Ohio to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 705 miles from Ohio to Alabama falls between $793 and $1,067. Delivery typically takes one–six days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Ohio that can transport your vehicle to Alabama:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- USTA Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Tiger Auto Transport: 3.52 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 Ohio to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Ohio for a move to Alabama, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 705 miles on your car going from Ohio 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 Ohio to Alabama, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Ohio to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Ohio and Alabama. The average travel distance is about 705 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Columbus, OH to Alabama
| From Ohio to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH to Huntsville, AL | $613 – $894 | 494 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbus, OH to Montgomery, AL | $755 – $990 | 660 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbus, OH to Birmingham, AL | $672 – $972 | 570 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbus, OH to Mobile, AL | $777 – $1,173 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Columbus, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL | $691 – $1,068 | 625 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cleveland, OH to Alabama
| From Ohio to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH to Huntsville, AL | $683 – $1,068 | 636 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Montgomery, AL | $748 – $1,168 | 802 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Birmingham, AL | $725 – $1,046 | 712 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Mobile, AL | $807 – $1,189 | 967 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL | $789 – $1,188 | 767 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cincinnati, OH to Alabama
| From Ohio to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH to Huntsville, AL | $537 – $735 | 387 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Montgomery, AL | $666 – $897 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Birmingham, AL | $602 – $835 | 463 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Mobile, AL | $741 – $1,046 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL | $603 – $830 | 518 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Toledo, OH to Alabama
| From Ohio to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH to Huntsville, AL | $675 – $915 | 588 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Toledo, OH to Montgomery, AL | $751 – $1,086 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Toledo, OH to Birmingham, AL | $711 – $1,021 | 664 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Toledo, OH to Mobile, AL | $824 – $1,278 | 920 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Toledo, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL | $725 – $1,089 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Akron, OH to Alabama
| From Ohio to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH to Huntsville, AL | $712 – $1,020 | 620 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Akron, OH to Montgomery, AL | $773 – $1,185 | 785 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Akron, OH to Birmingham, AL | $737 – $1,045 | 696 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Akron, OH to Mobile, AL | $775 – $1,252 | 951 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Akron, OH to Tuscaloosa, AL | $805 – $1,075 | 751 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Ohio to Alabama
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Ohio to Alabama, the price usually falls between $991 and $1,334.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Ohio to Alabama
Transporting your vehicle from the Buckeye State to the Heart of Dixie comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The route from Ohio to Alabama is about 705 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Ohio around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Ohio and Alabama.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–six days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Alabama means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 Ohio
More than 11.8 million people call Ohio home. Nicknamed the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
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 Ohio 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 Ohio and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Ohio to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Ohio 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 Ohio.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced 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 Ohio to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Ohio to Alabama is about 705 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Ohio to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
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 Ohio, 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio 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 Ohio to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Ohio to Alabama costs $793 to $1,067.
1823 Kentucky Ave, Springfield, OH 45505 US
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