Minnesota to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 963 miles from Minnesota to Kentucky ranges from $813 to $1,286. Expect the trip to take around two–seven 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 Kentucky to Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Kentucky:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Minnesota
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Minnesota ready to move your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Express Auto Transport Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 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 Minnesota to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Minnesota to Kentucky, 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 963 miles on your car to travel between Minnesota and Kentucky. 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 Minnesota to Kentucky, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Minnesota 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 Minnesota and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 963 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to Kentucky
| From Minnesota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN to Louisville, KY | $776 – $1,097 | 709 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Lexington, KY | $779 – $1,136 | 783 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Bowling Green, KY | $790 – $1,206 | 829 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Owensboro, KY | $786 – $1,119 | 734 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Covington, KY | $717 – $1,033 | 708 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to Kentucky
| From Minnesota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul, MN to Louisville, KY | $728 – $1,032 | 699 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Lexington, KY | $772 – $1,061 | 774 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Bowling Green, KY | $770 – $1,096 | 819 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Owensboro, KY | $784 – $1,022 | 724 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Covington, KY | $758 – $1,053 | 698 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rochester, MN to Kentucky
| From Minnesota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN to Louisville, KY | $689 – $1,025 | 647 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rochester, MN to Lexington, KY | $717 – $1,054 | 721 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rochester, MN to Bowling Green, KY | $734 – $1,162 | 767 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rochester, MN to Owensboro, KY | $738 – $1,029 | 672 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Rochester, MN to Covington, KY | $696 – $1,035 | 646 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bloomington, MN to Kentucky
| From Minnesota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, MN to Louisville, KY | $731 – $1,108 | 714 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Lexington, KY | $749 – $1,193 | 789 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Bowling Green, KY | $806 – $1,136 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Owensboro, KY | $733 – $1,119 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Covington, KY | $739 – $1,043 | 713 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Duluth, MN to Kentucky
| From Minnesota to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN to Louisville, KY | $803 – $1,173 | 769 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Duluth, MN to Lexington, KY | $822 – $1,159 | 844 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Duluth, MN to Bowling Green, KY | $828 – $1,140 | 889 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Duluth, MN to Owensboro, KY | $795 – $1,125 | 794 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Duluth, MN to Covington, KY | $803 – $1,140 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota to Kentucky
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 Minnesota to Kentucky, expect costs to range from $1,016 to $1,608.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Minnesota to Kentucky
When arranging car transport from the North Star State to the Bluegrass State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from Minnesota to Kentucky spans about 963 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Minnesota around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Minnesota and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Minnesota to Kentucky should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Kentucky, 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: 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 Minnesota
More than 5.7 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State. Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Minnesota to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.
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 Minnesota to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to Kentucky is about 963 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Minnesota to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Minnesota to Kentucky costs $813 to $1,286.
4570 West 77th Street, Suite 215, Edina, MN 55435 US
80 S 8th St Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55402 US
3169 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55121 US
22015 Canton Ct, Farmington, MN 55024 US
1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 US