($718) Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Knoxville, TN
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 508 miles from Mobile, Alabama, to Knoxville, Tennessee, ranges from $718 to $901. Costs vary depending on factors like the type of vehicle, transport method, and time of year. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
- Refundable deposit
- Discounts available
- Price lock promise
- Free car wash
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville to Mobile car shipping guide.
The best Mobile to Knoxville car shipping companies
We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Mobile to Knoxville:
- 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
- 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 Mobile
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Mobile, AL:
- Ultimate Auto Transport: 3.84 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Exclusive Auto Shipping: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Xpress Auto Transport: 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.
Car shipping alternatives from AL to TN
When you’re moving from Mobile to Knoxville, there are several ways to get your car to your new home. Here are the most common car shipping alternatives. Each one has its own benefits and trade-offs.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Mobile to Knoxville, many long-distance movers have partnerships with nationwide auto transporters. They’ll manage the car shipping logistics for you, but you won’t have control over which company is used or how much it costs.
Drive your car
Choosing whether to drive or ship your vehicle involves trade-offs. The 508 miles from Mobile to Knoxville might make for an enjoyable road trip and save you money. But the downsides include added wear on your car and potential risks from weather or long-distance driving.
Use a driving service
If cost isn’t your biggest concern, you might consider hiring someone to drive your car from Alabama to Tennessee. That said, you’ll want a driver you can rely on to handle the trip from Mobile to Knoxville carefully. Just remember—this option still puts added miles on your car.
Ship your car via train
Rail shipping offers a cost-effective and secure way to move your car to Knoxville, and it’s particularly practical if your household items are also traveling by train. In fact, it’s the cheapest shipping option for vehicles. Just be aware that this approach has limited service locations and takes more time than other transport methods.
Factors affecting Mobile to Knoxville car shipping costs
When you’re arranging vehicle transport from Mobile to Knoxville, keep these cost factors in mind:
Transport method
When it comes to moving your car from Mobile to Knoxville, you’ll typically choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The best option depends on the type of vehicle you’re shipping.
Open carriers are the most economical choice, while enclosed shipping gives extra security for luxury or classic models. To weigh the options for your move to Knoxville, visit our guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping costs out of Mobile will be determined in large part by what kind of car you have. As you might guess, the bigger the vehicle, the more it will cost. This is simply because it takes up more space and adds more weight to the carrier. So, a full-size SUV will be more expensive to ship to Knoxville than a compact car.
Distance and route
To put it simply, the longer the journey, the higher the price. Distance impacts pricing in terms of fuel and labor expenses, as well as added costs like toll fees and carrier maintenance. Shipping your car 508 miles from Mobile to Knoxville will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within Alabama.
Where you’re shipping your car matters, too. Rates are usually lower for routes along major highways and higher for more remote areas.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Mobile and Knoxville can impact car shipping prices.
October, April and November are the most pleasant months in Mobile, so consider this in your plans in moving to Mobile City. Mobile City experiences extreme heat on summer and rainy days on winter.
Best months to move into Knoxville are September, May and October as weather during are considered pleasant. Winters are generally much cooler and less stable, with occasional small amounts of snow.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Mobile to Knoxville during these peak seasons can result in higher costs.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs are a key driver of car shipping prices. On a 508-mile trip from Mobile to Knoxville, rising fuel prices can quickly push your rates higher. When gas prices spike, expect your transport costs to increase as well.
Delivery expectations
If you’re flexible with delivery dates, you may qualify for discounts from your car shipper. Typically, transporting a vehicle from Mobile to Knoxville takes between one and six days. While flexibility can reduce costs, choosing expedited shipping guarantees faster delivery at a higher price.
Comparing Mobile and Knoxville vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Mobile: Make sure to check with the City of Mobile for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to the city.
- Knoxville: Often there is a need within the downtown area to reserve or remove parking spaces for activities that may not abide by the posted parking regulations. Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to moving, delivery & removal of goods, construction activities, performance of specialized business tasks, locating of temporary storage units, locating of construction equipment, general construction, special event activities, etc. Without this type of permit the requestor would be seen as a violator and could be subject to ticketing or subsequently being towed. Make sure to secure the necessary permit upon moving.
Car insurance requirements
- Mobile: 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.
- Knoxville: 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 inspections
- Mobile: 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.
- Knoxville: 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
- Mobile: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
- Knoxville: 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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Mobile to Knoxville?
The cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Knoxville, TN varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Mobile to Knoxville will range from $718 to $901.
How long will it take to ship my car from Mobile to Knoxville?
It will take approximately one to six days to ship your car the 508 miles from Mobile to Knoxville. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Mobile to Knoxville?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Mobile to Knoxville. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Mobile to Knoxville?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Mobile to Knoxville than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 508-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
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