Maryland to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 869 miles from Maryland to Alabama usually costs between $828 and $1,249. Transit time is about two–seven days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Maryland 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 Maryland to Alabama car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Maryland 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 Maryland
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Maryland can deliver your vehicle to Alabama:
- Baltimore Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Jdf International Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- S J Trucking & Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- All State to State 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.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Maryland to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Maryland to Alabama, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 869 miles to your vehicle on the route from Maryland to Alabama. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Maryland to Alabama, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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.
Maryland to Alabama 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 Maryland and Alabama. The trip typically spans 869 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Washington DC, MD to Alabama
| From Maryland to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC, MD to Huntsville, AL | $760 – $1,024 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Montgomery, AL | $773 – $1,116 | 799 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Birmingham, AL | $735 – $1,155 | 742 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Mobile, AL | $775 – $1,264 | 966 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Tuscaloosa, AL | $773 – $1,116 | 799 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baltimore, MD to Alabama
| From Maryland to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD to Huntsville, AL | $788 – $1,100 | 734 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Montgomery, AL | $792 – $1,138 | 843 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Birmingham, AL | $750 – $1,185 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Mobile, AL | $833 – $1,257 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Tuscaloosa, AL | $832 – $1,185 | 836 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MD to Alabama
| From Maryland to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD to Huntsville, AL | $778 – $1,035 | 723 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Montgomery, AL | $800 – $1,185 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, MD to Birmingham, AL | $813 – $1,165 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbia, MD to Mobile, AL | $770 – $1,308 | 1,001 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Columbia, MD to Tuscaloosa, AL | $753 – $1,150 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Germantown, MD to Alabama
| From Maryland to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown, MD to Huntsville, AL | $756 – $1,067 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Montgomery, AL | $827 – $1,215 | 821 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Germantown, MD to Birmingham, AL | $805 – $1,176 | 755 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Germantown, MD to Mobile, AL | $773 – $1,312 | 988 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Germantown, MD to Tuscaloosa, AL | $748 – $1,133 | 812 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Silver Spring, MD to Alabama
| From Maryland to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD to Huntsville, AL | $786 – $1,035 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Montgomery, AL | $819 – $1,157 | 814 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Birmingham, AL | $781 – $1,166 | 748 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Mobile, AL | $805 – $1,224 | 981 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Tuscaloosa, AL | $764 – $1,180 | 805 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maryland 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 Maryland to Alabama usually runs between $1,035 and $1,561.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to Alabama
If you’re shipping a car from the Old Line State to the Heart of Dixie, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from Maryland to Alabama spans approximately 869 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Maryland around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Maryland and Alabama.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Maryland to Alabama takes two–seven 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 Maryland
More than 6.2 million people call Maryland home. Nicknamed the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
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 Maryland 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 Maryland and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maryland to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maryland 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 Maryland.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
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 Maryland to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maryland to Alabama is about 869 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Maryland to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland 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 Maryland to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Maryland to Alabama costs $828 to $1,249.
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
1301 York Road Suite 800, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 US
1911 East Old Philadelphia Road, Elkton, MD 21921 US
140 Western Maryland Pkwy Unit D, Hagerstown, MD 21740 US
4 Dwelling House Ct, Catonsville, MD 21228 US