Massachusetts to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,262 miles from Massachusetts to Alabama ranges from $876 to $1,425. Expect the trip to take around three–eight days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Massachusetts who can get your vehicle to Alabama:
- Fox Auto Transport: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Intercity Lines Inc: 3.84 out of 5 stars
- Fisher Shipping Company: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Dreamline Logistics LLC: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Preowned Auto Logistics: 3.8 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 Massachusetts to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Massachusetts 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.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,262 miles on your car going from Massachusetts to Alabama. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Massachusetts to Alabama, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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.
Massachusetts to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Massachusetts and Alabama. The typical distance is about 1,262 miles, with shipping times generally falling between three and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Boston, MA to Alabama
| From Massachusetts to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Huntsville, AL | $837 – $1,297 | 1,135 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Montgomery, AL | $913 – $1,439 | 1,244 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Birmingham, AL | $896 – $1,323 | 1,181 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Mobile, AL | $1,095 – $1,506 | 1,411 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $940 – $1,468 | 1,238 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Worcester, MA to Alabama
| From Massachusetts to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA to Huntsville, AL | $800 – $1,279 | 1,098 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Worcester, MA to Montgomery, AL | $894 – $1,355 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Worcester, MA to Birmingham, AL | $845 – $1,350 | 1,144 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Worcester, MA to Mobile, AL | $1,008 – $1,448 | 1,374 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Worcester, MA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $876 – $1,397 | 1,201 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MA to Alabama
| From Massachusetts to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA to Huntsville, AL | $768 – $1,242 | 1,063 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Springfield, MA to Montgomery, AL | $896 – $1,350 | 1,171 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Springfield, MA to Birmingham, AL | $811 – $1,350 | 1,108 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Springfield, MA to Mobile, AL | $959 – $1,552 | 1,339 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Springfield, MA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $896 – $1,350 | 1,165 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cambridge, MA to Alabama
| From Massachusetts to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA to Huntsville, AL | $811 – $1,390 | 1,132 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Montgomery, AL | $968 – $1,383 | 1,243 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Birmingham, AL | $828 – $1,363 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Mobile, AL | $1,032 – $1,521 | 1,408 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $885 – $1,355 | 1,235 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lowell, MA to Alabama
| From Massachusetts to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA to Huntsville, AL | $896 – $1,363 | 1,139 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Montgomery, AL | $922 – $1,482 | 1,247 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Birmingham, AL | $879 – $1,270 | 1,184 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Mobile, AL | $1,064 – $1,537 | 1,415 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $876 – $1,355 | 1,241 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Massachusetts to Alabama
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Massachusetts to Alabama usually runs between $1,095 and $1,781.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Massachusetts to Alabama
If you’re shipping a car from the Bay State to the Heart of Dixie, 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The route from Massachusetts to Alabama is about 1,262 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Alabama, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Alabama, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Massachusetts
More than 7.0 million people call Massachusetts home. Nicknamed the Bay State. Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Massachusetts to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
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 Massachusetts to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Massachusetts to Alabama is about 1,262 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Massachusetts to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Massachusetts to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Massachusetts to Alabama costs $876 to $1,425.
150 Pleasant St Suite 209, Easthampton, MA 01027 US
552 Old West Brookfield Rd, Warren, MA 01083 US
27B Midstate Dr Suite 106, Auburn, MA 01501 US
2464 Massachusetts Ave #220, Cambridge, MA 02140 US
222 Jubilee Dr., Peabody, MA 01960 US