Alabama to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,228 miles from Alabama to Rhode Island ranges from $949 to $1,497 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Rhode Island to Alabama car shipping guide.

The best Alabama to Rhode Island car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Alabama to Rhode Island:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Rhode Island

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,228 miles on your car going from Alabama to Rhode Island. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
  • Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from Alabama for a move to Rhode Island, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Alabama to Rhode Island for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
  • Ship by train. If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!

AL to RI auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Alabama and Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 1,228 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Rhode Island

From Alabama to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntsville, AL to Providence, RI $888 – $1,474 1,105 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Warwick, RI $864 – $1,291 1,097 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Cranston, RI $870 – $1,404 1,102 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to Pawtucket, RI $861 – $1,446 1,109 miles 2 – 8 days
Huntsville, AL to East Providence, RI $923 – $1,361 1,105 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Rhode Island

From Alabama to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Birmingham, AL to Providence, RI $914 – $1,390 1,149 miles 2 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Warwick, RI $888 – $1,446 1,143 miles 2 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Cranston, RI $888 – $1,460 1,147 miles 2 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to Pawtucket, RI $923 – $1,432 1,155 miles 2 – 8 days
Birmingham, AL to East Providence, RI $941 – $1,404 1,151 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Rhode Island

From Alabama to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Montgomery, AL to Providence, RI $997 – $1,556 1,235 miles 2 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Warwick, RI $920 – $1,511 1,228 miles 2 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Cranston, RI $968 – $1,556 1,232 miles 2 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to Pawtucket, RI $968 – $1,452 1,240 miles 2 – 8 days
Montgomery, AL to East Providence, RI $1,007 – $1,482 1,236 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Rhode Island

From Alabama to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Mobile, AL to Providence, RI $1,139 – $1,597 1,402 miles 3 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Warwick, RI $986 – $1,521 1,394 miles 3 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Cranston, RI $1,079 – $1,614 1,399 miles 3 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to Pawtucket, RI $1,062 – $1,565 1,406 miles 3 – 8 days
Mobile, AL to East Providence, RI $1,084 – $1,678 1,402 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Rhode Island

From Alabama to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Tuscaloosa, AL to Providence, RI $968 – $1,541 1,207 miles 2 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Warwick, RI $949 – $1,437 1,200 miles 2 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Cranston, RI $1,016 – $1,541 1,204 miles 2 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to Pawtucket, RI $997 – $1,541 1,212 miles 2 – 8 days
Tuscaloosa, AL to East Providence, RI $1,016 – $1,497 1,208 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Rhode Island

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 Alabama to Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,186 and $1,871.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from AL to RI

When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Ocean State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
  • Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Rhode Island.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Rhode Island spans approximately 1,228 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Alabama, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Alabama and Rhode Island and the varying gas prices across the country.
  • Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Alabama to Rhode Island should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Alabama

More than 39 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed 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.

Transporting your vehicle to Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Rhode Island?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in Rhode Island.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Rhode Island?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, which you should verify before loading your car in Alabama.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.

When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Rhode Island?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Rhode Island is about 1,228 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Alabama to Rhode Island.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

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.

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Rhode Island?

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Rhode Island after purchasing it.

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Rhode Island?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Rhode Island 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 Alabama to Rhode Island?

Shipping a car from Alabama to Rhode Island costs $949 to $1,497.

Helpful Alabama resources