Route guide · TX → KY
Shipping a car from Texas to Kentucky
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government costs about $800–$1,200 on an open carrier and $1,200–$1,800 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #248 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,000
- Road miles
- 860
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 4.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 152
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Kentucky cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, Lexington-Fayette, Bowling Green and Owensboro — 760 to 1,180 road miles apart.
| From | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | Lexington-Fayette | Bowling Green | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $800–$1,200860 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225920 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150770 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150760 mi · 2–4 days |
| Houston | $825–$1,225950 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,000 mi · 2–5 days | $800–$1,200850 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200860 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Antonio | $900–$1,3001,120 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days |
| Austin | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 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
Dallas to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, 860 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 | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $900–$1,325 | $1,325–$2,000 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,250 |
| Pickup truck | $1,025–$1,550 | $1,550–$2,325 |
| Motorcycle | $475–$725 | $725–$1,075 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in March–May (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars back north for the summer), running about 15% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Texas to Kentucky is January–February and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,000 Peak: about $1,150
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Kentucky
About 4,139 people moved from Texas to Kentucky in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5,471 in 2023, 2,807 in 2024). That is 0.9% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 4,661 people a year move from Kentucky back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,000, shipping from Texas to Kentucky costs more than sending a car to Georgia ($975) and Colorado ($950) but less than to Illinois ($1,025) and Wisconsin ($1,050). That works out to about $1.16 a mile.
Distance and transit time
The 860-mile run from Dallas to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads northeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Texas and Kentucky, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Texas
145 companies based in Texas: 102 carriers, 24 brokers, 1,183 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Usal Houston · 382 trucks · since 1989 · USDOT 357779
- Car Transport Inc Burleson · 309 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 248283
- Transcar Express LLC Brownsville · 89 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2066413
- Texas Auto Carriers San Antonio · 31 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 521201
- Transporting Cars Champion Inc Arlington · 26 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2287307
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 Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
FAQ
Texas 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 Texas to Kentucky?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $800–$1,200 from Dallas to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (860 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $750–$1,325. An SUV costs about $900–$1,325, a pickup $1,025–$1,550, and an enclosed trailer $1,200–$1,800 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Kentucky?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 860-mile trip from Dallas to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Texas to Kentucky?
January–February and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in March–May, up to about 15% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
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 Texas to Kentucky?
Driving 860 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $110 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $800–$1,200. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Texas to Kentucky?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 7 based in Kentucky, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.