Alabama to Tennessee Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 253 miles from Alabama to Tennessee ranges from $440 to $612. Expect the trip to take around one–four days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Tennessee 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 Tennessee car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Alabama to Tennessee:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
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 Tennessee:
- 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 Tennessee
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Alabama for a move to Tennessee, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 253 miles on your car going from Alabama to Tennessee. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Alabama to Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee. The trip typically spans 253 miles and takes about one–four days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Tennessee
| From Alabama to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Nashville, TN | $328 – $511 | 110 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Memphis, TN | $448 – $537 | 215 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Clarksville, TN | $367 – $514 | 158 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Knoxville, TN | $422 – $532 | 210 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Chattanooga, TN | $329 – $489 | 101 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Tennessee
| From Alabama to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Nashville, TN | $471 – $642 | 279 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Memphis, TN | $494 – $689 | 333 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Clarksville, TN | $504 – $710 | 327 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Knoxville, TN | $520 – $682 | 341 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Chattanooga, TN | $441 – $594 | 232 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Tennessee
| From Alabama to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Nashville, TN | $417 – $521 | 191 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Memphis, TN | $439 – $572 | 245 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Clarksville, TN | $445 – $560 | 239 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Knoxville, TN | $431 – $559 | 256 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Chattanooga, TN | $365 – $475 | 147 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Tennessee
| From Alabama to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Nashville, TN | $611 – $829 | 446 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Memphis, TN | $536 – $772 | 389 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Clarksville, TN | $624 – $875 | 494 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Knoxville, TN | $621 – $837 | 508 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Chattanooga, TN | $587 – $726 | 398 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Tennessee
| From Alabama to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Nashville, TN | $435 – $595 | 247 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Memphis, TN | $423 – $594 | 238 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Clarksville, TN | $438 – $598 | 294 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Knoxville, TN | $475 – $668 | 313 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Chattanooga, TN | $410 – $576 | 204 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Tennessee
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 Tennessee, expect costs to range from $550 to $765.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Tennessee
If you’re shipping a car from the Heart of Dixie to the Volunteer State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Tennessee than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Tennessee spans approximately 253 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Alabama in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Alabama and Tennessee.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–four days, while expedited service costs more.
Tennessee vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Tennessee, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
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 Tennessee
About 7.1 million people are living in the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Tennessee?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Tennessee, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, 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.
Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Tennessee?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Tennessee is about 253 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 Tennessee.
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 Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Tennessee?
To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Tennessee after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Tennessee after purchasing it.
When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Tennessee to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Tennessee?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Tennessee costs $440 to $612.
