Route guide · CA → KY
Shipping a car from California to Kentucky
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government costs about $1,200–$1,725 on an open carrier and $1,800–$2,575 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #156 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,475
- Road miles
- 2,170
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 6.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 129
City to city
What it costs between California and Kentucky cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, Lexington-Fayette, Bowling Green and Owensboro — 2,030 to 2,460 road miles apart.
| From | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | Lexington-Fayette | Bowling Green | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,200–$1,7252,170 mi · 5–8 days | $1,225–$1,7502,250 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7002,130 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,080 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Francisco | $1,275–$1,8252,390 mi · 5–9 days | $1,300–$1,8502,460 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8002,360 mi · 5–9 days | $1,250–$1,7752,300 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Diego | $1,200–$1,7002,120 mi · 5–8 days | $1,225–$1,7502,200 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,070 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Jose | $1,250–$1,8002,320 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,400 mi · 5–9 days | $1,250–$1,7752,290 mi · 5–8 days | $1,225–$1,7502,230 mi · 5–8 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, 2,170 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,200–$1,725 | $1,800–$2,575 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,350–$1,925 | $2,025–$2,900 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,500–$2,150 | $2,250–$3,225 |
| Pickup truck | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,350–$3,375 |
| Motorcycle | $725–$1,025 | $1,075–$1,550 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Kentucky is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,475 Peak: about $1,575
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Kentucky
About 6,347 people moved from California to Kentucky in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5,838 in 2023, 6,856 in 2024). That is 0.9% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 1,614 people a year go the other way, Kentucky to California. Trucks heading into Kentucky fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,475, shipping from California to Kentucky costs more than sending a car to Tennessee ($1,450) and Indiana ($1,450) but less than to Georgia ($1,500) and Michigan ($1,525). That works out to about 68¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,170 road miles, Los Angeles to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 5–8 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Kentucky, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Kentucky
7 companies based in Kentucky: 7 carriers, 0 brokers, 26 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- D F Trucking Inc Somerset · 7 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2376020
- LJS Transport LLC Mayfield · 6 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3209842
- Bonsai Auto Transport LLC Lexington · 4 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2106813
- S & A Transportation LLC Louisville · 3 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3484376
- Accelerated Transport LLC Richmond · 2 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2336415
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Kentucky but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Kentucky
To Kentucky from states near California
FAQ
California to Kentucky car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Kentucky's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Kentucky?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,200–$1,725 from Los Angeles to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (2,170 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,150–$1,850. An SUV costs about $1,350–$1,925, a pickup $1,575–$2,250, and an enclosed trailer $1,800–$2,575 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Kentucky?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,170-mile trip from Los Angeles to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Kentucky?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Kentucky after moving?
Kentucky requires new residents to register within 15 days of becoming a resident. Take the car, title and Kentucky insurance to the county sheriff for an inspection, then register with the county clerk.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Kentucky?
Driving 2,170 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $280 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,200–$1,725. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Kentucky?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 7 based in Kentucky, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.