Alabama to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 2,167 miles from Alabama to California ranges from $1,219 to $1,957. Expect the trip to take around four–twelve days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Alabama car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Alabama to California car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Alabama to California:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Alabama
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Alabama that can relocate your vehicle to California:
- US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars
US AutoLogistics
3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
usal.com
3.52 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 357779
Global Auto Transportation
1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
globalautotransportation.com/birmingham-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
The company generally provides responsive service with competitive pricing and timely vehicle deliveries, though some customers experienced issues with customer service and communication during the process.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
Vehicle Transport Services
2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US
vehicletransportservices.co/birmingham-alabama-companies
3.5 / 5.0
Vehicle Transport Services Birmingham has garnered positive feedback for their excellent shipping service and overall customer satisfaction. However, there are notable concerns about their customer support being unhelpful and lacking adequate time to address customer inquiries regarding future shipments.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2249744
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to California
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Alabama for a move to California, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,167 miles on your car to travel between Alabama and California. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Alabama to California, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Alabama to California auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Alabama and California. The average travel distance is about 2,167 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from four to twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to California
| From Alabama to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Los Angeles, CA | $1,334 – $2,024 | 2,006 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Huntsville, AL to San Diego, CA | $1,270 – $1,905 | 2,023 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Huntsville, AL to San Jose, CA | $1,331 – $2,084 | 2,261 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Bakersfield, CA | $1,245 – $2,084 | 2,021 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Huntsville, AL to San Francisco, CA | $1,270 – $2,146 | 2,303 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to California
| From Alabama to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Los Angeles, CA | $1,308 – $2,004 | 2,083 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Montgomery, AL to San Diego, CA | $1,295 – $1,885 | 2,006 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Montgomery, AL to San Jose, CA | $1,296 – $1,981 | 2,380 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Bakersfield, CA | $1,335 – $2,078 | 2,139 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Montgomery, AL to San Francisco, CA | $1,360 – $1,973 | 2,422 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to California
| From Alabama to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Los Angeles, CA | $1,232 – $2,084 | 2,035 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Birmingham, AL to San Diego, CA | $1,239 – $1,938 | 1,995 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Birmingham, AL to San Jose, CA | $1,292 – $2,084 | 2,291 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Bakersfield, CA | $1,334 – $1,925 | 2,051 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Birmingham, AL to San Francisco, CA | $1,348 – $1,960 | 2,333 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to California
| From Alabama to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Los Angeles, CA | $1,257 – $1,985 | 2,013 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Mobile, AL to San Diego, CA | $1,214 – $1,862 | 1,936 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Mobile, AL to San Jose, CA | $1,344 – $2,064 | 2,278 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Mobile, AL to Bakersfield, CA | $1,308 – $2,084 | 2,038 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Mobile, AL to San Francisco, CA | $1,283 – $1,960 | 2,320 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to California
| From Alabama to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Los Angeles, CA | $1,308 – $1,965 | 2,021 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to San Diego, CA | $1,189 – $1,843 | 1,943 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to San Jose, CA | $1,279 – $2,105 | 2,285 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Bakersfield, CA | $1,283 – $2,004 | 2,044 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to San Francisco, CA | $1,244 – $2,001 | 2,327 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to California
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Alabama to California, expect costs to range from $1,524 to $2,446.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to California
When moving your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Golden State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to California spans about 2,167 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Alabama, 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 Alabama and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes four–twelve days, while expedited service costs more.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in California, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Alabama
More than 5.1 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie. 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 Alabama.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 39.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Alabama.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to California is about 2,167 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Alabama to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to California is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Alabama to California?
Shipping a car from Alabama to California costs $1,219 to $1,957.
