California to Alabama Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,161 miles from California to Alabama ranges from $1,520 to $2,591 and takes 4–12 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to California car shipping guide.
California to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Alabama. The average travel distance is about 2,161 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Alabama
| From California to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL | 2,006 miles | $1,536–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Birmingham, AL | 2,028 miles | $1,568–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Montgomery, AL | 2,083 miles | $1,615–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mobile, AL | 2,014 miles | $1,568–$2,549 | 4–12 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL | 2,021 miles | $1,552–$2,524 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Alabama
| From California to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL | 1,989 miles | $1,483–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Birmingham, AL | 1,995 miles | $1,608–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Montgomery, AL | 2,005 miles | $1,584–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mobile, AL | 1,936 miles | $1,592–$2,488 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL | 1,944 miles | $1,639–$2,322 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Alabama
| From California to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL | 2,261 miles | $1,628–$2,573 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Birmingham, AL | 2,293 miles | $1,660–$2,548 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Montgomery, AL | 2,372 miles | $1,681–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mobile, AL | 2,274 miles | $1,660–$2,675 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL | 2,277 miles | $1,676–$2,522 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Alabama
| From California to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL | 2,303 miles | $1,616–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Birmingham, AL | 2,326 miles | $1,568–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Montgomery, AL | 2,415 miles | $1,567–$2,719 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mobile, AL | 2,316 miles | $1,633–$2,598 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL | 2,319 miles | $1,536–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Alabama
| From California to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Huntsville, AL | 2,129 miles | $1,585–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Birmingham, AL | 2,161 miles | $1,536–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Montgomery, AL | 2,249 miles | $1,563–$2,446 | 4–12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mobile, AL | 2,141 miles | $1,520–$2,440 | 4–12 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tuscaloosa, AL | 2,146 miles | $1,681–$2,641 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Alabama
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to Alabama you should expect to pay between $1,900 and $3,239.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Alabama
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Heart of Dixie, 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Alabama spans approximately 2,161 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 California, 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 California and Alabama and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to Alabama should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Alabama car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Alabama:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Alabama
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,161 miles on your car going from California to Alabama. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from California to Alabama for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Alabama?
- Car insurance requirements: Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
- Driver’s license: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
- Additional taxes: In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Alabama
About 22 million people are living in the Heart of Dixie of Alabama. Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Alabama?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Alabama, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Alabama, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Alabama is about 2161 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from California to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Alabama?
When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Alabama after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Alabama after purchasing it.
In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
