New York to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 698 miles from New York to Kentucky usually costs between $737 and $1,045. Transit time is about one–six days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to New York 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 New York 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 New York 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 New York
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in New York who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Plycon Transportation Group: 3.98 out of 5 stars
- Molloy Bros Trucking Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Mate Logistics: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Roadrunner Auto: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Broadway Auto Transport: 3.72 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 New York to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
When moving from New York 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 is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 698 miles on your car going from New York to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from New York to Kentucky is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
New York 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 New York and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 698 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from New York City, NY to Kentucky
| From New York to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY to Louisville, KY | $758 – $1,066 | 737 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| New York City, NY to Lexington, KY | $793 – $1,035 | 704 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| New York City, NY to Bowling Green, KY | $780 – $1,249 | 857 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New York City, NY to Owensboro, KY | $753 – $1,209 | 843 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New York City, NY to Covington, KY | $755 – $1,037 | 640 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Brooklyn, NY to Kentucky
| From New York to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn, NY to Louisville, KY | $750 – $1,133 | 741 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Brooklyn, NY to Lexington, KY | $786 – $1,133 | 711 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Brooklyn, NY to Bowling Green, KY | $804 – $1,189 | 861 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brooklyn, NY to Owensboro, KY | $784 – $1,173 | 847 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Brooklyn, NY to Covington, KY | $712 – $1,048 | 644 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Queens, NY to Kentucky
| From New York to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queens, NY to Louisville, KY | $758 – $1,142 | 762 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Queens, NY to Lexington, KY | $765 – $1,077 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Queens, NY to Bowling Green, KY | $831 – $1,216 | 889 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Queens, NY to Owensboro, KY | $772 – $1,261 | 868 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Queens, NY to Covington, KY | $703 – $1,094 | 665 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Manhattan, NY to Kentucky
| From New York to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, NY to Louisville, KY | $804 – $1,089 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Manhattan, NY to Lexington, KY | $741 – $1,067 | 711 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Manhattan, NY to Bowling Green, KY | $788 – $1,213 | 867 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Manhattan, NY to Owensboro, KY | $761 – $1,162 | 846 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Manhattan, NY to Covington, KY | $741 – $1,027 | 643 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bronx, NY to Kentucky
| From New York to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx, NY to Louisville, KY | $751 – $1,165 | 750 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bronx, NY to Lexington, KY | $741 – $1,067 | 717 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bronx, NY to Bowling Green, KY | $756 – $1,141 | 870 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bronx, NY to Owensboro, KY | $828 – $1,225 | 856 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bronx, NY to Covington, KY | $762 – $1,084 | 653 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from New York to Kentucky
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 New York to Kentucky, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $921–$1,306.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from New York to Kentucky
Transporting your vehicle from the Empire State to the Bluegrass State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- 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 route from New York to Kentucky is about 698 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of New York, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between New York and Kentucky.
- 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 New York to Kentucky should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Kentucky, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 New York
More than 19.6 million people call New York home. Nicknamed the Empire State. The climate of New York state is generally has warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the farther southeastern portion of the state (New York City and Long Island area) hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of New York state, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
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 New York 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 New York and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from New York to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from New York 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 New York.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. To register your vehicle in New York, you must have state-issued auto liability insurance meeting minimum requirements $10,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death for one person, $50,000/$100,000 for two or more people in an accident. Failure to comply may lead to the suspension of both your car registration and New York driver's license. Stay compliant and protected on the road with the required coverage.
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 New York to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from New York to Kentucky is about 698 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from New York to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you have one year from the registration date or until the sticker expires to get a New York State vehicle inspection. If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must get a New York State inspection immediately.
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 New York, 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 New York, 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 New York 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 New York and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from New York to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from New York 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 New York to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from New York to Kentucky costs $737 to $1,045.
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