1,206 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to Grand Forks, ND | $773 – $1,236 | 1,093 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to Minot, ND | $966 – $1,537 | 1,278 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to West Fargo, ND | $822 – $1,353 | 1,019 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to North Dakota
| From Kentucky to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Fargo, ND | $813 – $1,262 | 1,064 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Bismarck, ND | $985 – $1,435 | 1,256 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Grand Forks, ND | $877 – $1,442 | 1,144 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Minot, ND | $964 – $1,518 | 1,328 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to West Fargo, ND | $830 – $1,314 | 1,069 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to North Dakota
| From Kentucky to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Fargo, ND | $860 – $1,283 | 969 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Bismarck, ND | $859 – $1,387 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Grand Forks, ND | $805 – $1,262 | 1,049 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Minot, ND | $976 – $1,391 | 1,233 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Owensboro, KY to West Fargo, ND | $811 – $1,296 | 974 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to North Dakota
| From Kentucky to North Dakota | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Fargo, ND | $828 – $1,297 | 943 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Covington, KY to Bismarck, ND | $921 – $1,345 | 1,135 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to Grand Forks, ND | $830 – $1,367 | 1,023 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to Minot, ND | $937 – $1,479 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to West Fargo, ND | $796 – $1,246 | 947 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to North Dakota
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 North Dakota, expect costs to range from $1,171 to $1,794.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to North Dakota
If you’re shipping a car from the Bluegrass State to the Peace Garden State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- 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 North Dakota.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Kentucky to North Dakota involves roughly 1,270 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Kentucky 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 Kentucky and North Dakota.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
North Dakota vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to North Dakota, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
- Vehicle inspection: As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
- Driver’s license: If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
- Additional taxes: Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
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 North Dakota
About 783,926 people are living in the Peace Garden State. North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in North Dakota?
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 North Dakota.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to North Dakota?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to North Dakota, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Dakota, 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.
North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to North Dakota?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to North Dakota is about 1,270 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Kentucky to North Dakota.
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.
As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in North Dakota?
If you’ve just moved to North Dakota, visit a Driver's License and Testing office, make an appointment for road tests, bring proof of current name and date of birth, and pay applicable fees to get a new driver’s license.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Dakota after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to North Dakota after purchasing it.
Proof of taxes paid in the state of purchase is required to be exempt from North Dakota excise tax for out-of-state vehicle purchases. No tax reciprocity for foreign purchases, taxes due at 5% on purchase price (based on exchange rate).
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and North Dakota to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to North Dakota?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to North Dakota costs $937 to $1,435.
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