($813) Cost to ship a car from Albany, NY to Birmingham, AL
Quick answer: Expect to pay around $813 to $1,353 to ship your car 1,085 miles from Albany, New York, to Birmingham, Alabama. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Birmingham to Albany 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 Albany to Birmingham car shipping companies
We’ve compared thousands of providers and identified the best car shipping companies to handle your move from Albany to Birmingham:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Albany
If sticking with a local company is important to you, here are the top car shipping companies based in Albany, NY:
- 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
- Quickship LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Loyal Transportation Inc: 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 NY to AL
If you’re relocating from Albany 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
On moves from Albany to Birmingham, it’s common for the top long-distance movers to coordinate with established car shippers for you. This can simplify your relocation, but you might not have a say in which car shipper they choose.
Drive your car
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before driving instead of shipping your car. A 1,085-mile trip from Albany to Birmingham could turn into a fun travel experience and reduce expenses. Still, you’ll add significant mileage and could encounter bad weather and driving conditions.
Use a driving service
Having a driver transport your car from New York to Alabama is also an option, but it doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need to trust that the driver can deliver your car safely from Albany to Birmingham. Plus, the trip inevitably adds wear and mileage to your vehicle.
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 Albany to Birmingham car shipping costs
When transporting your vehicle from Albany to Birmingham, these factors will influence the cost:
Transport method
You have a few different options for shipping your car from Albany to Birmingham, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you should choose depends on your specific needs.
Open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to Birmingham, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
One of the biggest factors influencing your shipping cost from Albany is the type of vehicle you own. Larger cars cost more to move because they occupy extra space and add weight to the carrier. For example, sending a full-size SUV to Birmingham will be pricier than shipping a compact sedan.
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 1,085 miles from Albany to Birmingham will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within New York.
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 Albany and Birmingham can impact car shipping prices.
August, June and July are the best months to consider moving into Albany as weather during these months are very favorable. During October to January, Albany experiences a cold weather where it can get snow and rain and could be colder than the rest of the New York States.
Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Albany to Birmingham during these peak seasons can result in higher costs.
Fuel prices
Because fuel expenses vary, they directly influence the cost of shipping your car. The 1,085-mile journey from Albany to Birmingham makes fuel pricing an especially important factor. If fuel prices climb, you’ll see that reflected in your transport bill.
Delivery expectations
Some carriers provide shipping discounts if you’re flexible on delivery dates. The average transport time from Albany to Birmingham is two to eight days. Being flexible can cut costs, but expedited options guarantee faster delivery at a premium.
Comparing Albany and Birmingham vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Albany: Check with the City of Albany for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Albany.
- 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
- Albany: To register your vehicle in New York, you must have state-issued auto liability insurance meeting minimum requirements $10,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death for one person, $50,000/$100,000 for two or more people in an accident. Failure to comply may lead to the suspension of both your car registration and New York driver's license. Stay compliant and protected on the road with the required coverage.
- 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
- Albany: If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you have one year from the registration date or until the sticker expires to get a New York State vehicle inspection. If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must get a New York State inspection immediately.
- 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
- Albany: New York residents must obtain a state driver license within 30 days of moving to the state.
- 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 Albany to Birmingham?
The cost to ship a car from Albany, NY 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 Albany to Birmingham will range from $813 to $1,353.
How long will it take to ship my car from Albany to Birmingham?
It will take approximately two to eight days to ship your car the 1,085 miles from Albany to Birmingham. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Albany to Birmingham?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Albany 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 Albany to Birmingham?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Albany 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 1,085-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.
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
299 Wahconah St, Pittsfield, MA 01201 US
1764 State Route 52, Walden, NY 12586 US