($409) Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Columbus, GA
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 141 miles from Birmingham, Alabama, to Columbus, Georgia, ranges from $409 to $571. Costs vary depending on factors like the type of vehicle, transport method, and time of year. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus to Birmingham car shipping guide.
Our track record
The best Birmingham to Columbus car shipping companies
We’ve compared thousands of providers and identified the best car shipping companies to handle your move from Birmingham to Columbus:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Birmingham
If you’d rather work with a local car shipper than a national one, check out the leading car shipping companies in Birmingham, AL:
- Bennett Secured Transport Llc: 4.04 out of 5 stars
- US AutoLogistics: 3.9 out of 5 stars
- Cheap Auto Trans: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from AL to GA
Getting your car from Birmingham to Columbus can be done in a few different ways. Here’s a breakdown of your top car shipping options that highlights their advantages and drawbacks.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Birmingham to Columbus, many long-distance movers have partnerships with nationwide auto transporters. They’ll manage the car shipping logistics for you, but you won’t have control over which company is used or how much it costs.
Drive your car
There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 141-mile drive from Birmingham to Columbus into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
Use a driving service
If cost isn’t your biggest concern, you might consider hiring someone to drive your car from Alabama to Georgia. That said, you’ll want a driver you can rely on to handle the trip from Birmingham to Columbus carefully. Just remember—this option still puts added miles on your car.
Ship your car via train
Rail shipping offers a cost-effective and secure way to move your car to Columbus, and it’s particularly practical if your household items are also traveling by train. In fact, it’s the cheapest shipping option for vehicles. Just be aware that this approach has limited service locations and takes more time than other transport methods.
Factors affecting Birmingham to Columbus car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from Birmingham to Columbus, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
When it comes to moving your car from Birmingham to Columbus, you’ll typically choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The best option depends on the type of vehicle you’re shipping.
Open carriers are the most economical choice, while enclosed shipping gives extra security for luxury or classic models. To weigh the options for your move to Columbus, visit our guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping price from Birmingham depends heavily on your car’s size and weight. The larger the vehicle, the higher the cost, since it takes up more space on the carrier. For instance, a full-size SUV headed to Columbus will cost significantly more to ship than a compact car.
Distance and route
Distance is one of the biggest cost factors — the longer the route, the more you’ll pay. Fuel, driver time, tolls, and carrier maintenance all add up over extra miles. For instance, transporting your car 141 miles from Birmingham to Columbus will usually cost more than a shorter relocation within Alabama.
Your pickup and drop-off points are also key. Routes through major highways are less expensive, while rural or remote areas push rates higher.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Birmingham and Columbus can impact car shipping prices.
Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
Columbus has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Birmingham to Columbus during these peak seasons can result in higher costs.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs are a key driver of car shipping prices. On a 141-mile trip from Birmingham to Columbus, rising fuel prices can quickly push your rates higher. When gas prices spike, expect your transport costs to increase as well.
Delivery expectations
Auto shippers sometimes offer reduced rates if you’re open to flexible delivery dates. On average, shipping from Birmingham to Columbus takes one to four days. Opting for flexibility can save you money, but expedited service provides quicker transport at an added cost.
Comparing Birmingham and Columbus vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Birmingham: Current parking rates, which range from $1 an hour (for 2-hour or less meters) to $0.50 an hour (for 10-hour meters), will not change as part of ordinance modification.
- Columbus: There is some free street parking in Columbus. Some street cost between $1-$2 an hour.
Car insurance requirements
- Birmingham: 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.
- Columbus: Georgia mandates drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability. Uninsured motorist coverage is also obligatory, with a minimum of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, including deductible options.
Vehicle inspections
- Birmingham: 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.
- Columbus: New residents in Georgia must register their vehicles with the County Tag Office where they reside. To do so, they must first have a valid Georgia driver's license or ID, which can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. New residents may need to appear in person at the County Tag Office, although rules vary.
Driver’s license
- Birmingham: 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.
- Columbus: New Georgia residents must obtain a Georgia Driver's License within 30 days and can do so by visiting a Customer Service Center and transferring their out-of-state license.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Birmingham to Columbus?
The cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Columbus, GA varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Birmingham to Columbus will range from $409 to $571.
How long will it take to ship my car from Birmingham to Columbus?
It will take approximately one to four days to ship your car the 141 miles from Birmingham to Columbus. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Birmingham to Columbus?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Birmingham to Columbus. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Birmingham to Columbus?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Birmingham to Columbus than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 141-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.