($1,529) Cost to ship a car from Riverside, CA to Birmingham, AL
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,993 miles from Riverside, California, to Birmingham, Alabama, generally falls between $1,529 and $2,297. Variables like transport type, seasonality, and your vehicle’s specs all influence the price. For more exact numbers, check our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
rating
Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham to Riverside 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 Riverside to Birmingham car shipping companies
To make your relocation easier, we’ve rounded up the best car shipping companies for transporting a vehicle from Riverside to Birmingham:
- 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 Riverside
If you’d rather work with a local car shipper than a national one, check out the leading car shipping companies in Riverside, CA:
- Professional Auto Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Sonic Auto Transportation: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- ABC Auto Shipping, Inc.: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Finest Carrier: 3.56 out of 5 stars
Professional Auto Transport
4513 Parkhurst St, Mira Loma, CA 91752 US
proautotrans.com/CompanyWeb/index.php
3.66 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Trailers
Additional Information
Alternative Business Names
- Professional Auto Transport Inc
Sonic Auto Transportation
3090 Bristol St Floor 4, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 US
sonic-auto.com
3.62 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise Sonic Auto Transport for their respectful and responsive service. They express appreciation for prompt deliveries, excellent communication, and competitive pricing, while only minor concerns were noted. Overall, customers are very satisfied with the level of service received and the care taken in transporting their vehicles.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3437626
Alternative Business Names
- Crystal Car Shipping Inc
ABC Auto Shipping, Inc.
102 Turnstone, Irvine, CA 92618 US
abcautoshipping.com
3.56 / 5.0
ABC Auto Shipping, led by Arman, consistently receives high praise for its responsive customer service, effective communication, and reliable car transport services. Customers have reported positive experiences with timely deliveries, often ahead of schedule, and vehicles arriving in excellent condition. Though some reviewers noted slightly higher prices compared to competitors, many felt the service provided was worth the investment, especially considering the stress-free experience.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- Student
- Teacher
- Law enforcement
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2340626
Alternative Business Names
- EZ Auto Logistics Subsidiary
Finest Carrier
23502 Commerce Center Dr. Ste B, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 US
thefinestcarrier.com
3.56 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2510449
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 CA to AL
If you’re relocating from Riverside to Birmingham, moving your vehicle is an important step. Below are the most common car transport choices, each with unique pros and cons.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re moving from Riverside to Birmingham, many of the best interstate movers work with trusted car shipping companies. They can coordinate your vehicle transport as part of the full-service moving package, but you’ll be limited to their chosen provider and pricing.
Drive your car
When deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, it’s important to weigh both sides. Driving the 1,993 miles from Riverside to Birmingham can save money and even turn into a memorable trip. On the flip side, the extra miles mean more vehicle wear and the chance of running into bad weather or hazards on the road.
Use a driving service
Hiring someone else to drive your car directly from California to Alabama is an option, albeit an expensive one. And you’ll need to find a driver you trust to safely get your car from Riverside to Birmingham. Plus, you’ll still be putting extra miles on your car regardless of who drives it there.
Ship your car via train
Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to Birmingham, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting Riverside to Birmingham car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from Riverside to Birmingham, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
When it comes to moving your car from Riverside to Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, visit our guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
The kind of car you’re shipping out of Riverside has a major impact on cost. Bigger vehicles require more room and increase the carrier’s load, which drives the price up. That’s why transporting a large SUV to Birmingham will cost more than moving a smaller 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 1,993 miles from Riverside to Birmingham will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within California.
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
Car shipping prices fluctuate with the seasons and the weather in both Riverside and Birmingham.
Riverside has hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.
Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
During busy moving periods—such as summertime or around winter holidays—demand spikes, and so do costs. Moving your car from Riverside to Birmingham during these times can be more expensive.
Fuel prices
Changes in fuel prices have a major impact on shipping costs. With 1,993 miles between Riverside and Birmingham, fluctuating fuel rates across regions can significantly affect your price. Higher fuel costs almost always mean higher transport charges.
Delivery expectations
If you’re flexible with delivery dates, you may qualify for discounts from your car shipper. Typically, transporting a vehicle from Riverside to Birmingham takes between three and eleven days. While flexibility can reduce costs, choosing expedited shipping guarantees faster delivery at a higher price.
Comparing Riverside and Birmingham vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Riverside:
- Birmingham: Current parking rates, which range from $1 an hour (for 2-hour or less meters) to $0.50 an hour (for 10-hour meters), will not change as part of ordinance modification.
Car insurance requirements
- Riverside: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Birmingham: 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.
Vehicle inspections
- Riverside: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Birmingham: 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.
Driver’s license
- Riverside: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Birmingham: 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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Riverside to Birmingham?
The cost to ship a car from Riverside, CA to Birmingham, AL 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 Riverside to Birmingham will range from $1,529 to $2,297.
How long will it take to ship my car from Riverside to Birmingham?
It will take approximately three to eleven days to ship your car the 1,993 miles from Riverside to Birmingham. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Riverside to Birmingham?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Riverside to Birmingham. 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 Riverside to Birmingham?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Riverside to Birmingham 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 1,993-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.
