Tennessee to Alabama Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 257 miles from Tennessee to Alabama typically falls between $462 and $648. The process usually takes one–four days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Alabama car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Tennessee to Alabama:
- 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 Tennessee
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Tennessee that can relocate your vehicle to Alabama:
- Nashville Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Us Star Trucking Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- AMPM Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Tennessee Auto Carriers Llc: 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 Tennessee to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Tennessee 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 257 miles on your car going from Tennessee to Alabama. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Tennessee 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
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.
Tennessee to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Tennessee and Alabama. Average distances are close to 257 miles, with delivery usually taking one–four days.
Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to Alabama
| From Tennessee to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Huntsville, AL | $337 – $511 | 115 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Nashville, TN to Montgomery, AL | $509 – $687 | 280 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Nashville, TN to Birmingham, AL | $460 – $552 | 191 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Nashville, TN to Mobile, AL | $648 – $854 | 446 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Nashville, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL | $434 – $625 | 246 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to Alabama
| From Tennessee to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN to Huntsville, AL | $447 – $605 | 215 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Memphis, TN to Montgomery, AL | $524 – $746 | 334 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL | $461 – $594 | 245 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Memphis, TN to Mobile, AL | $557 – $762 | 395 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Memphis, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL | $444 – $600 | 238 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to Alabama
| From Tennessee to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN to Huntsville, AL | $389 – $561 | 163 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Clarksville, TN to Montgomery, AL | $540 – $746 | 328 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Clarksville, TN to Birmingham, AL | $461 – $600 | 240 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Clarksville, TN to Mobile, AL | $630 – $847 | 495 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Clarksville, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL | $499 – $635 | 294 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to Alabama
| From Tennessee to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN to Huntsville, AL | $470 – $576 | 211 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Knoxville, TN to Montgomery, AL | $567 – $716 | 342 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Knoxville, TN to Birmingham, AL | $462 – $617 | 256 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Knoxville, TN to Mobile, AL | $632 – $878 | 508 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Knoxville, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL | $519 – $694 | 313 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to Alabama
| From Tennessee to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN to Huntsville, AL | $339 – $484 | 102 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Montgomery, AL | $481 – $618 | 233 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Birmingham, AL | $369 – $510 | 147 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Mobile, AL | $604 – $803 | 399 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL | $453 – $594 | 204 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Alabama usually runs between $578 and $810.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Tennessee to Alabama
When arranging car transport from the Volunteer State to the Heart of Dixie, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Alabama than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Tennessee to Alabama involves roughly 257 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Tennessee around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Tennessee and Alabama.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–four days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Alabama, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- 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 Tennessee
More than 7.1 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Tennessee to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle 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 Tennessee to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to Alabama is about 257 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Tennessee to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Tennessee to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Tennessee to Alabama costs $462 to $648.
4235 Hillsboro Pike #300, Nashville, TN 37215 US
314 Park View Cir, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 US
11803 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN 37934 US
136 Park S Ct, Nashville, TN 37210 US
30 Hollingsworth Road, Readyville, TN 37149 US