Alabama to North Carolina Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: Shipping a car 585 miles from Alabama to North Carolina usually costs between $784 and $1,084. Transit time is about one–six days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Refundable deposit
  • Discounts available
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our North Carolina to Alabama car shipping guide.

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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 North Carolina car shipping companies

Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Alabama to North Carolina:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221

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 North Carolina:

  1. US AutoLogistics: 3.9 out of 5 stars
  2. Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  3. Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars

US AutoLogistics

3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.9 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 235-7002

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping

Additional Information

Global Auto Transportation

1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (888) 803-0501

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats

Additional Information

Vehicle Transport Services

2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 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.

Get a Quote (205) 623-3232

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

How we chose the best car shipping companiestoggle

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 North Carolina

Ship it with your movers

If you’re relocating from Alabama to North Carolina, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.

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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 585 miles on your car to travel between Alabama and North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.

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!

Alabama to North Carolina auto transport costs and transit times

Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Alabama and North Carolina. The average journey covers about 585 miles and takes roughly one to six days.

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to North Carolinatoggle

From Alabama to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Charlotte, NC $719 – $910 412 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntsville, AL to Raleigh, NC $792 – $1,152 581 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Greensboro, NC $708 – $1,034 507 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Durham, NC $757 – $1,041 559 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Winston-Salem, NC $741 – $1,018 481 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to North Carolinatoggle

From Alabama to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Charlotte, NC $658 – $920 407 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Raleigh, NC $749 – $1,074 566 miles 1 – 6 days
Montgomery, AL to Greensboro, NC $741 – $1,018 492 miles 1 – 4 days
Montgomery, AL to Durham, NC $767 – $1,050 544 miles 1 – 6 days
Montgomery, AL to Winston-Salem, NC $749 – $1,049 479 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to North Carolinatoggle

From Alabama to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Charlotte, NC $663 – $917 392 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Raleigh, NC $789 – $1,118 552 miles 1 – 6 days
Birmingham, AL to Greensboro, NC $741 – $998 478 miles 1 – 4 days
Birmingham, AL to Durham, NC $775 – $1,050 529 miles 1 – 6 days
Birmingham, AL to Winston-Salem, NC $713 – $999 465 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to North Carolinatoggle

From Alabama to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Charlotte, NC $804 – $1,063 573 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Raleigh, NC $853 – $1,238 732 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Greensboro, NC $825 – $1,235 659 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Durham, NC $895 – $1,265 710 miles 1 – 6 days
Mobile, AL to Winston-Salem, NC $877 – $1,181 645 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to North Carolinatoggle

From Alabama to North Carolina Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Charlotte, NC $704 – $936 448 miles 1 – 4 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Raleigh, NC $810 – $1,104 607 miles 1 – 6 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Greensboro, NC $798 – $1,092 534 miles 1 – 6 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Durham, NC $808 – $1,186 585 miles 1 – 6 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Winston-Salem, NC $722 – $1,065 520 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to North Carolinatoggle

Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.

Shipping a larger vehicle from Alabama to North Carolina usually runs between $980 and $1,355.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to North Carolina

When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Tar Heel State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • 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 and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Alabama to North Carolina.
  • Distance and route: The trip from Alabama to North Carolina covers roughly 585 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall 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 North Carolina may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
  • 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 North Carolina should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know

When you move to North Carolina, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.

  • Car insurance requirements: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
  • Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
  • Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
  • Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.

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 North Carolina

About 10.8 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in North Carolina?toggle

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 North Carolina.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to North Carolina?toggle

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.

Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.

How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to North Carolina?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to North Carolina is about 585 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Alabama to North Carolina.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?toggle

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.

Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.

If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in North Carolina?toggle

New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.

If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to North Carolina after purchasing it.

If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to North Carolina?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?toggle

Shipping a car from Alabama to North Carolina costs $784 to $1,084.

Helpful Alabama resources