Washington to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 2,347 miles from Washington to Kentucky ranges from $1,411 to $2,033. Expect the trip to take around five–thirteen 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 Washington 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 Washington to Kentucky car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Washington 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 Washington
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Washington who can get your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- Carworx Auto Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Auto Shipping Group Inc: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Seattle Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Better-Haul Auto Logistics: 3.64 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 Washington to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Washington to Kentucky, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,347 miles on your car going from Washington to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Washington to Kentucky. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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!
Washington to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Washington and Kentucky. The average journey covers about 2,347 miles and takes roughly five to thirteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Seattle, WA to Kentucky
| From Washington to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA to Louisville, KY | $1,371 – $2,054 | 2,323 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Lexington, KY | $1,371 – $2,139 | 2,397 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Bowling Green, KY | $1,411 – $2,182 | 2,360 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Owensboro, KY | $1,367 – $2,055 | 2,290 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Covington, KY | $1,304 – $2,246 | 2,342 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spokane, WA to Kentucky
| From Washington to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA to Louisville, KY | $1,304 – $2,120 | 2,045 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Lexington, KY | $1,318 – $2,008 | 2,140 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Bowling Green, KY | $1,343 – $1,955 | 2,092 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Owensboro, KY | $1,343 – $2,161 | 2,013 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Covington, KY | $1,370 – $2,058 | 2,064 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tacoma, WA to Kentucky
| From Washington to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma, WA to Louisville, KY | $1,411 – $2,225 | 2,358 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Lexington, KY | $1,411 – $2,218 | 2,411 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Bowling Green, KY | $1,291 – $2,033 | 2,373 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Owensboro, KY | $1,304 – $2,161 | 2,304 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Covington, KY | $1,344 – $2,246 | 2,355 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Vancouver, WA to Kentucky
| From Washington to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, WA to Louisville, KY | $1,358 – $2,246 | 2,307 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Lexington, KY | $1,277 – $2,161 | 2,384 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Bowling Green, KY | $1,304 – $2,246 | 2,336 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Owensboro, KY | $1,367 – $2,034 | 2,257 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Covington, KY | $1,385 – $2,097 | 2,360 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bellevue, WA to Kentucky
| From Washington to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, WA to Louisville, KY | $1,385 – $2,097 | 2,317 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Lexington, KY | $1,330 – $2,240 | 2,412 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Bowling Green, KY | $1,371 – $2,075 | 2,364 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Owensboro, KY | $1,367 – $2,013 | 2,285 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Covington, KY | $1,317 – $2,118 | 2,316 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Washington to Kentucky
Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Washington to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,764 and $2,541.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Washington to Kentucky
If you’re shipping a car from the Evergreen 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Kentucky than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Washington to Kentucky spans approximately 2,347 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Washington in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Washington and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within five–thirteen days, but expedited options cost more.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Kentucky, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Washington
More than 7.8 million people call Washington home. Nicknamed the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
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 Washington 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 Washington and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Washington to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Washington 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 Washington.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
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 Washington to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Washington to Kentucky is about 2,347 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from Washington to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington 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 Washington and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Washington to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Washington 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 Washington to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Washington to Kentucky costs $1,411 to $2,033.
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