Washington to Alabama Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 2,540 miles from Washington to Alabama typically falls between $1,356 and $2,073. The process usually takes seven–fifteen 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 Washington 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 Washington to Alabama car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Washington 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 Washington
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Washington who can get your vehicle to Alabama:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- Carworx Auto Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Auto Shipping Group Inc: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Seattle Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Better-Haul Auto Logistics: 3.64 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 Washington to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Washington to Alabama, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,540 miles on your car going from Washington to Alabama. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Washington to Alabama. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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.
Washington 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 Washington and Alabama. The trip typically spans 2,540 miles and takes about seven–fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Seattle, WA to Alabama
| From Washington to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA to Huntsville, AL | $1,342 – $2,136 | 2,504 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Seattle, WA to Montgomery, AL | $1,354 – $2,178 | 2,610 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Seattle, WA to Birmingham, AL | $1,288 – $2,157 | 2,521 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Seattle, WA to Mobile, AL | $1,399 – $2,173 | 2,702 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Seattle, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,275 – $2,073 | 2,515 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spokane, WA to Alabama
| From Washington to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA to Huntsville, AL | $1,324 – $2,073 | 2,226 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Montgomery, AL | $1,275 – $2,177 | 2,333 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Spokane, WA to Birmingham, AL | $1,337 – $2,073 | 2,244 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Mobile, AL | $1,288 – $2,114 | 2,388 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Spokane, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,271 – $2,115 | 2,237 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tacoma, WA to Alabama
| From Washington to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma, WA to Huntsville, AL | $1,356 – $2,221 | 2,517 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Montgomery, AL | $1,368 – $2,222 | 2,624 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Birmingham, AL | $1,356 – $2,051 | 2,535 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Mobile, AL | $1,470 – $2,150 | 2,716 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,275 – $2,136 | 2,528 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Vancouver, WA to Alabama
| From Washington to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, WA to Huntsville, AL | $1,261 – $2,043 | 2,470 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Montgomery, AL | $1,369 – $2,009 | 2,576 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Birmingham, AL | $1,367 – $2,149 | 2,487 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Mobile, AL | $1,466 – $2,178 | 2,642 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,367 – $2,021 | 2,481 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bellevue, WA to Alabama
| From Washington to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, WA to Huntsville, AL | $1,394 – $2,234 | 2,498 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Montgomery, AL | $1,326 – $2,244 | 2,605 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Birmingham, AL | $1,409 – $2,094 | 2,516 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Mobile, AL | $1,368 – $2,113 | 2,697 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,329 – $2,178 | 2,509 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Washington to Alabama
Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Washington to Alabama you should expect to pay between $1,695 and $2,591.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Washington to Alabama
When moving your vehicle from the Evergreen State to the Heart of Dixie, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Alabama.
- Distance and route: The journey from Washington to Alabama spans approximately 2,540 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Washington more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Washington and Alabama and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within seven–fifteen days, but expedited options cost more.
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 Washington
More than 7.8 million people call Washington home. Nicknamed the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
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 Washington 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 Washington and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Washington to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Washington 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 Washington.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road 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 Washington to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Washington to Alabama is about 2,540 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from Washington to Alabama.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington 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 Washington and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Washington to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Washington 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 Washington to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Washington to Alabama costs $1,356 to $2,073.
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