West Virginia to Kentucky Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 260 miles from West Virginia to Kentucky typically falls between $441 and $583. The process usually takes one–four 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Kentucky car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from West Virginia 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in West Virginia
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in West Virginia ready to move your vehicle to Kentucky:
- Applewood Motorcar Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Applewood Motorcar Transport
210 McGuire Ln, Gerrardstown, WV 25420 US
applewoodmotorcar.com
3.5 / 5.0
Applewood provides reliable and trustworthy car transport services. Customers appreciate their professionalism, punctual delivery, and exceptional handling of high-value vehicles. However, some reviews mentioned that the owner can be a bit stern under certain conditions.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1007612
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 West Virginia to Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from West Virginia to Kentucky, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 260 miles on your car to travel between West Virginia and Kentucky. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from West Virginia 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
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia and Kentucky. The average journey covers about 260 miles and takes roughly one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Charleston, WV to Kentucky
| From West Virginia to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV to Louisville, KY | $418 – $573 | 247 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Lexington, KY | $407 – $503 | 175 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $532 – $733 | 335 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Owensboro, KY | $555 – $782 | 350 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Covington, KY | $435 – $522 | 195 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Huntington, WV to Kentucky
| From West Virginia to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV to Louisville, KY | $418 – $549 | 198 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Lexington, KY | $350 – $513 | 126 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $486 – $669 | 286 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Owensboro, KY | $510 – $670 | 301 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Covington, KY | $363 – $522 | 146 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Morgantown, WV to Kentucky
| From West Virginia to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WV to Louisville, KY | $590 – $840 | 401 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Lexington, KY | $547 – $676 | 330 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $613 – $817 | 489 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Owensboro, KY | $667 – $830 | 505 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Covington, KY | $505 – $670 | 310 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Parkersburg, WV to Kentucky
| From West Virginia to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg, WV to Louisville, KY | $467 – $631 | 289 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Lexington, KY | $455 – $553 | 226 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $560 – $797 | 385 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Owensboro, KY | $588 – $766 | 394 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Covington, KY | $443 – $571 | 196 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Wheeling, WV to Kentucky
| From West Virginia to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling, WV to Louisville, KY | $537 – $733 | 332 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Lexington, KY | $476 – $643 | 315 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $596 – $818 | 451 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Owensboro, KY | $619 – $823 | 436 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Covington, KY | $433 – $573 | 235 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Kentucky, the price usually falls between $551 and $729.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from West Virginia to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Mountain State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from West Virginia to Kentucky spans approximately 260 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of West Virginia, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between West Virginia and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from West Virginia to Kentucky takes one–four days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
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 West Virginia
More than 1.8 million people call West Virginia home. Nicknamed the Mountain State. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.
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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from West Virginia to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from West Virginia 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 West Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $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 West Virginia to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from West Virginia to Kentucky is about 260 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from West Virginia to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Kentucky?
Shipping a car from West Virginia to Kentucky costs $441 to $583.
