Alabama to Michigan Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 932 miles from Alabama to Michigan falls between $812 and $1,322. Delivery typically takes two–seven 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan:
- 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in Alabama
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Alabama who can get your vehicle to Michigan:
- 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 Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Alabama to Michigan, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 932 miles to your car on the trip from Alabama to Michigan. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Alabama to Michigan is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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 Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Alabama and Michigan. The trip typically spans 932 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Michigan
| From Alabama to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Detroit, MI | $737 – $1,063 | 643 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Grand Rapids, MI | $773 – $1,079 | 654 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Warren, MI | $751 – $1,047 | 660 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Sterling Heights, MI | $736 – $1,068 | 664 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Ann Arbor, MI | $730 – $1,063 | 633 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Michigan
| From Alabama to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Detroit, MI | $775 – $1,257 | 813 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Grand Rapids, MI | $831 – $1,185 | 823 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Warren, MI | $844 – $1,178 | 829 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Sterling Heights, MI | $804 – $1,263 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Ann Arbor, MI | $783 – $1,161 | 803 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Michigan
| From Alabama to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Detroit, MI | $753 – $1,104 | 725 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Grand Rapids, MI | $792 – $1,195 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Warren, MI | $776 – $1,150 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Sterling Heights, MI | $784 – $1,081 | 744 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Ann Arbor, MI | $805 – $1,161 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Michigan
| From Alabama to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Detroit, MI | $833 – $1,267 | 980 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Grand Rapids, MI | $833 – $1,228 | 990 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Warren, MI | $817 – $1,254 | 995 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Mobile, AL to Sterling Heights, MI | $838 – $1,262 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Mobile, AL to Ann Arbor, MI | $827 – $1,334 | 970 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Michigan
| From Alabama to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Detroit, MI | $809 – $1,143 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Grand Rapids, MI | $809 – $1,191 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Warren, MI | $825 – $1,226 | 796 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Sterling Heights, MI | $847 – $1,185 | 801 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Ann Arbor, MI | $825 – $1,217 | 770 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Michigan
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Alabama to Michigan, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,015–$1,653.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Michigan
If you’re shipping a car from the Heart of Dixie to the Wolverine State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Michigan.
- Distance and route: The route from Alabama to Michigan is about 932 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Alabama in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Alabama and Michigan.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Alabama to Michigan takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Michigan 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: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
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 Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, 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.
Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Michigan is about 932 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Alabama to Michigan.
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.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Michigan 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 Michigan?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Michigan costs $812 to $1,322.
