Alabama Auto Transport: Daily Car Shipping Routes in Birmingham, Huntsville & Mobile

• Pickup and delivery at your address across all 67 Alabama counties, or a nearby meetpoint where the truck cannot fit
• Open and enclosed transport on every major route
• Licensed broker MC-796224, USDOT 2336907, matched to FMCSA-compliant carriers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees at pickup

Alabama Auto Transport Routes, Transit Times, and Pricing

Depending on the car's location, most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. This window could take up to 5 days in remote areas. Alabama car shipping turnaround time for a destination under 1,000 miles is 2 to 3 days. From 1,000 to 1,750 miles, the transit time is estimated to be 4 to 6 days. From 1,750 to 2,500 miles, the transit time is estimated at 7 to 10 days.

Major Alabama Cities Served

Every city below is covered on the same terms, and so is every town between them.

• Huntsville
• Mobile
• Birmingham
• Montgomery
• Tuscaloosa
• Hoover
• Auburn
• Dothan
• Madison
• Decatur
• Florence
• Prattville
• Phenix City
• Vestavia Hills
• Opelika
• Alabaster
• Athens
• Gadsden
• Northport
• Daphne

Shipping a Car to Alabama

The most popular lanes into Alabama, with the transit windows this page has always published.

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes into Alabama yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Shipping a Car from Alabama

The most popular lanes out of Alabama. Transit windows are this page's own.

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes out of Alabama yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Alabama Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check any Alabama quote.

• Short distance (under 500 miles)

  $1.00 to $1.75 per mile

• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles)

  $0.75 to $1.00 per mile

• Long distance (1,000+ miles)

  $0.50 to $0.75 per mile

• Distance: The length of your journey is a critical factor affecting costs, serving as a substantial determinant for your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, with considerations such as local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off influencing pricing variations.
• Trailer Type: Opt for open-air transport for a more budget-friendly choice, or consider enclosed trailers for added protection, albeit at a higher cost.
• Vehicle Details: The dimensions and weight of your car are significant factors influencing the auto transport rate.
• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by the demand for car shipping. More active seasons might lead to slightly higher costs, depending on the chosen route.

For the most accurate Alabama auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities
• If possible, flexibility with shipping dates
• Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)

By supplying this information, you'll receive a personalized car shipping rate tailored to meet your specific needs.

Alabama Military Installations We Serve

• Fort Rucker

  Dale County, AL, in the Wiregrass of southeast Alabama. The Home of Army Aviation and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, on about 63,000 acres.

• Redstone Arsenal

  Just minutes from Huntsville, AL. Team Redstone's federal center of excellence, built on 38,000 acres of family farms the Army bought in 1941.

• Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex

  Montgomery, AL. The 42nd Air Base Wing hosts the base, and Air University is headquartered on Maxwell. Gunter Annex sits north of downtown.

• Anniston Army Depot

  Northeast Alabama, in the foothills of the Appalachians. An Army maintenance center and munitions storage site that repairs the M1 Abrams, the M88, and the Stryker.

• Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile

  Mobile, AL. Qualifies Coast Guard pilots in the MH-60 Jayhawk, the MH-65 Dolphin, the HC-130 Hercules, and the HC-144 Ocean Sentry.

• 187th Fighter Wing

  Dannelly Field, AL. The Alabama Air National Guard's Red Tails, flying the F-35A Lightning II.

• 117th Air Refueling Wing

  Birmingham, AL, at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Alabama Air National Guard wing flying the KC-135R Stratotanker.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

PCS season runs May to August. Carrier supply tightens, prices rise, and pickup dates fill weeks ahead. Book 3 to 4 weeks out once orders are in hand. We can hold a quote for 7 days while you finalize report dates.

Know where the posts sit. Redstone Arsenal is just minutes from Huntsville in North Alabama, and Anniston Army Depot is in the foothills of the Appalachians in the northeast. The 117th flies from the Birmingham airport. Maxwell sits northwest of Montgomery, with Gunter Annex north of downtown, and the 187th flies from Dannelly Field. Fort Rucker is in the Wiregrass, about 80 miles southeast of Montgomery and 20 miles northwest of Dothan, ringed by Daleville, Enterprise, and Ozark. The Coast Guard's training center is in Mobile, so a hurricane in the Gulf can slow a PCS delivery there.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Military rate available for: active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired service members, and veterans. Mention your status on the call or in the quote form. Government bills of lading and DPS reimbursement requests are supported.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Bulldozers, graders, and backhoes
• Excavators and wheel loaders
• Skid steers and compact track loaders
• Cranes, lifts, and aerial booms
• Combines, tractors, and farm implements
• Industrial generators and pumps

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Alabama

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on I-65, I-20, I-59, and I-10.

• Stability and Capacity

  Step deck and lowboy trailers carry the weight of full-size dozers, cranes, and combines without straining the suspension.

• Permit and Escort Expertise

  Carriers in our network handle Alabama oversize and overweight hauling permits, route surveys, escort vehicles, and restricted travel windows.

Alabama Port Logistics

The Alabama Port Authority runs the Port of Mobile, Alabama's only seaport, along with inland river terminals and rail hubs. Its terminals at Mobile handle finished vehicles, containers, and heavy project cargo. We pick up from and deliver to every one of them.

• AutoMobile International Terminal

  Port of Mobile. A 57-acre roll-on/roll-off terminal built for finished vehicles, with room for 150,000 vehicles a year, 7,000 storage spaces, and a rail ramp that holds 2,000.

• Container Terminal

  Port of Mobile. Run by APM Terminals since 2008, with 50-foot vessel access and direct links to five Class I railroads.

• General and Project Cargo

  Port of Mobile. Heavy machinery and oversized loads cross Ro/Ro ramps and a mobile harbor crane, with 2.4 million square feet of warehousing and over 55 acres of laydown space.

Equipment that does not fit on a step deck moves on a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) trailer. The front detaches so tracked machinery rolls on without ramps. Best for excavators, dozers, and equipment without functional drive systems.

Should You Drive or Ship Your Car to or from Alabama?

No route guide covers an Alabama lane yet, so we do not publish a driving cost for one. Here is how the two options compare on everything except the price.

Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side

The transit windows are the ones this page has always published. Your quote supplies the shipping price, so the table leaves dollar figures out.

Moving to Alabama: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Most people shipping into Alabama are relocating or reporting to a new post. Alabama runs on a 30-day clock, and the yearly tax on your car is a property tax you pay with your plates. Here is what actually applies.

Title First, Then Plates

Alabama issues plates only after you have an Alabama title or a title application. You apply through a designated agent: your county license plate office, a licensed Alabama dealer, or an Alabama bank or credit union. The title application fee is $15, plus a $1.50 agent commission, and some counties add local fees. Cars 35 model years old or newer need the title. An older car gets a registration only, and the licensing official inspects its VIN and ownership papers when it changes hands.

Your Yearly Car Tax Is a Property Tax

Alabama collects ad valorem tax, a property tax on the vehicle, at the same time as your registration fees, and it must be paid before the plates are issued. A personal car is assessed at 15 percent of its market value, then multiplied by the millage rate that applies. Battery electric cars also pay a $203 yearly registration fee and plug-in hybrids $103, set in July 2023 and rising $3 every fourth year.

No Emissions Test and No Safety Inspection

The Department of Revenue says Alabama law does not provide for emissions testing of motor vehicles. Its list of what you need before you register has no safety inspection on it either: the title, an Alabama insurance policy, and the fees.

Insurance and License

The car must be covered by an Alabama liability policy before you register it, written by an insurer licensed in Alabama. The minimum is $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for all injuries or deaths in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. The county office tries to confirm coverage through the state's online insurance system, so bring your Alabama insurance card.

You may drive on your old license for 30 days after becoming a resident. Transfer it at an ALEA driver license office with your out-of-state license, your Social Security card, and one document from ALEA's primary ID list. The fee is $5 to transfer plus $36.25 for the license, and there is no driving test if your old license has not been expired more than a year. Service members from other states and their families stationed here may keep driving on their home state licenses.

Bring the out-of-state title, your Alabama insurance card, and your driver license or state ID to the county license plate office. Check current fees with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division before you go.

Alabama Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Alabama car shipping service. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

• What is the cost of shipping a car to Alabama?

  The cost of shipping a car to Alabama depends on several factors, including distance, location, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonality. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and busy seasons may lead to slightly higher costs. In order to get the most accurate quote, you should provide the following information: your car's type and specifications, origin and destination cities, flexible shipping dates (if possible), and preferred trailer type (open or enclosed).

• How long does it take to ship a car to or from Alabama?

  Most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. In remote areas, it could take up to 5 days. Here are some estimated transit times based on distance: under 1,000 miles, 2 to 3 days. 1,000 to 1,750 miles, 4 to 6 days. 1,750 to 2,500 miles, 7 to 10 days.

• What types of vehicles can I transport to or from Alabama?

  Number 1 Auto Transport handles all your vehicle relocation needs, from everyday cars and trucks like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and pickups to minivans and passenger vans. We've got you covered for specialty vehicles too, including electric cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain rides like ATVs and UTVs. Need your golf cart or a John Deere Tractor shipped? If it has wheels, we can ship it!

• Can I transport a car to or from Alabama if it's not running?

  Yes, carriers in our network are equipped with a winch to help pull the vehicle onto the trailer. Please let your dedicated shipping agent know if the car breaks, rolls, and steers.

• Can I pack my car when transporting it to or from Alabama?

  While some personal belongings can be transported inside your vehicle for your convenience, there are restrictions. The total weight must be under 100 pounds, and for security reasons, they should be stored in the trunk or back seat, remaining below the window line. It's important to note that any personal belongings shipped within the car are not covered by the standard transport insurance in case of damage or loss.

• Does my vehicle need to have plates when shipping it to or from Alabama?

  No, but sometimes a carrier will have to meet in a parking lot due to the size of his truck and the destination street layout. If so, you will most likely have to drive the car a few blocks.

• How should I prep my car before shipping it?

  It's recommended to wash your car so the transport carrier can do a proper inspection at pickup. Remove any toll tags so you don't incur fees while in transit. It's also best to remove any loose parts to prevent any damage during transport.

• What is the cheapest way to transport a car to or from Alabama?

  The cheapest way to ship a car to or from Alabama is on an open car trailer.

• Should I drive or ship my car to Alabama?

  If the trip is a short distance, you should consider driving it to save money. Shipping is ideal for long distances, valuable cars, or if you don't want the hassle of driving yourself.

• Is my vehicle insured when using an Alabama car shipping service?

  Yes, all the carriers in our network are vetted and screened with the DOT and FMCSA to make sure they have up to date and adequate cargo coverage to fully protect your car during transport.

• How do I get a quote for shipping my car to Alabama?

  Most car shipping carriers request a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. Once you have your desired pickup window, provide us with the year, make, model, and we will be able to provide you with an Alabama car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Alabama auto transport service?

  Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a smooth transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.

• What documents do I need to provide to ship my car?

  You do not need to provide any documents to ship your car. However, it is recommended to sign a Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves.

• What happens upon pick-up and delivery of my car?

  The transport carrier will conduct a thorough inspection with you at the predetermined pickup location, noting any existing dents or scratches. The same inspection will be done upon delivery.

• How far in advance do I need to schedule my Alabama car shipping service?

  To ensure we can fulfill your preferred delivery timeframe, scheduling your car shipment with ample lead time is highly recommended. Ideally, booking your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance allows for optimal planning and execution.

• Do I have to register my car in Alabama after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. You have 30 days from the date the car enters the state to register it, and you title it in Alabama first. Alabama has no emissions test, and there is no safety inspection on the registration checklist. You need Alabama liability insurance of at least $25,000, $50,000, and $25,000, and you may drive on your old license for 30 days after becoming a resident.