Fast and Secure Car Alabama Shipping Service
We offer fast, safe, and affordable car shipping in Alabama and nationwide. Whether you need to move one car or several, our team ensures your vehicle arrives safely and on time.
American Auto Transport has a 4.0-star rating from over 714 Google reviews. Our car shipping service offers exceptional value that far exceeds the cost. That is why American Auto Transport is the top choice for moving cars in Alabama, across the country, and overseas.
Shipping Your Car in Three Steps
Our States Transport Service provides efficient and secure vehicle shipping for prompt delivery.
Reasons For Shipping Cars To and From Alabama
Shipping cars to and from Alabama is common for people moving, starting new jobs, or buying cars from inside or outside the state. This service helps keep miles off your car, protects it from damage on long drives and can save you money on travel.
Why Do People Move Cars To Or From Alabama?
- Relocation or moving to a new city or state for personal reasons
- Vacation or pleasure trips
- Transport vehicles from the factory to dealerships.
- Transporting a car from an auto auction after winning the bid
- Seasonal residents, known as snowbirds, move their vehicles to warmer climates in the South between November and February.
- When military personnel receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, those stationed at bases like Redstone Arsenal often need to ship their vehicles.
- When you buy or sell vehicles online, or transfer them between dealers, you need to arrange transport for cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs.
- People often choose to ship their vehicles rather than drive long distances. This can save time, prevent extra wear on the car, and help avoid the high costs of a long road trip.
Who Uses Car Transport Services In Alabama
- Big factories like Ford, Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota need to ship cars from their factories to dealerships.
- Individuals are relocating from Alabama to northern states for warmer weather.
- College students in Alabama primarily use car transport services during fall move-in, spring move-out, summer internships, and when transferring between universities to avoid long-distance driving.
Car Shipping In Alabama: Process For Transporting Vehicles
Alabama Key Factors in The Car Shipping Process
How does shipping a car in Alabama work? If you want to ship a car to or from Alabama, start by getting quotes and choosing the best price. Decide between open or enclosed transport, then schedule a pickup. Get your vehicle ready, sign the bill of lading, and pay when your car is delivered.
- Requesting quotes: Request quotes from several reputable auto transport companies to compare prices.
- Select transport type:
- Open trailer transport: This is the most common and cost-effective method, comparable to the process for delivering new cars from Detroit, MI, factories to Alabama’s car dealerships.
- Enclosed Carrier: We recommend this for expensive, luxury, exotic, high-value, or classic vehicles to protect them from environmental damage.
- Logistics and Scheduling: You can choose door-to-door service for pickup and delivery at your chosen locations, which is usually faster. If you want to save money, terminal-to-terminal service may be a better option.
- Preparation: Take out any personal items, clean your car for inspection, leave the gas tank about a quarter full, and make sure the battery is charged and the tires are inflated. It also helps to take photos of your car’s condition so you can compare them after delivery.
- Documentation and Inspection before drop-off: The Bill of Lading (BOL) acts as both a receipt and a checklist. Check the vehicle when you pick it up and when you drop it off and write down any damage on the BOL.
American Auto Transport company offers the following key strengths:
- Alabama, nationwide and flexible shipping: We provide door-to-door vehicle transport from Alabama to destinations nationwide, including SUVs and specialty cars.
- Transparent pricing and quotes: American Auto Transport offers fast, free quotes with no hidden fees, often delivered instantly.
- Safety and reliability: We are fully licensed and insured and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Comprehensive coverage: We offer both open carriers, which are the most cost-effective option, and enclosed carriers for luxury or specialty vehicles.
- Customer service: We provide 24-hour support, real-time tracking and, when needed, personalized expedited pickup.
The Average Cost of Alabama Car Transport
Shipping a car in Alabama typically costs $0.65 to $1.95 per mile, depending on the distance. Shorter trips cost more for each mile than longer trips. The way you ship your car also matters. Using an open carrier is cheaper, while using an enclosed trailer costs more.
Alabama Auto Transport: Average Costs by Distance/Route:
- Short distance, under 500 miles: You will pay $1.10 per mile.
- Medium distance, 500 to 1,500 miles: Costs $0.70 to $0.95 per mile.
- Long-distance transportation over 2,500 miles: Costs $0.50 to $0.69 per mile.
How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car in Alabama?
Shipping a car to or from Alabama usually takes one to ten days, depending on the distance. Shorter trips under 500 miles often take two to five days. If you’re shipping to a nearby state like Florida, it can take three to seven days. For longer, cross-country moves over 1,000 miles, expect it to take seven to fourteen days or more.
If you’re moving a vehicle within Alabama, it usually takes about 1 to 3 days from pickup to delivery. The exact timing can vary based on distance, the number of available carriers, and other external factors.
For cars going to or from Alabama, it takes two to fourteen days from pickup to delivery. The time can change depending on how far it is, the roads used and any stops along the way.
Key Factors Influencing Delivery Time and Pricing for Alabama Car Shipping
- Transport method: Open transport costs less, but enclosed carriers are more expensive and keep your vehicle safer.
- Distance: Deliveries that are close by, like 1 to 100 miles away, usually take 1 to 2 days. If the distance is 1,000 miles or more, it can take a week or two.
- Pickup time: Carrier pickup times typically range from one to three days. For rush-expedited car transport, pickup is required on the same day.
- Vehicle size/condition: Bigger vehicles like SUVs, vans, trucks, and semi-trucks, as well as vehicles that do not run, cost more to ship.
- Route popularity: Major interstate corridors in Alabama offer faster transit than those in remote areas.
- Seasonality: Car shipping prices go up during the busiest times, mainly in the summer (June to August) and around the winter holidays, especially in December.
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How The Time Of Year Affects Car Transport Services In Alabama
Alabama Has Six Main Highways For Transporting Cars
| I-10 | Goes east to west through southern Alabama, passing through Mobile. |
| I-20 | Goes east to west through the middle of Alabama, passing through Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. |
| I-22 | Runs between Birmingham and Memphis, linking the two cities. |
| I-59 | Goes from the northeast(NE) to the southwest(SW) through central Alabama. |
| I-65 | From north to south, crossing the state from Mobile through Montgomery and Birmingham to the Tennessee border. |
| I-85 | Links Montgomery with the Georgia state line and extends to Atlanta. |
Five Major Railroads Class 1 To Ship Cars In Alabama
| 1- BNSF Railway (BNSF) |
| 2- Canadian National Railway (CN) |
| 3- CPKC (Formerly Kansas City Southern – KCS) |
| 4- CSX Transportation (CSX) |
| 5- Norfolk Southern (NS) |
Keep Your Vehicle Safe During Shipping With Insurance Coverage
With American Auto Transport, you are protected.
Vehicles remain safe during shipping due to required insurance, special shipping rules, and the careful checks listed in the shipping paperwork. Licensed drivers have insurance that covers damage, accidents, theft and vandalism.
American Auto Transport Provides Everything You Need To Keep Your Vehicle Safe During Transport
- Carrier liability insurance: This federally required coverage pays for damages if the transporter is negligent or has an accident.
- Cargo insurance: This coverage protects your vehicle from damage. For open carriers, cargo insurance limits usually range from $100,000 to $150,000. For enclosed transport, limits can go up to $3 million.
- Bill of lading inspection: This important document is signed when you pick up and drop off your car. It records the car’s condition to help check for any new damage.
- Types of transport:
- Open carriers: Standard transport is widely used, but it leaves items exposed to weather and road conditions.
- Enclosed carriers: This option offers the highest level of protection and is ideal for luxury or classic cars. It helps shield your vehicle from weather and debris.
- Coverage limitations: Does not cover natural disasters, personal belongings left inside, or damage that was already there.
Be sure to review the carrier’s Certificate of Insurance (COI) and check whether your auto insurance provides additional coverage while your vehicle is being transported.
Prepare For Your Alabama Vehicle Delivery
Upon delivery of your vehicle, please inspect it carefully with the truck driver for any damage.
Steps to follow when the vehicle arrives for delivery:
- Inspect immediately: Walk around the car with the driver and carefully inspect the exterior, roof, windows, lights and tires.
- Document damage: Take pictures of any scratches, dents, or other damage before the transporter leaves.
- Review documentation: Check the car’s VIN, mileage, and condition against what is listed on the shipping form. Write down any damage you see before you sign.
- Test components: Check electrical parts like lights, windows, locks, and the entertainment system.
- Check inventory: Make sure to include the keys, floor mats, and charging cables if it is an electric car.
- Test drive: If you can, take a short drive to look for problems, such as trouble stopping or turning, especially with used cars.
- Do not sign immediately: Wait to sign the acceptance form until the inspection is done.
Cities in Alabama where we transport the highest volume of vehicles
- Huntsville: The city is ranked as the largest in the region, with growth driven by the aerospace and technology sectors.
- Birmingham: This city is one of the most important in Alabama, serving as both an economic and cultural hub.
- Montgomery: The capital of the state of AL.
- Mobile: This city is a historic port and a significant industrial hub.
- Tuscaloosa: The city is recognized for the University of Alabama and its consistent economic growth.
- Hoover: This is a large suburban city located in the Birmingham area.
- Auburn: Auburn is a rapidly growing college town and home to Auburn University.
- Dothan: This is a major city in the Wiregrass region, located near the Florida border.
- Madison: This city is experiencing rapid growth within the Huntsville metropolitan area.
- Decatur: The city is known as “The River City” because it is located along the Tennessee River.
- Florence: A major city in the Shoals region.
- Prattville: This attractive city, known as the “Preferred City,” is located near Montgomery.
- Vestavia Hills: This area is a well-known and affluent suburb of Birmingham, Alabama.
- Phenix City: Is a city in Lee and Russell counties on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River, just north of Columbus, Georgia.
- Alabaster: Alabaster is a rapidly growing city located south of Birmingham, Alabama.
- Gadsden: Is a city in Northeast Alabama and serves as the county seat of Etowah County. The city is located along the Coosa River.
- Opelika: Located adjacent to Auburn, this area is part of the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan region.
- Northport: It is located across the river from Tuscaloosa.
- Enterprise: Close to Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker.
- Daphne: This city is experiencing rapid growth on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.
| Route | Miles | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama to Florida | 550 miles | $860 |
| Alabama to New York | 1,100 miles | $1,750 |
| Alabama to Texas | 830 miles | $1,180 |
| Alabama to California | 2,170 miles | $1,800 |
* Prices may vary by state and are influenced by several factors.
Why Choose American Auto Transport for Alabama Car Shipping?
- Specialists and in-depth knowledge: With over 17 years of experience, American Auto Transport specializes in nationwide and international car shipping, serving Alabama and beyond.
- Expensive and specialty vehicle transport experts: We have a proven track record of shipping luxury, exotic, classic, antique, and unique vehicles, including high-value brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Ferrari, and McLaren.
- Safety and trustworthy: American Auto Transport holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and delivers securely, damage-free, and on time.
- Extensive nationwide car shipping coverage: American Auto Transport provides nationwide car transport solutions, making it a suitable choice for shipping cars to or from any location in Alabama.
- Cost-effective and reliable quotes: American Auto Transport offers competitive pricing for its car shipping services.
Benefits of Choosing American Auto Transport for Vehicle Shipping
By choosing American Auto Transport for Alabama car shipping, you receive specialized insurance, secure nationwide service, door-to-door delivery, the option of open or enclosed transport, and trustworthy customer service.
- Financial protection and benefits: American Auto Transport provides up to $500 toward a customer’s insurance deductible if the carrier’s policy does not cover a claim.
- Reliability and support: We are a BBB-rated transport broker company and offer a complimentary rental car if delivery is delayed by more than 14 days.
- Convenience & service: We offer door-to-door transport, and you can choose between open or enclosed trailers.
- Safety and insurance: American Auto Transport transports vehicles with carrier liability and cargo insurance in place.
- No upfront payment or deposit: Payment is not required until a carrier is assigned or the vehicle has been delivered.
Alabama car shipping FAQs
Car Transport to Any State
- Alabama
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