Best Car Shipping Companies In Alabama
While the best Alabama car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
From our #1 rated provider, 
If you’re moving to Alabama temporarily or permanently, shipping your car should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Alabama that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and enclosed transport services and provide easy instructions on how to ship your car.
The Gist:
- Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Alabama car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Alabama is $956 for open car shipping services and $1,339 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Alabama depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Alabama
We’ve put in more than 300 hours doing research on auto transport to give you an honest review of the top car shipping companies in the industry. If you’re moving a car to or from Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, or beyond, check out our list of the best Alabama car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Montway Auto Transport is our top choice among the best auto transport companies of 2024 because they provide dependable service and rates that customers find satisfying. While Montway may not offer the lowest prices, their excellent customer service and variety of options put them ahead of the competition.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company that moves cars around the country. They work in all 50 states and even ship cars internationally. Because they have many people working for them, they can charge less money to customers compared to other companies.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates
Our research team has given Sherpa Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. This is because they have fixed prices, high customer satisfaction, and a wide range of services. In addition, Sherpa offers customers a Clean Car Guarantee, where they can get reimbursed $20 for a car wash.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping simple and ensures fair pricing with their Price Lock Promise. This means that the initial quote you receive is the exact cost you will pay. If needed, they will even cover up to $300 to prevent any increase in your rate.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
We give SGT Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it provides many choices for shipping vehicles at prices that are reasonable when compared to others. The company received a high score for its services because it offers options like open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation. They also provide expedited delivery and guaranteed pickup dates as well.
You don’t have to pay SGT Auto Transport until they send someone to pick up your vehicle. If you find a cheaper price elsewhere, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Based on what our team found, most customers have a good experience with this company.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport review
4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability
American Auto Shipping provides a variety of services for transporting cars to different places. They have a good rating of 5.0 for their services. This company offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and other services.
American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.
Read more: American Auto Shipping review
5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
AmeriFreight has prices that are considered normal for the industry. However, customers have the opportunity to decrease their rates by taking advantage of AmeriFreight’s discounts and different price tiers. Some of these discounts include lower rates for returning customers, people shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.
AmeriFreight is one of the top five auto shippers we recommend because they offer many discounts, price-match services, and have great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure each one is licensed and insured through a thorough background check.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Alabama Car Shipping Companies
Although we mentioned five well-known national car shipping providers earlier, there are also some excellent local options in Alabama. Take a look below for another provider to consider.
Global Auto Transportation
Global Auto Transportation is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. Learn more about this provider on the Global Auto Transportation website.
Alabama Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping a car in Alabama can be different depending on certain factors. Some factors that affect the cost depend on what you want, like the type of auto transport you choose. Most people use either an open or enclosed trailer to ship their car, so we have listed the average costs for both methods below.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Alabama
Open car shipping is when multiple vehicles are transported together on a trailer without any walls or roof. It is a cheaper way to ship cars, but it also comes with more risks compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Alabama using open auto transport is $956, which is 5 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Alabama car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Birmingham to New York | $819 |
| Birmingham to Los Angeles | $1,049 |
| Birmingham to Chicago | $709 |
| San Francisco to Birmingham | $1,399 |
| Miami to Birmingham | $719 |
| Huntsville to New York | $819 |
| Huntsville to Los Angeles | $1,109 |
| Huntsville to Chicago | $769 |
| San Francisco to Huntsville | $1,199 |
| Miami to Huntsville | $799 |
| Mobile to New York | $919 |
| Mobile to Los Angeles | $1,439 |
| Mobile to Chicago | $799 |
| San Francisco to Mobile | $1,439 |
| Miami to Mobile | $609 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Alabama
Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Alabama car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Alabama using enclosed car shipping is $1,339, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Alabama. The table below has average costs of popular Alabama car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Birmingham to New York | $1,149 |
| Birmingham to Los Angeles | $1,469 |
| Birmingham to Chicago | $989 |
| San Francisco to Birmingham | $1,959 |
| Miami to Birmingham | $1,009 |
| Huntsville to New York | $1,149 |
| Huntsville to Los Angeles | $1,549 |
| Huntsville to Chicago | $1,079 |
| San Francisco to Huntsville | $1,679 |
| Miami to Huntsville | $1,119 |
| Mobile to New York | $1,289 |
| Mobile to Los Angeles | $2,019 |
| Mobile to Chicago | $1,119 |
| San Francisco to Mobile | $2,009 |
| Miami to Mobile | $849 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Alabama?
Your exact auto transport expenses for Alabama will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, different factors like the type of transportation, where it’s being delivered, fuel costs, the distance it’s being shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car will all impact how much you have to pay.
How To Ship A Car To And From Alabama
Are you trying to send a car in Alabama but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, we have simplified the car transport process to make it easier for you.
Choose Your Shipping Method
To start, you have to choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you determine which best fits your needs.
Compare Alabama Car Shipping Quotes
After you have chosen how you want to transport your vehicle, it’s time to compare quotes for auto transport in Alabama. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes online, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.
Remember, certain companies promise to honor the price they quoted you for shipping your car in Alabama, but others might raise the rate if market conditions change. If having a fixed price for your Alabama auto transport is important to you, go with a provider that offers this guarantee.
Select A Transport Provider
Once you’ve looked at different quotes for transporting your car, you’ll probably have fewer options for getting it shipped to Alabama. This is when you’ll need to decide if you prefer working with a car shipping broker or using an online shipping platform. Brokers will help find a car carrier for you, whereas shipping platforms leave it up to you to handle carriers on your own.
Make sure you do some research using online review platforms and discussion boards, no matter what you decide. It’s really helpful to hear from other people who have used shipping providers for car transport in Alabama.
Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier
After you have arranged for a vehicle transport service, it’s important to prepare your car for shipping. Make sure to remove any personal items from your vehicle, as some transporters in Alabama take into account the weight of the vehicle when determining the cost. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.
It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Before your car is loaded onto the trailer, make sure to take photos of it to have the right documentation. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Alabama.
Pick Your Car Up
If the vehicle transport company you choose has GPS tracking, you can watch your car travel to or from Alabama live. If not, you will still get a message from the company about when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you meet your carrier at the assigned pickup spot and time, make sure you check your vehicle for any damages. This is very important, especially for those who use open auto transport. If you find any damages, report them on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
What To Expect With Alabama Car Shipping
If you want to ship a car to or from Alabama, there are certain things about the state that could affect your shipping experience. The size of the city, the number of people, the traffic, and the bad weather might influence how long it takes for your car to be shipped in Alabama. It’s a good idea to know these things in advance so you’re not surprised when you’re actually shipping your car.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Alabama is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Birmingham and Huntsville.
In addition, many cities in Alabama have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding could make it more likely for auto transport in Alabama to take longer, so it’s a good idea to prepare beforehand and be willing to be flexible with the delivery schedule.
Alabama Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Alabama car shipping.
Why would a person want to ship their car?
If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Alabama from far away states is much easier with auto transport.
What are the benefits of car shipping?
Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Alabama without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.
How do I ship a car to Alabama?
You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Alabama, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Alabama Auto Shippers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
- Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
- Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.
