Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from San Diego, California to Dothan, Alabama

The cost to ship a car from California to Alabama on a long-distance route usually lands between $1,284 and $1,916. Your total depends on distance, time of year, and transport options. See our full pricing breakdown.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances (under 500 miles), but for long cross-country moves (over 1,000 miles), shipping can become comparable or even cheaper when factoring in gas, food, lodging, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle, making driving better for short trips and shipping often better for long, busy, or difficult trips. The decision balances cost, time, and convenience, as shipping saves you time and adds miles/wear, while driving costs less upfront but adds stress and expenses.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is usually open transport, where it's hauled on a multi-car trailer, and by choosing terminal-to-terminal service (dropping off/picking up at transport hubs) over door-to-door, along with booking in advance and being flexible with dates. For maximum savings, you can also consider driving it yourself if feasible, or hiring someone to drive it for you, though these have trade-offs.