Shipping a Car from Houston, TX to Birmingham, AL
Houston, TX to Birmingham, AL is a 675-mile northeastbound haul that runs through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. A carrier needs about two days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 1–2 days in transit once the car is loaded. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Houston. Giant Gulf Coast metro and port with deep carrier supply, but exposed to hurricane-season delays. Houston is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Drivers often use the George Bush Intercontinental Airport area as a staging reference.
Delivery in Birmingham. Alabama's biggest metro, where I-20, I-59 and I-65 meet on the Atlanta-New Orleans-Nashville axis. Birmingham sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability. The nearest major airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver.
Timing and Seasonality
Hurricane season (June to November) can pause or reroute trucks along the coast. Start getting quotes roughly two weeks ahead for a move of 675 miles. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Alabama, humid summers and Gulf storm risk near the coast.
What Houston to Birmingham Costs
Current estimates put open transport for a standard sedan at $505–$745, which is about $0.93 per mile over 675 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($565–$835); enclosed sedan transport is $730–$1,080, roughly 45% more than open. Ending in Montgomery instead (100 mi from Birmingham) is estimated at $505–$740. A comparable-length trip, Chicago, IL to Tulsa, OK (712 mi), is priced at $535–$785.
| Trailer | Vehicle | Estimated Cost | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $505–$745 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $565–$835 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $565–$835 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $730–$1,080 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In Alabama, I-65 and I-20/I-59 carry most freight, with Birmingham as the main junction. In Louisiana, I-10 crosses the long Atchafalaya Basin bridge and I-20 runs across the north. Mississippi: I-55, I-20 and I-59 carry through freight. Metros near that straight-line path include Jackson (MS), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank is plenty for the trip to Birmingham.
- Have a storm plan. For coastal legs from June to November, agree on a backup date up front.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $505–$745 fits most cars; enclosed at $730–$1,080 suits luxury, classic or low cars.