Shipping a car a long distance costs more than shipping it to the next state, though less than most people expect. This guide gives typical 2026 prices from Alabama to the destinations we are asked about most, explains what moves them, and shows how the cost compares with driving.
Typical prices from Alabama
These figures are for a standard, running sedan on an open carrier. Distances are approximate and measured from Birmingham.
| Destination | Distance | Open carrier | Time in transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 640 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Chicago, IL | 665 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| New York, NY | 965 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Denver, CO | 1,310 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,690 mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | 2,030 mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
| Seattle, WA | 2,560 mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
Enclosed transport adds roughly 60 to 80 percent to any of these. A full-size SUV or pickup typically adds $75 to $150.
Why the price per mile falls as the distance grows
A 600-mile shipment and a 2,000-mile shipment both involve one pickup and one delivery. Loading, unloading, paperwork, and waiting take the same time either way. On a long haul those fixed costs are spread across far more miles, so the rate per mile drops. That is why a trip three times as long does not cost three times as much.
What pushes a long-distance price up or down
- The endpoints. Routes between large cities on major interstates are the cheapest. A pickup or delivery far from a highway adds to the cost.
- Direction and season. Prices rise in the direction most people are moving. Summer is the peak, and routes toward the Sun Belt are busy in winter.
- Vehicle size. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more of the trailer.
- Trailer type. Enclosed costs more than open.
- Timing. A flexible pickup window lowers the price. A fixed date or a rush raises it.
- Fuel. When diesel prices climb, carriers need more to cover a long trip.
How long it takes
A truck covers about 500 miles a day, because federal rules limit how long a driver may be behind the wheel. The carrier also stops to collect and deliver other vehicles. For a coast-to-coast route, plan on 7 to 10 days from pickup to delivery, and allow a few days before that for a carrier to be assigned.
Shipping compared with driving
Take Birmingham to Los Angeles, a little over 2,000 miles. Driving it means four or five days on the road. Add up what that involves:
- fuel for more than 2,000 miles;
- four hotel nights, give or take;
- meals for the whole trip;
- a one-way flight home, if you are not staying;
- an oil change and the wear on the tires; and
- four or five days of your time.
For many people the total comes close to the $1,100 to $1,800 that shipping costs, and that is before any value is placed on the time. If you are moving a household with two cars and one driver, shipping at least one of them is hard to avoid.
How to budget
For planning, use the middle of the range for your distance, then adjust. Add a little for a large vehicle, a summer date, or a rural address. Subtract a little if your dates are flexible and both ends are near an interstate. Then get an exact figure. Enter both ZIP codes in the quote tool on this page, and you will have an all-in price in about a minute.
Three ways to keep the cost down
- Book two weeks ahead, and give a pickup window of several days.
- Choose open transport unless the vehicle really calls for enclosed.
- If you live far from a highway, offer to meet the truck in the nearest city.
Whatever the route, the price we quote is all-inclusive, and you pay nothing until the vehicle is delivered.