Idaho to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,145 miles from Idaho to Alabama ranges from $1,230 to $1,992 and takes four–twelve days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Idaho 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 Idaho to Alabama 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 Idaho to Alabama:
- 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 Idaho
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Idaho ready to move your vehicle to Alabama:
- Boise Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 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.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Idaho to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Idaho to Alabama, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,145 miles on your car to travel between Idaho and Alabama. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Idaho to Alabama 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
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!
Idaho to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Idaho and Alabama. Average distances are close to 2,145 miles, with delivery usually taking four–twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Boise, ID to Alabama
| From Idaho to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Huntsville, AL | $1,317 – $2,038 | 2,040 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Boise, ID to Montgomery, AL | $1,204 – $2,012 | 2,146 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Boise, ID to Birmingham, AL | $1,242 – $1,960 | 2,057 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Boise, ID to Mobile, AL | $1,315 – $1,998 | 2,212 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Boise, ID to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,317 – $2,019 | 2,051 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Meridian, ID to Alabama
| From Idaho to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, ID to Huntsville, AL | $1,267 – $1,980 | 2,048 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Meridian, ID to Montgomery, AL | $1,268 – $2,052 | 2,154 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Meridian, ID to Birmingham, AL | $1,292 – $1,999 | 2,065 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Meridian, ID to Mobile, AL | $1,251 – $1,937 | 2,220 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Meridian, ID to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,279 – $1,980 | 2,059 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Nampa, ID to Alabama
| From Idaho to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa, ID to Huntsville, AL | $1,242 – $1,960 | 2,056 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nampa, ID to Montgomery, AL | $1,306 – $2,032 | 2,163 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nampa, ID to Birmingham, AL | $1,192 – $1,999 | 2,074 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nampa, ID to Mobile, AL | $1,327 – $1,937 | 2,228 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nampa, ID to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,317 – $1,999 | 2,067 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Idaho Falls, ID to Alabama
| From Idaho to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID to Huntsville, AL | $1,243 – $1,861 | 1,818 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Montgomery, AL | $1,249 – $1,802 | 1,924 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Birmingham, AL | $1,194 – $1,861 | 1,835 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Mobile, AL | $1,273 – $1,933 | 1,990 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,194 – $1,770 | 1,829 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Caldwell, ID to Alabama
| From Idaho to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell, ID to Huntsville, AL | $1,317 – $1,901 | 2,064 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Montgomery, AL | $1,255 – $2,012 | 2,170 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Birmingham, AL | $1,254 – $1,980 | 2,081 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Mobile, AL | $1,225 – $2,079 | 2,235 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,192 – $1,862 | 2,074 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Idaho to Alabama
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 Idaho to Alabama you should expect to pay between $1,538 and $2,490.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Idaho to Alabama
Transporting your vehicle from the Gem State to the Heart of Dixie comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- 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 Idaho to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from Idaho to Alabama spans approximately 2,145 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Idaho in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Idaho to Alabama, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Idaho to Alabama takes four–twelve days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Alabama, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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: 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.
- Additional taxes: In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Idaho
More than 2.0 million people call Idaho home. Nicknamed the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
Transporting your vehicle to Alabama
About 5.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Idaho and delivery in Alabama?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Idaho and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Idaho to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Idaho to Alabama, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Alabama, which you should verify before loading your car in Idaho.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Idaho to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Idaho to Alabama is about 2,145 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Idaho to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
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 I have a driver’s license in Idaho, will I need one in Alabama?
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.
If I bought a car in Idaho, will I be required to pay sales tax in Alabama after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Idaho to Alabama after purchasing it.
In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Idaho and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho to Alabama 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 Idaho to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Idaho to Alabama costs $1,230 to $1,992.
800 W Main St #1460, Boise, ID 83702 US
303 N Kimball Pl, Boise, ID 83704 US