Huntsville, AL Car Shipping
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Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
The cost to ship a car to or from Huntsville is typically $450 on a short regional run and up to $2,500 coast to coast, on an open trailer, and takes between 1 to 8 days in transit time. Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama, home to Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Smart Auto Move provides nationwide car shipping throughout the lower 48 states, backed by four strategically located staffed offices, six additional service areas, and a trusted carrier network of more than 16,000 transport professionals nationwide. Our extensive network allows us to serve customers across the continental U.S. with reliable vehicle transport from coast to coast.
Service is not currently available in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.
Huntsville Car Shipping Prices
Every row is a running mid-size car on an open trailer, shipped to or from Huntsville. Madison, Decatur, Athens, Meridianville and Hazel Green ship with Huntsville.
| Route | Also covers | Distance | Days on the road | Distance range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA, TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA | ||||
| Huntsville to Decatur SHORTEST | Hartselle | About 25 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Chattanooga | Cleveland TN | About 100 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Birmingham | Hoover, Tuscaloosa | About 100 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Nashville | Franklin, Murfreesboro | About 110 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Montgomery | Prattville | About 190 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Atlanta | Marietta, Alpharetta | About 200 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Knoxville | Maryville | About 205 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Memphis | Southaven, Germantown | About 215 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Louisville | Lexington | About 270 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Mobile | Daphne | About 340 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| THE SOUTH, FLORIDA AND THE EAST | ||||
| Huntsville to Charlotte | Concord, Rock Hill | About 380 miles | 1 day | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to New Orleans | Metairie, Kenner | About 430 miles | 2 days | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Orlando | Kissimmee, Tampa | About 590 miles | 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Dallas | Fort Worth, Plano | About 640 miles | 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Washington, DC | Northern Virginia | About 680 miles | 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Houston | Katy, Sugar Land | About 690 miles | 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Miami | Fort Lauderdale | About 820 miles | 2 to 3 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to New York City | Newark, Jersey City | About 900 miles | 3 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| THE MIDWEST AND THE WEST | ||||
| Huntsville to St. Louis | St. Charles | About 420 miles | 2 days | $450 to $900 |
| Huntsville to Chicago | Naperville, Aurora | About 600 miles | 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Denver | Aurora CO, Colorado Springs | About 1,220 miles | 3 to 4 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Huntsville to Phoenix | Mesa, Scottsdale | About 1,600 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,250 to $2,100 |
| Huntsville to Los Angeles | Long Beach, Orange County | About 1,950 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,250 to $2,100 |
| Huntsville to Seattle | Tacoma, Lakewood | About 2,550 miles | 7 to 8 days | $1,600 to $2,500 |
Where these figures come from. Each row shows the range we publish nationwide for that distance, on our 2026 car shipping cost guide. We publish a Huntsville price for each route once real Huntsville loads stand behind it. Until then, your quote gives you the exact figure, and the Smart Price Promise holds it.
Under 500 miles
$450 to $900. Decatur, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Nashville, Montgomery.
500 to 1,500 miles
$900 to $1,600. Orlando, Dallas, Washington, DC, Houston, Miami.
1,500 to 2,500 miles
$1,250 to $2,100. Phoenix, Los Angeles.
Over 2,500 miles
$1,600 to $2,500. Seattle.
Shipping a car for a Redstone Arsenal or NASA move?
Redstone Arsenal sits on the southwest side of Huntsville, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is on the base. Many cars here belong to service members, civilians and contractors starting new jobs.
Read your orders first
Some military orders cover shipping a vehicle and some pay you to drive it. The base transportation office can tell you which applies.
Book when you have dates
Start dates are fixed. Book as soon as you know yours, and we set the window so the car lands when you do.
Meet outside the gate
A car carrier is about 75 feet long and the driver has no base pass. We meet at a lot outside the gate.
Huntsville Car Shipping Questions
The questions we get asked most about Huntsville, answered with this area's own numbers rather than national averages.
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Huntsville?
The cost to ship a car to or from Huntsville is typically $450 on a short regional run and up to $2,500 coast to coast, on an open trailer, and takes between 1 to 8 days in transit time. Decatur is about 25 miles away. Seattle is about 2,550 miles.
Why does this page show ranges by distance instead of a price for each route?
We publish a route price once real Huntsville loads stand behind it. Until then, each row shows our national range for that distance, and your quote gives the exact figure.
What sets the price of Huntsville car shipping?
Distance comes first. Then the size of the vehicle, whether it runs, open or enclosed, the time of year, and how easily a truck can reach your street. A wider pickup window helps the most.
How long does it take to ship a car from Huntsville?
Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta and Memphis are 1 day. Orlando, Dallas and Chicago are 2 days. Denver is 3 to 4 days. The West Coast is 5 to 8 days.
How soon will a truck pick up my car?
Pickup happens inside a window that starts on the date you ask for. Standard service is a 6-day window. Expedited service is a 3-day window.
Do you ship cars for Redstone Arsenal moves?
Yes. Read your orders first, since some cover shipping a vehicle and some pay you to drive it. Book as soon as you have dates. We meet at a lot outside the gate.
Can a carrier reach my Huntsville street?
Usually yes. Older areas like Twickenham and some HOA subdivisions may mean a nearby lot instead, at no extra cost.
Does Madison or Decatur cost the same as Huntsville?
Yes. Madison, Decatur, Athens, Meridianville and Hazel Green all share these prices.
Should I pick open or enclosed transport in Huntsville?
Open is the right call for most cars. Plan on about 80 percent more than open for enclosed. A $1,000 open move is roughly $1,800 enclosed. A hard-sided trailer holds two to six cars where an open one holds ten, so each car carries more of the cost. Worth it for a classic, an exotic, fresh paint, or a car too low to clear a ramp. For a daily driver, open is the right call.
Is my car insured while it ships from Huntsville?
Yes. Your car is covered by the carrier's Carrier Cargo Insurance from pickup to delivery. Once your order is assigned to a truck and carrier, we can send you the certificate of insurance right away.
Who is going to ship my car?
Smart Auto Move is. We place your car with a carrier we have vetted and worked with, and we stay with the move from pickup to delivery. We will get your car moved, or your money back.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. Most drivers will take a few things as a courtesy. Keep it under about 100 pounds, pack it neatly, and keep it out of sight from outside the car. Think a few boxes in the trunk rather than a carload. The one thing to know is that you are paying to move the vehicle, so the carrier's insurance covers the car itself. Keep anything you would hate to lose with you.
How do I get my car ready to ship?
Wash it so the inspection is clear. Take photos from every side. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Take out toll tags, garage openers and loose valuables. Tell us about any leaks or problems with starting. Then hand over one key.
How far ahead should I book Huntsville car shipping?
One to two weeks is enough for most routes. Give a little more for the busy summer moving season. Booking earlier does not cost more.
How does payment work?
We take a deposit when you book and the balance is due at delivery. Drivers usually take a cashier's check, money order or cash. You can also put the full amount on a credit card, but only at the time of booking, so the funds are ready for the carrier.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Cancel any time before we assign a carrier and your deposit comes back to you. Once we assign one and send you the driver's details, that money is spoken for. It is not gone, though. You can push the move back and use it on a later shipment.
How do I know a car shipping company is legitimate?
Check its USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA site, and read its reviews on the BBB and Google. Smart Auto Move is USDOT 2887232 and MC 969368, with a BBB A+ rating. Be careful of a quote far below the others. Ask that company if the rate is confirmed, then look for complaints about the price going up later.
Why do you take a deposit?
A deposit means we only work with committed customers, and it shows we are confident we can book a carrier at the price we quoted. A company that takes nothing up front is often not sure it can. Those are often the ones that come back later with a higher rate.
What do I need to register a car in Alabama?
You have 30 days. Bring the car for a VIN check at the Madison County license office, or have an Alabama law officer complete the form. Bring proof of Alabama insurance and your old title and registration.
Do you have an office near Huntsville?
Our nearest service areas are McKinney and Houston, Texas. Our national team handles Huntsville moves at 888-709-9078. Your car goes straight from your address onto the carrier.
Can you ship a car that does not run?
Yes. A non-running car needs a winch or a carrier with a lift, so it usually costs $200 or more above the same car running. Tell us when you book. We will talk it through and give you an accurate price.
Can I track my car while it ships?
You get the driver's phone number for calls or texts, plus email updates from us. GPS tracking is there when the carrier and the truck support it. We will tell you which applies once your carrier is assigned.
What happens on delivery day?
The driver calls ahead with a time. You walk around the car together and compare it with the pickup report. You note anything new on the Bill of Lading, sign, and pay the balance. Then the car is yours.
Can a car carrier reach my Huntsville street?
Usually yes. Most Huntsville and Madison streets are wide and easy.
Older neighborhoods
Twickenham and Five Points have tighter streets and low trees. We may meet at a nearby lot.
New subdivisions
Some HOAs limit large trucks. A store lot at the entrance works well.
It costs nothing extra
A nearby lot is often quicker, and the price is the same.
Where around Huntsville can you pick up, and does location change the price?
Not within the area. Huntsville and the nearby towns share these prices. What matters most is how easily a truck can reach your street.
Huntsville car shipping
Downtown, Five Points, Twickenham, Jones Valley and the neighborhoods off I-565 and Memorial Parkway.
Madison
West on I-565, near Redstone Arsenal.
Decatur
West on I-565 and I-65.
Athens
West on US-72 and I-65.
Meridianville and Hazel Green
North on US-231.
Dealers and auctions
Give us the name and release hours. Many lots want a set pickup time.
Smart Auto Move Inc
Our nearest service areas are McKinney and Houston, Texas
National line 888-709-9078
Registered business address: 4208 Six Forks Rd Ste 1000, Raleigh, NC 27609.
Your car is never stored anywhere. It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the whole trip.
What do you need to register a car in Alabama after it ships?
Alabama handles registration at the county.
30 days
New residents have 30 days to register a vehicle in Alabama.
A VIN check
A car with an out-of-state title needs its VIN checked. Bring the car to the license office, or have an Alabama law officer complete the form.
Alabama insurance
Bring proof of liability insurance from a company licensed in Alabama, plus your old title and registration.
Rules change from time to time, so check the Alabama Department of Revenue site before your visit.
How Huntsville Car Shipping Works, Step by Step
Get your price
Give us both ZIP codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, your first date, and open or enclosed. The Smart Price Promise holds the quote.
Book with a deposit
We take a deposit and start placing your car with a vetted carrier. Pickup runs inside a 6-day window from your date, or 3 days with expedited.
Meet the driver
You get the driver's details once a carrier is assigned. The driver calls ahead. You walk around the car together and sign the pickup report.
Take delivery
The driver calls ahead again. Check the car against the pickup report, sign, and pay the balance.
Open, Enclosed and Expedited Huntsville Auto Transport
Open transport
The way most cars ship. A daily driver, an SUV or a pickup rides on an open carrier with up to ten vehicles. It is the right call for most Huntsville moves.
Enclosed transport
Plan on about 80 percent more than open. Worth it for a classic, an exotic, fresh paint or a car too low to clear a ramp.
Expedited transport
Pickup inside a 3-day window instead of 6. Good when you have a start date, a closing date, or orders to report.
Should you ship your car or drive it out of Huntsville?
Drive it when
The trip is short, like Decatur, Birmingham, Nashville or Chattanooga. The car runs well. You have the time and you are going anyway.
Ship it when
The trip is long, like Texas, the East Coast or the West. You would need a flight back. You have two cars and one driver. The car does not run, or nobody can make the drive.
Top 5 Reasons to ship your vehicle to or from Huntsville, AL instead of driving
- Skip the hard driving days. Long trips across several states bring weather, traffic and roads you do not know. Hand those miles to a driver who runs them every week.
- Rentals add up fast. A rental while you are away costs real money, comes with rules, and never feels like your own car.
- Get there sooner. Driving coast to coast eats days. Fly, land, and meet your car at the other end.
- Keep your travel money. Gas, motels, meals, tolls and the odd repair add up to more than most people expect.
- Enjoy the trip you planned. Storms, closures and a check-engine light can turn a drive into a three-day delay.
What our customers say
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
Alabama and Southeast Car Shipping Pages and Guides
Written by Richard Avery
President, Smart Auto Move Inc
Richard Avery founded Smart Auto Move because too many auto transport companies were treating customers badly. There was no easy way to tell an honest company from the rest. He has worked in vehicle transport for over a decade, and writes about routes, pricing and carrier coordination. The ranges on this page come from the national bands we publish, and they are reviewed as the market moves.
October 2026
Ready to ship a car to or from Huntsville?
Start with both ZIP codes, the vehicle details and your first available date. We will give you the real figure for your route and hold it with the Smart Price Promise.