Alabama to Pennsylvania Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 988 miles from Alabama to Pennsylvania typically falls between $827 and $1,234. The process usually takes two–seven days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.4 / 5
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  • Price matching
  • One-day pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Pennsylvania 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:

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The best Alabama to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:

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
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for Exact Pickup Dates
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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
Best Insurance Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Get a quote (866) 563-0804
At A Glance
  • Damage-free guarantee
  • $500 damage or loss coverage
  • No deposit
  • Rental car assistance
  • Inoperable car shipping
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Get a quote (866) 563-0804

Top local car shippers in Alabama

Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Alabama ready to move your vehicle to Pennsylvania:

  1. US AutoLogistics: 3.52 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

starstarstarstarstar3.52 / 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 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 Pennsylvania

Ship it with your movers

If you’re relocating from Alabama to Pennsylvania, 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
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  • Specialty packing services
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  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 988 miles to your vehicle on the route from Alabama to Pennsylvania. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.

Hire a driver

Hiring a driver to take your car from Alabama to Pennsylvania 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 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 Pennsylvania auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Alabama and Pennsylvania. The average travel distance is about 988 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days.

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Pennsylvania

From Alabama to Pennsylvania Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Philadelphia, PA $775 – $1,206 836 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntsville, AL to Pittsburgh, PA $753 – $988 669 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Erie, PA $741 – $1,053 726 miles 1 – 6 days
Huntsville, AL to Allentown, PA $759 – $1,206 829 miles 2 – 7 days
Huntsville, AL to Reading, PA $754 – $1,212 811 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Pennsylvania

From Alabama to Pennsylvania Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Philadelphia, PA $783 – $1,275 939 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Pittsburgh, PA $814 – $1,194 839 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Erie, PA $820 – $1,164 895 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Allentown, PA $805 – $1,273 959 miles 2 – 7 days
Montgomery, AL to Reading, PA $814 – $1,287 941 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Pennsylvania

From Alabama to Pennsylvania Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Philadelphia, PA $805 – $1,225 881 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Pittsburgh, PA $757 – $1,151 750 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Erie, PA $739 – $1,096 807 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Allentown, PA $786 – $1,139 874 miles 2 – 7 days
Birmingham, AL to Reading, PA $826 – $1,222 856 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Pennsylvania

From Alabama to Pennsylvania Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Philadelphia, PA $820 – $1,377 1,104 miles 2 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Pittsburgh, PA $745 – $1,192 1,005 miles 2 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Erie, PA $760 – $1,317 1,062 miles 2 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Allentown, PA $871 – $1,377 1,126 miles 2 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Reading, PA $879 – $1,404 1,108 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Pennsylvania

From Alabama to Pennsylvania Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Philadelphia, PA $822 – $1,275 939 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Pittsburgh, PA $770 – $1,096 806 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Erie, PA $794 – $1,186 863 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Allentown, PA $790 – $1,201 932 miles 2 – 7 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Reading, PA $782 – $1,250 914 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Pennsylvania

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Pennsylvania you should expect to pay between $1,034 and $1,543.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Pennsylvania

When moving your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Keystone State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:

  • Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
  • Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Pennsylvania.
  • Distance and route: The trip from Alabama to Pennsylvania covers roughly 988 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: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Alabama to Pennsylvania, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
  • 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 Pennsylvania should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Pennsylvania vehicle regulations you need to know

Moving to Pennsylvania 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: When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
  • Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
  • Driver’s license: When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
  • Additional taxes: New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.

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 Pennsylvania

About 13.0 million people are living in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.

FAQ

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

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 Pennsylvania.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Pennsylvania?

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

When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Pennsylvania?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Pennsylvania is about 988 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 Pennsylvania.

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.

If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Pennsylvania?

When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.

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

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

New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.

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

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Pennsylvania?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

Shipping a car from Alabama to Pennsylvania costs $827 to $1,234.

Helpful Alabama resources