$1,430 Car Shippers from Alabama to California (2024 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2162 miles from Alabama to California ranges from $1,430 to $2,271 and takes 4-12 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Alabama car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Alabama to California
Because the distance between Alabama to California is about 2162 miles, it’ll take from 4 to 12 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to California
- Huntsville to Los Angeles: $1,519 to $2,374
- Huntsville to San Diego: $1,395 to $2,140
- Huntsville to San Jose: $1,591 to $2,301
- Huntsville to San Francisco: $1,505 to $2,420
- Huntsville to Fresno: $1,490 to $2,460
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to California
- Birmingham to Los Angeles: $1,519 to $2,281
- Birmingham to San Diego: $1,498 to $2,340
- Birmingham to San Jose: $1,485 to $2,277
- Birmingham to San Francisco: $1,566 to $2,347
- Birmingham to Fresno: $1,551 to $2,366
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to California
- Montgomery to Los Angeles: $1,519 to $2,351
- Montgomery to San Diego: $1,564 to $2,211
- Montgomery to San Jose: $1,566 to $2,347
- Montgomery to San Francisco: $1,489 to $2,557
- Montgomery to Fresno: $1,485 to $2,325
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to California
- Mobile to Los Angeles: $1,475 to $2,397
- Mobile to San Diego: $1,512 to $2,251
- Mobile to San Jose: $1,440 to $2,277
- Mobile to San Francisco: $1,505 to $2,420
- Mobile to Fresno: $1,520 to $2,318
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to California
- Tuscaloosa to Los Angeles: $1,490 to $2,328
- Tuscaloosa to San Diego: $1,424 to $2,296
- Tuscaloosa to San Jose: $1,470 to $2,444
- Tuscaloosa to San Francisco: $1,520 to $2,492
- Tuscaloosa to Fresno: $1,551 to $2,342
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Alabama to California
Since vehicles such as 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 Alabama to California you should expect to pay between $1,788 and $2,839.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Alabama to California
- Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
- Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from Alabama to California tend to be a little higher in the summer.
- Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to California will cost.
- 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 Alabama to California should take between 4 and 12 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Alabama and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from Alabama to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Alabama to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Alabama to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Alabama to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Alabama and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Alabama to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Alabama to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Alabama car shippers you should use.
The best car shipping from Alabama to California
A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:
- Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
- Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
- Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
- Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
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How car shipping from Alabama to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Alabama to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Alabama where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from Alabama to California?
- 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.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 2162 miles on your car going from Alabama to California. 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 Alabama to California for you. It’s an option…
- 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!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from Alabama to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Alabama and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to 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, it’s not 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Alabama to California being about 2162 miles, that’s as fast as about 5 days. But most car transporting companies will take 4-12 days to go from Alabama to California.
