Cost to ship a car from Birmingham to Wilmington

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 850 miles from Birmingham to Wilmington ranges from $896 to $1,395. Depending on factors like the transport type and season, you can expect your vehicle to land in Wilmington, DE in 2–7 days. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Wilmington to Birmingham car shipping guide.

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Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies and 2,400 car shippers across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed car shipping experiences through our Better Moves project. We routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.

We created our own system for analyzing and rating car shipping companies on important factors like pricing, variety of services, customer feedback, and availability. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.

Factors affecting Birmingham to Wilmington car shipping costs

Companies base their car shipping costs on a variety of factors. When transporting your vehicle from Birmingham to Wilmington, these factors will influence the cost:

Type of transport

There are different options for transporting your car from Birmingham to Wilmington, such as open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport, each catering to specific needs. When leaving Birmingham, open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to Wilmington, refer to our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.

Vehicle size and type

The size and weight of your vehicle play a crucial role in determining shipping costs out of Birmingham. Larger and heavier vehicles are more expensive to ship. For instance, shipping a large SUV to Wilmington will cost more than a compact car due to the additional space and weight.

Distance and route

The distance from the B'ham to the Chemical Capital of the World — approximately 850 miles — directly influences fuel and labor costs. The longer the journey, the higher the cost.

Time of the year

The season and weather in both Birmingham and Wilmington can impact car shipping prices.

Birmingham has hot summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Birmingham is also located in tornado alley.

Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.

During peak times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Birmingham to Wilmington during these peak seasons can result in higher costs due to increased demand.

Fuel prices

Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 850-mile distance between Birmingham and Wilmington and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.

Delivery expectations

Being flexible with your delivery dates can sometimes lead to discounts from your auto shipper. However, shipping a car from Birmingham to Wilmington typically takes between 2 and 7 days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.

Birmingham to Wilmington car shipping companies

We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Birmingham to Wilmington:

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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable

Comparing Birmingham and Wilmington vehicle regulations

Parking permits

  • Birmingham: Current parking rates, which range from $1 an hour (for 2-hour or less meters) to $0.50 an hour (for 10-hour meters), will not change as part of ordinance modification.
  • Wilmington: Meters accept nickels, dimes, and quarters. Parking rates are posted on each meter. You may purchase 15 minutes of parking for a quarter, 6 minutes of parking for a dime, and 3 minutes of parking for a nickel. You may park at a meter for up to two hours.

Car insurance requirements

  • Birmingham: 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.
  • Wilmington: Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for property damage per accident.

Vehicle inspections

  • Birmingham: 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.
  • Wilmington: In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.

Driver’s license

  • Birmingham: 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.
  • Wilmington: Drivers moving to Delaware from another state must update their driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident.

FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a car from Birmingham to Wilmington?

The cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Wilmington, DE varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed), the size and weight of the vehicle, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Birmingham to Wilmington will range from $896 to $1,395.

How long will it take to ship my car from Birmingham to Wilmington?

It will take approximately 2–7 days to ship your car the 850 miles from Birmingham to Wilmington. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.

What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Birmingham to Wilmington?

An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Birmingham to Wilmington. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.

Helpful Birmingham resources