Alabama to Louisiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 387 miles from Alabama to Louisiana falls between $603 and $761. Delivery typically takes one–four days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana 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 Louisiana car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Alabama to Louisiana:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: 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 Alabama
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Alabama who can get your vehicle to Louisiana:
- 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
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 Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Alabama to Louisiana, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 387 miles to your car on the trip from Alabama to Louisiana. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Alabama to Louisiana. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Alabama to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Alabama and Louisiana. Average distances are close to 387 miles, with delivery usually taking one–four days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Louisiana
| From Alabama to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to New Orleans, LA | $646 – $801 | 441 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Baton Rouge, LA | $622 – $890 | 498 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Shreveport, LA | $664 – $973 | 549 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Metairie, LA | $615 – $818 | 445 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Lafayette, LA | $723 – $938 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Louisiana
| From Alabama to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to New Orleans, LA | $528 – $672 | 309 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Baton Rouge, LA | $564 – $725 | 367 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Shreveport, LA | $655 – $872 | 462 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Metairie, LA | $528 – $658 | 313 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Lafayette, LA | $623 – $836 | 420 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Louisiana
| From Alabama to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to New Orleans, LA | $529 – $744 | 342 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Baton Rouge, LA | $599 – $836 | 400 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Shreveport, LA | $630 – $872 | 451 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Metairie, LA | $545 – $744 | 346 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Lafayette, LA | $642 – $855 | 453 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Louisiana
| From Alabama to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to New Orleans, LA | $353 – $535 | 143 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Baton Rouge, LA | $470 – $598 | 201 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Shreveport, LA | $569 – $853 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Metairie, LA | $368 – $519 | 147 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Lafayette, LA | $434 – $586 | 255 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Louisiana
| From Alabama to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to New Orleans, LA | $479 – $634 | 291 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Baton Rouge, LA | $513 – $730 | 348 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Shreveport, LA | $603 – $801 | 399 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Metairie, LA | $474 – $627 | 295 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Lafayette, LA | $605 – $853 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Louisiana
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 Louisiana, expect costs to range from $754 to $951.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Louisiana
When moving your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Pelican State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Alabama to Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Louisiana spans about 387 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Alabama more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Alabama and Louisiana may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–four days, but expedited options cost more.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Louisiana means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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 insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Louisiana is about 387 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Alabama to Louisiana.
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.
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Louisiana costs $603 to $761.
3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
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