Maryland to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 545 miles from Maryland to Kentucky ranges from $692 to $938. Expect the trip to take around one–six days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Maryland 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 Maryland to Kentucky 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 Maryland to Kentucky:
- 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in Maryland
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Maryland who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Baltimore Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Jdf International Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- S J Trucking & Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- All State to State Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Baltimore Auto Shipping Group
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-maryland/baltimore
3.64 / 5.0
Customers appreciate Auto Shipping Group for their excellent reliability and customer service, highlighting clear communication and professionalism. However, some feedback indicates issues with the demeanor of a customer representative.
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
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Jdf International Transport
1301 York Road Suite 800, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 US
jdftransports.com
3.58 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the affordable pricing of the products offered. While the reviews predominantly highlight this strength, more detailed feedback might provide a fuller picture of customer experiences.
Services Offered
- International shipping
- Trailers
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3156504
Right Way Auto Transport Inc
1911 East Old Philadelphia Road, Elkton, MD 21921 US
rightwayautotransport.com
3.56 / 5.0
Customers largely appreciate the professionalism, attentiveness, and friendly service provided by the team. They highlight specific individuals for their outstanding customer interaction, creating a positive buying experience. However, a serious concern was raised regarding one driver's unsafe behavior, which detracted from the company's reputation.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 355181
S J Trucking & Logistics
140 Western Maryland Pkwy Unit D, Hagerstown, MD 21740 US
sjtal.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the friendly and helpful customer service, but express frustration with long shipping times, high prices, and difficulty in contacting the company or accessing its office.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: Y0084838637
All State to State Auto Transport
4 Dwelling House Ct, Catonsville, MD 21228 US
allstatetostateautotransport.com/contact-us
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
Alternative Business Names
- Bismillah Transport, LLC
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 Maryland to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Maryland to Kentucky, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
|
|
 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 545 extra miles on your car to travel from Maryland to Kentucky. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Maryland to Kentucky for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
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.
Maryland to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Maryland and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 545 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Washington DC, MD to Kentucky
| From Maryland to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC, MD to Louisville, KY | $738 – $1,079 | 607 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Lexington, KY | $678 – $887 | 512 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Bowling Green, KY | $765 – $1,084 | 695 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Owensboro, KY | $745 – $1,186 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Covington, KY | $678 – $878 | 507 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baltimore, MD to Kentucky
| From Maryland to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD to Louisville, KY | $724 – $1,017 | 610 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Lexington, KY | $645 – $985 | 538 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Bowling Green, KY | $757 – $1,073 | 698 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Owensboro, KY | $807 – $1,129 | 713 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Covington, KY | $691 – $869 | 510 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MD to Kentucky
| From Maryland to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD to Louisville, KY | $731 – $1,007 | 602 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Lexington, KY | $685 – $938 | 531 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Bowling Green, KY | $741 – $1,062 | 690 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Owensboro, KY | $799 – $1,163 | 706 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Covington, KY | $652 – $951 | 503 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Germantown, MD to Kentucky
| From Maryland to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown, MD to Louisville, KY | $715 – $949 | 580 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Lexington, KY | $691 – $869 | 509 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Bowling Green, KY | $798 – $1,102 | 668 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Owensboro, KY | $772 – $1,117 | 684 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Covington, KY | $636 – $856 | 481 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Silver Spring, MD to Kentucky
| From Maryland to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD to Louisville, KY | $715 – $989 | 598 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Lexington, KY | $651 – $891 | 527 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Bowling Green, KY | $749 – $1,150 | 686 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Owensboro, KY | $799 – $1,096 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Covington, KY | $643 – $865 | 499 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maryland to Kentucky
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Maryland to Kentucky, the price usually falls between $865 and $1,173.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Line State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Maryland to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The trip from Maryland to Kentucky covers roughly 545 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Maryland around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Maryland and Kentucky 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.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Kentucky, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Maryland
More than 6.2 million people call Maryland home. Nicknamed the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky
About 4.5 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Maryland and delivery in Kentucky?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Maryland and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maryland to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maryland to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, which you should verify before loading your car in Maryland.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Maryland to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maryland to Kentucky is about 545 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Maryland to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
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 I have a driver’s license in Maryland, will I need one in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
If I bought a car in Maryland, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Maryland to Kentucky after purchasing it.
In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Maryland and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to Kentucky 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 Maryland to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Maryland to Kentucky costs $692 to $938.
