West Virginia to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 260 miles from West Virginia to Kentucky typically falls between $470 and $604. 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 putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from West Virginia 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
- 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
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 need to ship your car from West Virginia 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 260 extra miles on your car to travel from West Virginia to Kentucky. To help decide, here are 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 by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 260 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 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 | $446 – $605 | 247 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Lexington, KY | $381 – $564 | 175 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $513 – $766 | 335 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Owensboro, KY | $552 – $778 | 350 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Covington, KY | $415 – $574 | 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 | $428 – $534 | 198 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Lexington, KY | $334 – $505 | 126 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $464 – $673 | 286 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Owensboro, KY | $502 – $700 | 301 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Covington, KY | $350 – $540 | 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 | $617 – $836 | 401 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Lexington, KY | $550 – $722 | 330 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $629 – $890 | 489 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Owensboro, KY | $651 – $904 | 505 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Covington, KY | $508 – $658 | 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 | $464 – $653 | 289 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Lexington, KY | $448 – $614 | 226 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $609 – $833 | 385 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Owensboro, KY | $556 – $793 | 394 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Covington, KY | $424 – $551 | 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 | $534 – $693 | 332 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Lexington, KY | $497 – $728 | 315 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Bowling Green, KY | $604 – $821 | 451 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Owensboro, KY | $597 – $818 | 436 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Covington, KY | $439 – $593 | 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 $588 and $755.
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 include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from West Virginia to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: Traveling from West Virginia to Kentucky involves roughly 260 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of West Virginia in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between West Virginia and Kentucky may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–four days, but you can pay for expedited service.
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 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 $470 to $604.
