Cost to ship a car from Wilmington to Birmingham

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 850 miles from Wilmington to Birmingham ranges from $962 to $1,465. Depending on factors like the transport type and season, you can expect your vehicle to land in Birmingham, AL 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 Birmingham to Wilmington car shipping guide.

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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 Wilmington to Birmingham car shipping costs

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

Type of transport

There are different options for transporting your car from Wilmington to Birmingham, such as open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport, each catering to specific needs. When leaving Wilmington, 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 Birmingham, 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 Wilmington. Larger and heavier vehicles are more expensive to ship. For instance, shipping a large SUV to Birmingham will cost more than a compact car due to the additional space and weight.

Distance and route

The distance from the Chemical Capital of the World to the B'ham — 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 Wilmington and Birmingham can impact car shipping prices.

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

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

During peak times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Wilmington to Birmingham 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 Wilmington and Birmingham 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 Wilmington to Birmingham 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.

Wilmington to Birmingham car shipping companies

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

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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 Wilmington and Birmingham vehicle regulations

Parking permits

  • 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.
  • 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.

Car insurance requirements

  • 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.
  • 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.

Vehicle inspections

  • 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.
  • 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.

Driver’s license

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

FAQ

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

The cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to Birmingham, AL 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 Wilmington to Birmingham will range from $962 to $1,465.

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

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

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

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

Helpful Wilmington resources