($710) Cost to ship a car from Chapel Hill, NC to Huntsville, AL
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 554 miles from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to Huntsville, Alabama, ranges from $710 to $1,005. Costs vary depending on factors like the type of vehicle, transport method, and time of year. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Huntsville to Chapel Hill car shipping guide.
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The best Chapel Hill to Huntsville car shipping companies
We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Chapel Hill to Huntsville:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best marketplace: uShip
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Instant pricing from multiple providers
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- Mobile app
- Shipper service history & verified reviews
- All vehicle types
Top local car shippers in Chapel Hill
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Chapel Hill, NC:
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from NC to AL
- Coordinate with your movers. If you are relocating from Chapel Hill to Huntsville, many of the top long-distance moving companies partner with reputable car shippers nationwide, and can oversee auto transport for you as part of an overall relocation package. You won’t have to handle the logistics yourself, but you’ll be locked into your mover’s pick for car shipper and their pricing.
- Drive your car. There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 554-mile drive from Chapel Hill to Huntsville into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
- Use a driving service. Hiring someone else to drive your car directly from North Carolina to Alabama is an option, albeit an expensive one. And you’ll need to find a driver you trust to safely get your car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville. Plus, you’ll still be putting extra miles on your car regardless of who drives it there.
- Ship your car via train. Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to Huntsville, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting Chapel Hill to Huntsville car shipping costs
When transporting your vehicle from Chapel Hill to Huntsville, these factors will influence the cost:
Transport method
There are different options for shipping your car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you choose will depend on your specific needs.
When leaving Chapel Hill, 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 Huntsville, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping costs out of Chapel Hill will be determined in large part by what kind of car you have. As you might guess, the bigger the vehicle, the more it will cost. This is simply because it takes up more space and adds more weight to the carrier. So, a full-size SUV will be more expensive to ship to Huntsville than a compact car.
Distance and route
To put it simply — the longer the journey, the higher the price. Distance impacts pricing in terms of fuel and labor expenses, as well as adjacent costs like toll fees and carrier maintenance. Shipping your car 554 miles from Southern Part of Heaven to Rocket City will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within North Carolina.
Where you’re shipping your car matters here, too. Rates are usually lower for routes that are along major highways and will be higher for areas that are more remote.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Chapel Hill and Huntsville can impact car shipping prices.
The season and weather in both Chapel Hill and Huntsville can impact car shipping prices.
May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
Huntsville experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Huntsville is located in tornado alley.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville 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 554-mile distance between Chapel Hill and Huntsville 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 Chapel Hill to Huntsville typically takes between one and six days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.
Comparing Chapel Hill and Huntsville vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Chapel Hill: The Town of Chapel Hill manages a Residential Parking Permit program in neighborhoods that see high levels of transient parking, especially those around the University of North Carolina, to ensure that residents have safe and accessible neighborhoods. The Residential Parking Permit program allows qualifying residents who live within the parking zone to obtain a permit to park during the posted time limits. If you are unable to apply online, or have questions, please email parking@townofchapelhill.org.
- Huntsville: $0.50 per hour All parking meters are enforced Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Meters are not enforced on City of Huntsville’s recognized holidays.
Car insurance requirements
- Chapel Hill: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Huntsville: 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
- Chapel Hill: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Huntsville: 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
- Chapel Hill: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Huntsville: 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 Chapel Hill to Huntsville?
The cost to ship a car from Chapel Hill, NC to Huntsville, AL varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Chapel Hill to Huntsville will range from $710 to $1,005.
How long will it take to ship my car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville?
It will take approximately one to six days to ship your car the 554 miles from Chapel Hill to Huntsville. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Chapel Hill to Huntsville?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Chapel Hill to Huntsville than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 554-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.