Kentucky to Texas Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,116 miles from Kentucky to Texas ranges from $888 to $1,446. Expect the trip to take around two–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 Texas 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 Texas car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Kentucky to Texas:
- 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 prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Kentucky that can relocate your vehicle to Texas:
- 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 Texas
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Kentucky to Texas, 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
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,116 extra miles on your car to travel from Kentucky to Texas. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Kentucky to Texas. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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 Texas 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 Texas. The trip typically spans 1,116 miles and takes about two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Texas
| From Kentucky to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Houston, TX | $804 – $1,285 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Louisville, KY to San Antonio, TX | $852 – $1,390 | 1,109 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Louisville, KY to Dallas, TX | $789 – $1,291 | 836 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Louisville, KY to Austin, TX | $848 – $1,264 | 1,031 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Louisville, KY to Fort Worth, TX | $867 – $1,196 | 867 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Texas
| From Kentucky to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Houston, TX | $835 – $1,348 | 989 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Antonio, TX | $932 – $1,375 | 1,147 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to Dallas, TX | $859 – $1,258 | 874 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lexington, KY to Austin, TX | $782 – $1,278 | 1,069 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lexington, KY to Fort Worth, TX | $846 – $1,223 | 905 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Texas
| From Kentucky to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Houston, TX | $781 – $1,180 | 841 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to San Antonio, TX | $848 – $1,343 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Dallas, TX | $762 – $1,209 | 726 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Austin, TX | $830 – $1,313 | 921 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Fort Worth, TX | $843 – $1,138 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Texas
| From Kentucky to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Houston, TX | $826 – $1,233 | 868 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to San Antonio, TX | $864 – $1,251 | 1,026 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Dallas, TX | $811 – $1,232 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Austin, TX | $871 – $1,338 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Fort Worth, TX | $794 – $1,157 | 784 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Texas
| From Kentucky to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Houston, TX | $807 – $1,343 | 1,047 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to San Antonio, TX | $939 – $1,541 | 1,206 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to Dallas, TX | $847 – $1,313 | 932 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Covington, KY to Austin, TX | $905 – $1,390 | 1,127 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Covington, KY to Fort Worth, TX | $788 – $1,259 | 964 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Texas
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 Texas, the price usually falls between $1,110 and $1,808.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to Texas
When moving your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Lone Star State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 Texas.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Kentucky to Texas involves roughly 1,116 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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 Texas and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
Texas vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Texas, 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: Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
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 Texas
About 30.5 million people are living in the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Texas?
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 Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, 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.
Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Texas is about 1,116 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Kentucky to Texas.
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 Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Texas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Texas 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 Texas?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to Texas costs $888 to $1,446.
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