North Carolina to Alabama Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 585 miles from North Carolina to Alabama ranges from $902 to $1,177 and takes 1–6 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 North Carolina car shipping guide.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Alabama. The average travel distance is about 585 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to Alabama
| From North Carolina to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Huntsville, AL | 411 miles | $728–$968 | 1–4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL | 391 miles | $677–$946 | 1–4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Montgomery, AL | 406 miles | $750–$1,048 | 1–4 days |
| Durham, NC to Mobile, AL | 572 miles | $822–$1,153 | 1–6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL | 446 miles | $734–$1,026 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to Alabama
| From North Carolina to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Huntsville, AL | 570 miles | $822–$1,153 | 1–6 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL | 553 miles | $838–$1,153 | 1–6 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Montgomery, AL | 570 miles | $838–$1,153 | 1–6 days |
| Durham, NC to Mobile, AL | 734 miles | $916–$1,427 | 1–6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL | 608 miles | $861–$1,223 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to Alabama
| From North Carolina to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Huntsville, AL | 495 miles | $812–$1,115 | 1–4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL | 478 miles | $741–$1,126 | 1–4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Montgomery, AL | 492 miles | $780–$1,029 | 1–4 days |
| Durham, NC to Mobile, AL | 659 miles | $868–$1,235 | 1–6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL | 533 miles | $775–$1,071 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to Alabama
| From North Carolina to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Huntsville, AL | 547 miles | $816–$1,139 | 1–6 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL | 529 miles | $840–$1,094 | 1–6 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Montgomery, AL | 543 miles | $808–$1,071 | 1–6 days |
| Durham, NC to Mobile, AL | 712 miles | $895–$1,412 | 1–6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL | 586 miles | $825–$1,177 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to Alabama
| From North Carolina to Alabama | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Huntsville, AL | 467 miles | $797–$1,093 | 1–4 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, AL | 465 miles | $751–$1,009 | 1–4 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Montgomery, AL | 479 miles | $741–$1,051 | 1–4 days |
| Durham, NC to Mobile, AL | 646 miles | $888–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL | 520 miles | $768–$1,078 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Alabama you should expect to pay between $1,128 and $1,471.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from North Carolina to Alabama
When transporting your vehicle from the Tar Heel 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 North Carolina to Alabama spans approximately 585 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Alabama should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Alabama
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 585 miles on your car going from North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Over 39 million people call North Carolina home. Nicknamed the Tar Heel State, North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Carolina to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
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 North Carolina to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to Alabama is about 585 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from North Carolina to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
