Kentucky to New Jersey Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 680 miles from Kentucky to New Jersey ranges from $733 to $1,071 and takes one–six days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Refundable deposit
  • Discounts available
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our New Jersey to Kentucky car shipping guide.

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The best Kentucky to New Jersey 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 New Jersey:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for safety & reliability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote 224-206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote 224-206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Top local car shippers in Kentucky

Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Kentucky ready to move your vehicle to New Jersey:

  1. Jack Cooper Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
  2. Louisville Auto Shipping Group: 3.56 out of 5 stars
  3. Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  4. Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  5. Highway Express Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Jack Cooper Transport

6709 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US

starstarstarstarstar3.66 / 5.0
Get a Quote (502) 425-2243

Services Offered

  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • RVs
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Pacific Motor Trucking Co.

Louisville Auto Shipping Group

9900 Corporate Campus Dr #3000, Louisville, KY 40223 US

starstarstarstarstar3.56 / 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.

Get a Quote (888) 588-1269

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

Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC

501 Lake Shore Dr, Kuttawa, KY 42055 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (270) 559-2421

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Detailed inspection reports
  • Storage solutions

Additional Information

Ceva Logistics

6712 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (502) 368-1999

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

Highway Express Inc

1800 E Blue Lick Rd, Suite 7, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0
Get a Quote (502) 383-3137

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 New Jersey

Ship it with your movers

If your move takes you from Kentucky to New Jersey, 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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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 680 extra miles on your car to travel from Kentucky to New Jersey. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.

Hire a driver

Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Kentucky to New Jersey. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.

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.

Kentucky to New Jersey auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Kentucky and New Jersey. The trip typically spans 680 miles and takes about one–six days.

Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to New Jersey

From Kentucky to New Jersey Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Louisville, KY to Trenton, NJ $748 – $1,060 692 miles 1 – 6 days
Louisville, KY to Newark, NJ $776 – $1,081 728 miles 1 – 6 days
Louisville, KY to Jersey City, NJ $753 – $1,195 735 miles 1 – 6 days
Louisville, KY to Paterson, NJ $825 – $1,217 755 miles 2 – 7 days
Louisville, KY to Elizabeth, NJ $800 – $1,115 730 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to New Jersey

From Kentucky to New Jersey Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lexington, KY to Trenton, NJ $781 – $1,036 655 miles 1 – 6 days
Lexington, KY to Newark, NJ $778 – $1,125 695 miles 1 – 6 days
Lexington, KY to Jersey City, NJ $743 – $1,083 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Lexington, KY to Paterson, NJ $798 – $1,172 704 miles 1 – 6 days
Lexington, KY to Elizabeth, NJ $786 – $1,114 697 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to New Jersey

From Kentucky to New Jersey Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bowling Green, KY to Trenton, NJ $807 – $1,257 811 miles 2 – 7 days
Bowling Green, KY to Newark, NJ $775 – $1,206 855 miles 2 – 7 days
Bowling Green, KY to Jersey City, NJ $808 – $1,231 855 miles 2 – 7 days
Bowling Green, KY to Paterson, NJ $857 – $1,255 856 miles 2 – 7 days
Bowling Green, KY to Elizabeth, NJ $783 – $1,268 857 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to New Jersey

From Kentucky to New Jersey Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Owensboro, KY to Trenton, NJ $761 – $1,179 798 miles 2 – 7 days
Owensboro, KY to Newark, NJ $828 – $1,275 833 miles 2 – 7 days
Owensboro, KY to Jersey City, NJ $836 – $1,178 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Owensboro, KY to Paterson, NJ $816 – $1,231 860 miles 2 – 7 days
Owensboro, KY to Elizabeth, NJ $796 – $1,166 836 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to New Jersey

From Kentucky to New Jersey Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Covington, KY to Trenton, NJ $713 – $967 594 miles 1 – 6 days
Covington, KY to Newark, NJ $745 – $1,063 629 miles 1 – 6 days
Covington, KY to Jersey City, NJ $715 – $1,032 637 miles 1 – 6 days
Covington, KY to Paterson, NJ $728 – $1,057 656 miles 1 – 6 days
Covington, KY to Elizabeth, NJ $752 – $990 632 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to New Jersey

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 Kentucky to New Jersey, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $916–$1,339.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to New Jersey

If you’re shipping a car from the Bluegrass State to the Garden State, keep these cost factors in mind:

  • 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 vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to New Jersey.
  • Distance and route: The trip from Kentucky to New Jersey covers roughly 680 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
  • 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: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Kentucky to New Jersey, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
  • Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–six days, but you can pay for expedited service.

New Jersey vehicle regulations you need to know

To drive legally after your move to New Jersey, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.

  • Car insurance requirements: In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.
  • Vehicle inspection: If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
  • Driver’s license: As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
  • Additional taxes: New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.

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 New Jersey

About 9.3 million people are living in the Garden State. New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to New Jersey?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to New Jersey, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to New Jersey, 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.

In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.

How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to New Jersey?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to New Jersey is about 680 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Kentucky to New Jersey.

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.

If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.

If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in New Jersey?

As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.

If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in New Jersey after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to New Jersey after purchasing it.

New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and New Jersey to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to New Jersey?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

Shipping a car from Kentucky to New Jersey costs $733 to $1,071.

Helpful Kentucky resources