Route guide · CA → AL
Shipping a car from California to Alabama
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Huntsville costs about $1,200–$1,700 on an open carrier and $1,775–$2,550 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #168 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,450
- Road miles
- 2,130
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 6.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 141
City to city
What it costs between California and Alabama cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery — 2,010 to 2,480 road miles apart.
| From | Huntsville | Mobile | Birmingham | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,200–$1,7002,130 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7002,130 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7252,190 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Francisco | $1,275–$1,8252,390 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,410 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,410 mi · 5–9 days | $1,300–$1,8502,480 mi · 5–9 days |
| San Diego | $1,175–$1,6752,060 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,060 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,110 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Jose | $1,250–$1,7752,310 mi · 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,8002,330 mi · 5–9 days | $1,250–$1,8002,330 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,400 mi · 5–9 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Huntsville, 2,130 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,775–$2,550 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,325–$1,900 | $2,000–$2,875 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,500–$2,125 | $2,225–$3,200 |
| Pickup truck | $1,550–$2,225 | $2,325–$3,325 |
| Motorcycle | $725–$1,025 | $1,075–$1,525 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Alabama is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,450 Peak: about $1,575
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Alabama
About 6,033 people moved from California to Alabama in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,921 in 2023, 7,145 in 2024). That is 0.9% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 1,782 people a year go the other way, Alabama to California. Trucks heading into Alabama fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,450, shipping from California to Alabama costs more than sending a car to Illinois ($1,425) and Wisconsin ($1,425) but less than to Kentucky ($1,475) and Georgia ($1,500). That works out to about 68¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,130 road miles, Los Angeles to Huntsville is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 5–8 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads east and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific to Central time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Alabama, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Alabama
19 companies based in Alabama: 19 carriers, 0 brokers, 47 trucks in total, 12 years in business on average.
- Auto Carriers Inc Horton · 4 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1674294
- Hancock Trucking LLC Albertville · 4 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3354139
- Southeast Auto Logistics LLC Attalla · 4 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3754721
- Auto Ambulance Falkville · 3 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2034416
- Mray Auto Transport LLC Huntsville · 3 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2504407
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Alabama but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Alabama
To Alabama from states near California
FAQ
California to Alabama car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Alabama's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Alabama?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,200–$1,700 from Los Angeles to Huntsville (2,130 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,150–$1,850. An SUV costs about $1,325–$1,900, a pickup $1,550–$2,225, and an enclosed trailer $1,775–$2,550 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Alabama?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,130-mile trip from Los Angeles to Huntsville. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Alabama?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Alabama after moving?
Alabama requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. The 30 days run from the date the car enters Alabama; penalties start on day 31.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Alabama?
Driving 2,130 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $270 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,200–$1,700. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Alabama?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 19 based in Alabama, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.