Kentucky to Pennsylvania Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 554 miles from Kentucky to Pennsylvania falls between $711 and $988. Delivery typically takes one–six days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- 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
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Kentucky can deliver your vehicle to Pennsylvania:
- 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 Pennsylvania
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 554 miles on your car to travel between Kentucky and Pennsylvania. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. The average travel distance is about 554 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Pennsylvania
| From Kentucky to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Philadelphia, PA | $783 – $1,070 | 672 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Louisville, KY to Pittsburgh, PA | $616 – $827 | 388 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Erie, PA | $654 – $837 | 445 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Allentown, PA | $775 – $1,124 | 651 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Louisville, KY to Reading, PA | $776 – $1,023 | 629 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Pennsylvania
| From Kentucky to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Philadelphia, PA | $731 – $1,002 | 640 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Lexington, KY to Pittsburgh, PA | $536 – $780 | 371 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Erie, PA | $617 – $854 | 428 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Allentown, PA | $738 – $976 | 618 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Lexington, KY to Reading, PA | $743 – $949 | 592 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Pennsylvania
| From Kentucky to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Philadelphia, PA | $851 – $1,241 | 791 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Pittsburgh, PA | $632 – $860 | 507 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Erie, PA | $725 – $988 | 564 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Allentown, PA | $794 – $1,217 | 778 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Reading, PA | $762 – $1,175 | 748 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Pennsylvania
| From Kentucky to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Philadelphia, PA | $843 – $1,181 | 777 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Pittsburgh, PA | $623 – $918 | 493 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Erie, PA | $669 – $969 | 550 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Allentown, PA | $811 – $1,150 | 756 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Reading, PA | $833 – $1,198 | 735 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Pennsylvania
| From Kentucky to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Philadelphia, PA | $662 – $959 | 573 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Covington, KY to Pittsburgh, PA | $504 – $687 | 289 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Erie, PA | $567 – $775 | 346 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Allentown, PA | $718 – $988 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Covington, KY to Reading, PA | $679 – $891 | 531 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania, the price usually falls between $889 and $1,235.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to Pennsylvania
If you’re shipping a car from the Bluegrass State to the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Kentucky to Pennsylvania involves roughly 554 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Kentucky around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Kentucky and Pennsylvania may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–six days, but expedited options cost more.
Pennsylvania vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Pennsylvania, 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: When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- Driver’s license: When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
- Additional taxes: New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
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 Pennsylvania
About 13.0 million people are living in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Pennsylvania, 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.
When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Pennsylvania is about 554 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 Pennsylvania.
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 moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Pennsylvania?
When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Pennsylvania after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Pennsylvania after purchasing it.
New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Pennsylvania to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to Pennsylvania costs $711 to $988.
6709 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
9900 Corporate Campus Dr #3000, Louisville, KY 40223 US
501 Lake Shore Dr, Kuttawa, KY 42055 US
6712 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
1800 E Blue Lick Rd, Suite 7, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 US