Best Car Shipping Companies in Kentucky (2024)
Moving and shipping your car to or from Kentucky should be a straightforward process. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in Kentucky that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We also dive into the expenses involved in shipping a car using open or enclosed transport services and assist you in understanding the entire process.
Key Takeaways
- Our team found SGT Auto Transport to be the best Kentucky car shipping company due to its large carrier network, positive customer service and high number of vehicles shipped.
- It’s best to compare SGT Auto Transport’s rates with those from Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Kentucky is $922 for open car shipping services and $1,291 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Kentucky depends on factors like a city’s population, nearby traffic patterns and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in Kentucky
We have spent over 200 hours gathering information about the auto transport industry and collecting thousands of quotes to create an impartial review of the best car shipping companies in your area. If you’re moving a car to or from Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville or beyond, check out our list of the best Kentucky car shipping companies.
Some companies have higher overall ratings than others, but this doesn’t determine the ranking order. The ranking order as shown in this article is based on how good each provider is for a driver in Kentucky specifically.
1. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport is rated very highly as a trustworthy car shipping company, receiving a 9.2 out of 10 in our review. SGT provides a range of services, including both open and enclosed shipping options with convenient door-to-door service throughout the continental United States and Hawaii. The company also offers expedited shipping for customers who need their vehicles delivered quickly.
SGT’s Price Match Guarantee means the company will match a price offered by a competitor if you find a lower quote for the same shipping service within 24 hours of booking. This way, you can potentially save money by checking prices from different shippers. Based on our experience, SGT generally provides affordable quotes.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
2. Montway Auto Transport: Editor’s Choice
Montway Auto Transport has been well known and respected in the car shipping industry since its start in 2006. Shipping more than 200,000 vehicles each year, the company has assisted over 1 million customers. Montway provides a wide range of shipping services to all 50 states and can also assist with international transportation, which can be hard to find.
By collaborating with more than 15,000 trustworthy car transport carriers, Montway effectively and safely moves vehicles. Each carrier provides insurance for your vehicle shipment but if a carrier fails to cover a valid claim, Montway offers additional coverage. Montway’s extensive experience, successful shipment history and extra services contribute to its overall rating of 9.7 out of 10 from our expert team.
3. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Costs
Sherpa Auto Transport is one of our favorite choices for shipping cars. Although not as experienced as Montway, Sherpa is well known for its excellent customer service. In fact, the broker has some of the best ratings for customer satisfaction on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website among the companies we reviewed. With a good reputation and dependable services, our research team gives Sherpa a rating of 8.8 out of 10.
The shipping broker has a Price Lock Promise, which is different from what other companies do. It means that the first price Sherpa gives you is the final price you’ll pay. If the broker can’t find a carrier for that price, it will pay the difference (up to $300) toward your costs. Sherpa also offers a Clean Car Guarantee, which means if your car is dirty when it arrives, you’ll get $20 reimbursed for a car wash.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport Review
4. Easy Auto Ship: Car Wash Reimbursement
Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to customers in all 50 states, using both open and enclosed transportation options. The company receives positive feedback from customers and collaborates with top-quality carriers to transport various types of vehicles. Additionally, Easy Auto Ship offers a car wash and a rental car if your delivery is delayed by more than two weeks.
Easy Auto Ship offers two types of door-to-door shipping services: standard and expedited. Whether you need to transport your everyday car to a different state or you’re moving a vintage vehicle cross-country, Easy Auto Ship is a reliable choice. Our overall rating for this company is 9 out of 10.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
5. Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC: Regional Choice
Safe Way Auto Transport requires no money upfront for shipping your vehicle and the company offers 24/7 customer service. With almost 30 years of experience, Safe Way Auto Transport provides door-to-door nationwide shipping. It also allows you to pack your car with up to 100 pounds of personal items.
Address: 501 Lake Shore Dr., Kuttawa, KY 42055
Phone Number: (270) 388-4657
Read more on the Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC website.
Car Shipping Companies in Kentucky: Buyer’s Guide
Car shipping can seem complicated at first. In the sections below, we’ll cover how much shipping costs, how to transport a car, what to expect and more.
Kentucky Car Shipping Costs
As car transport prices increase, it’s crucial for owners to compare prices from different companies before choosing. We’ve collected price estimates from several top providers to give you an idea of how much you may pay for shipping your car.
Open Car Shipping Costs in Kentucky
Open car shipping refers to the method of transporting multiple vehicles simultaneously on a trailer without walls or a roof. This is generally the most cost-effective option for shipping cars, but it also carries higher risks compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Kentucky using open car shipping is $922, which is 9% cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Kentucky car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Louisville, Ky., to Chicago | $459 |
| Lexington, Ky., to Chicago | $489 |
| Bowling Green, Ky., to Miami | $629 |
| Lexington to Miami | $699 |
| Lexington to New York | $719 |
| Louisville to New York | $739 |
| Owensboro, Ky., to New York | $749 |
| Louisville to Miami | $799 |
| Louisville to Los Angeles | $1,029 |
| Owensboro to Los Angeles | $1,149 |
| Lexington to San Francisco | $1,249 |
| Bowling Green to Seattle | $1,449 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in Kentucky
Enclosed auto shipping offers increased protection from road hazards during transport as your vehicle is moved in an enclosed carrier. While it makes Kentucky car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider this option.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Kentucky using enclosed car shipping is $1,291, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in Kentucky. The table below has the average costs of popular Kentucky car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Louisville, Ky., to Chicago | $639 |
| Lexington, Ky., to Chicago | $689 |
| Bowling Green, Ky., to Miami | $879 |
| Lexington to Miami | $979 |
| Lexington to New York | $1,009 |
| Louisville to New York | $1,039 |
| Owensboro, Ky., to New York | $1,049 |
| Louisville to Miami | $1,119 |
| Louisville to Los Angeles | $1,439 |
| Owensboro to Los Angeles | $1,609 |
| Lexington to San Francisco | $1,749 |
| Bowling Green to Seattle | $2,029 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in Kentucky?
Your exact car transport costs in Kentucky will likely depend on various factors, including:
- Fuel prices
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle condition
- Final destination for the car
- Open vs. enclosed transport
- Total distance you ship your car
If you ship a vehicle in the peak season, you’ll pay higher rates.
How To Ship a Car to and From Kentucky
At first, it may seem challenging to move your vehicle, but we’ll simplify the process of car transport below to make it effortless and worry-free.
What To Expect With Kentucky Car Shipping
If you’re sending a car to or from Kentucky, there are specific factors about the state that could affect your car shipping process:
| City size | Large cities have tighter streets, more cars parked on those streets and generally less space for large haulers to move around. If you live downtown in a major metropolitan area, your carrier may have to park farther away from your home with door-to-door shipping. |
| Population | Population density can have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Kentucky is less densely populated than other states, which may make door-to-door delivery less of a hassle. Availability may differ in major cities like Bowling Green and Louisville. |
| Traffic congestion | If there are more cars on the roads, it’ll take more time to reach a shipping destination, which could cause delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in Kentucky have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Shipments of cars in Kentucky may experience delays due to bad weather, such as storms or flooding. |
Before you ship your vehicle, it’s important to know these factors and be open to changing the delivery schedule if needed. Take a look at the steps below to learn how to ship your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you need to decide how you want to move your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you find which best fits your needs.
Most car shipping companies in Kentucky offer door-to-door transport. This means the carrier picks up and delivers your car as close to your address as possible. But, be aware the truck driver may have to park farther away if your neighborhood has narrow streets or sharp corners.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is less expensive than door-to-door transport but also less commonly offered. In this scenario, you would have to arrange transport to a predetermined location (terminal — usually a warehouse) to pick up your car.
If you’re looking for long-distance car transport to Alaska or Hawaii, your options may be slightly limited as some companies only serve the contiguous U.S. Similarly, not all companies offer international car shipping.
2. Compare Kentucky Car Shipping Quotes
Once you’ve determined the method to transport your vehicle, you can compare shipping quotes in Kentucky. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes, so we recommend getting estimates from at least three car transport companies to find the best price.
Keep in mind that while some companies guarantee the price you’re quoted, others might increase your shipping rate because of changes in the market. If you want to have a set price for shipping your car to or from Kentucky, pick a carrier or broker that offers this assurance.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After you’ve compared prices and services, it’s time to decide on a car shipping company. At this point, you’ll need to choose between working with a car shipping broker or using an online shipping marketplace. Brokers find a car carrier for you while marketplaces connect you with shippers who provide quotes for transporting your vehicle.
If you use a marketplace to book shipping services, you’ll have to assess and vet the carrier yourself, which means checking that they’re properly insured and have experience, among other things.
Before you decide, it’s important to do some research. Check out reviews to find out what people have experienced with different shipping providers. This will help you pick a trustworthy company.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you’ve made arrangements for a vehicle transport service, it’s important to get your car ready for shipping. Make sure to have no more than a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle.
Take out all personal things from your vehicle since a few transport companies in Kentucky consider the vehicle’s weight when figuring out expenses. Your belongings will probably not be protected by insurance either.
5. Meet the Carrier
On pickup day, meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damage such as dents, scratches and dings.
Take pictures of your car before it’s loaded on the trailer. This ensures you have correct records of your vehicle’s condition in case it’s damaged during transit. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Kentucky. It’s also the document the carrier uses to record any pre-existing damages or conditions your car’s in before loading it onto the trailer.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If you pick a vehicle transport company that has GPS tracking, you can see where your car is in real-time as it goes to or from Kentucky. If not, the company will send you a message telling you when to pick up your vehicle. In most cases, you may have direct contact with the carrier, who will usually alert you when your vehicle will arrive 24 to 12 hours in advance.
At pickup, inspect your vehicle for any damage. This is crucial, especially if you decide to use open auto transport. If you find any damage, report it on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away. This is often the point where you’ll pay your carrier, too.
Kentucky Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
You have many options for car shipping in Kentucky. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
Kentucky Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in Kentucky:
On average, you can expect to pay about $922 for open car transport depending on how far you’re shipping the vehicle. You’ll pay more for enclosed shipping or expedited transport options.
Our quote data shows SGT Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport are all affordable car shipping companies. The cheapest car shipping provider depends on your situation, such as the distance of the shipment and your vehicle’s type.
Typically, it’s cheaper to ship a car with open transport if your move is over 1,000 miles but cheaper to drive for shorter distances. When deciding whether to transport or drive a car, consider the wear and tear on the vehicle, your ideal moving schedule and how much you’ll pay for gas, food and lodging by driving the car.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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