Texas to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,112 miles from Texas to Kentucky typically falls between $842 and $1,428. The process usually takes two–eight days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas 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
- 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 Texas
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Texas ready to move your vehicle to Kentucky:
- New World Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Lepke Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- San Antonio Auto Shipping Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Thrifty Auto Shipping, Inc.: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Bold Auto Transport: 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 Texas to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Texas for a move to Kentucky, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,112 miles to your vehicle on the route from Texas to Kentucky. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Texas to Kentucky, 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.
Texas to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Texas and Kentucky. The typical distance is about 1,112 miles, with shipping times generally falling between two and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to Kentucky
| From Texas to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Louisville, KY | $827 – $1,347 | 952 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Houston, TX to Lexington, KY | $776 – $1,293 | 989 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Houston, TX to Bowling Green, KY | $836 – $1,166 | 842 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Houston, TX to Owensboro, KY | $775 – $1,243 | 869 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Houston, TX to Covington, KY | $830 – $1,288 | 1,047 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to Kentucky
| From Texas to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX to Louisville, KY | $904 – $1,442 | 1,108 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Lexington, KY | $842 – $1,373 | 1,146 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Bowling Green, KY | $784 – $1,319 | 999 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Owensboro, KY | $805 – $1,314 | 1,026 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Covington, KY | $1,004 – $1,449 | 1,204 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to Kentucky
| From Texas to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX to Louisville, KY | $828 – $1,202 | 835 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dallas, TX to Lexington, KY | $800 – $1,255 | 873 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dallas, TX to Bowling Green, KY | $776 – $1,195 | 726 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Dallas, TX to Owensboro, KY | $769 – $1,182 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Dallas, TX to Covington, KY | $804 – $1,221 | 931 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to Kentucky
| From Texas to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX to Louisville, KY | $789 – $1,327 | 1,030 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Lexington, KY | $789 – $1,327 | 1,068 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Bowling Green, KY | $779 – $1,221 | 921 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Austin, TX to Owensboro, KY | $812 – $1,284 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Austin, TX to Covington, KY | $850 – $1,401 | 1,125 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to Kentucky
| From Texas to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX to Louisville, KY | $800 – $1,181 | 867 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Lexington, KY | $861 – $1,221 | 904 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Bowling Green, KY | $793 – $1,101 | 757 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Owensboro, KY | $825 – $1,132 | 784 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Covington, KY | $778 – $1,244 | 962 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky, expect costs to range from $1,053 to $1,785.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Texas to Kentucky
If you’re shipping a car from the Lone Star State to the Bluegrass State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 journey from Texas to Kentucky spans approximately 1,112 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Texas around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Texas and Kentucky.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Texas to Kentucky takes two–eight days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
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 Texas
More than 30.5 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
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 Texas 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 Texas and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas 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 Texas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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 Texas to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to Kentucky is about 1,112 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Texas to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
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 Texas, 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Texas to Kentucky costs $842 to $1,428.
300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205 US
5460 Babcock Rd #120-C, San Antonio, TX 78240 US
2201 Main St #205, Dallas, TX 75201 US
325 North St. Paul Street Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201 US