How To Ship My Car To Florida? Shipping a car to Florida can simplify your move, purchase, or seasonal travel plans. Whether you’re relocating to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or any other Florida city, understanding the car shipping process can help ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Here’s what you need to know about shipping your vehicle to Florida.
Quick take: Shipping a car to Florida is simple when you know the process, the price drivers, and how to prepare. This guide explains how much to transport a car to Florida, how long it takes, how to choose open vs enclosed transport, how to book door-to-door pickup, and how to avoid surprise fees. You will also find checklists, timelines, and answers to the most common questions people ask before they ship.
Table of contents
- Why people ship a car to Florida
- What it really costs to ship a car to Florida
- How long car shipping to Florida takes
- Open vs enclosed when sending a vehicle to Florida
- Step-by-step: how to ship a car to Florida
- How to prepare your vehicle for transport
- Insurance, liability, and what happens if something goes wrong
- Money-saving tips for Florida car shipping
- Door-to-door vs terminal: which is right for you
- Seasonal moves: snowbirds, students, auctions, and relocations
- Frequently asked questions about shipping a car to Florida
- Final checklist before you book
1) Why people ship a car to Florida
Florida attracts millions of seasonal visitors and new residents every year. That creates steady demand for car shipping to Florida from every region in the United States. Common scenarios:
- Snowbirds heading south for winter who prefer to fly and have the car delivered to a condo or community gate.
- Students moving to universities in Gainesville, Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Boca Raton.
- Work relocations to Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Orlando, or South Florida, where commuting by car is essential.
- Auctions and dealers sending vehicles purchased online to Florida buyers.
- Military orders to Florida bases who need fast, predictable delivery windows.
No matter the reason, the process to ship a car to Florida is the same: choose a transport type, get an accurate quote, book a pickup window, and prepare the vehicle.
2) What it really costs to ship a car to Florida
Short answer: Most customers pay between $0.40 and $1.40 per mile, with the per-mile rate dropping on longer routes. Your total depends on distance, vehicle size, trailer type, season, and pickup or delivery locations.
To keep pricing competitive, we typically undercut national averages by about $0.10 per mile when lanes and dispatch capacity allow.
Typical price ranges by distance
- Short routes up to 500 miles: about $1.00 to $1.40 per mile on an open carrier and $1.40 to $1.90 per mile enclosed.
- Medium routes 500 to 1,500 miles: about $0.65 to $1.00 per mile open and $1.10 to $1.60 per mile enclosed.
- Long routes over 1,500 miles: about $0.40 to $0.75 per mile open and $0.75 to $1.20 per mile enclosed.
Example estimates for popular lanes into Florida on an open carrier (real-world windows, not exact quotes):
- New York City to Orlando: 1,080 miles, $850–$1,150
- Chicago to Tampa: 1,190 miles, $900–$1,200
- Dallas to Miami: 1,300 miles, $950–$1,300
- Atlanta to Jacksonville: 350 miles, $400–$550
- Los Angeles to Miami: 2,730 miles, $1,300–$1,850
If you have a large SUV, a dually pickup, or a modified vehicle, add $100–$300 based on weight, height, and ground clearance. Inoperable vehicles that still roll, steer, and brake usually add $100–$200 for winch time.
What moves your price up or down
- Seasonality: Rates to Florida climb in late fall and early winter when snowbirds travel. Return trips out of Florida see better deals in spring.
- Trailer type: Open is the value choice for most daily drivers. Enclosed is best for classics and luxury vehicles that require extra protection.
- Exact addresses: Dense urban pickup near narrow streets, gated communities with restrictions, or remote rural stops can affect dispatch availability and the final rate.
- Timing: Flexible one-week pickup windows give dispatch more carrier choices and often lower your price. Tight one-day windows cost more.
- Fuel trends and weather: Fuel surcharges and storm detours can move a quote.
If you want a firm number for your route, see our car shipping quotes tool on the homepage or ask for a quick call back. You will receive a binding window with the carrier type, insurance details, and pickup range.
3) How long car shipping to Florida takes
Transit time depends on distance, traffic, and delivery density around your drop-off area. Typical open-carrier timelines:
- 500 miles or less: 1 to 3 days
- 500 to 1,500 miles: 3 to 6 days
- 1,500+ miles: 5 to 10 days
Add a small buffer for weather, road closures, and DOT hours-of-service breaks. With door-to-door car shipping we coordinate a narrow delivery window the day before drop-off and keep you updated by text. If you prefer, we can meet at a nearby wide street or parking lot to make loading and unloading simple.
4) Open vs enclosed when sending a vehicle to Florida
Open auto transport is the standard option. It is cost-effective and safe for most cars, crossovers, and trucks. Vehicles are exposed to weather and road dust, similar to driving on the highway, and arrive ready for a simple rinse.
Enclosed auto transport costs more but adds full side and roof protection and uses soft-strap tie-downs. It is best for:
- Classic, luxury, and exotic vehicles
- Low-clearance sports cars
- Restored or show vehicles with delicate finishes
- New purchases where you want extra peace of mind
If you are unsure which is right for your car, our team will compare options and show you the price difference for your lane.
5) Step-by-step: how to ship a car to Florida
Use this easy plan when booking vehicle transport services.
Step 1: Get a written quote
Provide the year, make, model, running condition, pickup zip, delivery zip, and your target dates. We match the lane to vetted carriers and quote an open or enclosed rate.
Step 2: Choose open or enclosed
Every quote includes both options when available. If there is a steep driveway, HOA rules, or a narrow street at pickup or delivery, tell us now so we can plan a safe meeting spot.
Step 3: Reserve your pickup window
Select a first available date and a latest pickup date. Flexible windows help keep the price down and give dispatch more carrier options.
Step 4: Prepare your vehicle
Clean out loose items, photograph the exterior in daylight, note prior dings, fold mirrors, and leave about a quarter tank of fuel. See the full checklist below.
Step 5: Carrier inspection and bill of lading
At pickup, the driver walks around the car, notes condition, and you both sign the bill of lading. You will get a copy with the USDOT and MC numbers and a contact for updates.
Step 6: Track progress and coordinate delivery
We text or call with progress updates. On delivery day, meet the driver, inspect the car, compare to pickup photos, and sign the final bill of lading.
6) How to prepare your vehicle for transport
Use this pre-shipment checklist to keep things smooth and to protect your coverage.
Seven days before pickup
- Confirm your pickup and delivery addresses and the best contact numbers.
- Notify security or an HOA if required for transport trucks.
- If the car is inoperable, verify that it rolls, steers, and brakes.
Three days before pickup
- Remove all personal items and toll tags.
- Photograph the car from all sides in daylight, including close-ups of any prior marks.
- Fold mirrors and remove loose accessories like roof racks if possible.
- Check tire pressure and fluid leaks. If there is a drip, tell us so the carrier can prepare absorbent mats.
Day of pickup
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Provide one key to the driver.
- Sign the inspection report and keep your copy.
At delivery
- Inspect the car before signing.
- If you see something new, note it on the bill of lading and photograph it.
- Call us immediately so we can open a claim and help resolve it.
If you have any other questions, you can either contact us or check our Car shipping FAQs page.
7) Insurance, liability, and what happens if something goes wrong
All carriers we dispatch carry active cargo coverage and liability insurance. Coverage limits vary by carrier type and are listed on your dispatch confirmation. During transport, the carrier is responsible for physical damage that occurs on the truck, subject to policy terms and any state and federal rules.
What to do if you suspect damage:
- Note it on the delivery bill of lading before signing.
- Photograph the area in daylight from multiple angles.
- Contact us right away. We coordinate with the carrier and insurance to make you whole.
We always choose carriers with strong records, but we also stand behind our customers in the rare event of a claim.
8) Money-saving tips for Florida car shipping
- Be flexible on pickup by a few days. Carriers build efficient routes by grouping vehicles.
- Choose open transport for daily drivers and save the enclosed premium for exotics and restorations.
- Avoid holidays and peak weeks when snowbirds travel. If you can ship a week earlier or later, you can save.
- Meet the driver at a wide street or nearby lot if your address is tight for a large truck. This avoids delays and redelivery attempts.
- Book both ways if you are a seasonal traveler. Return-trip bundles often cost less overall.
If you need the absolute lowest price to ship a car to Florida, ask for a budget dispatch option with a wider pickup window. We will be transparent about how that affects timing.
9) Door-to-door vs terminal: which is right for you
Door-to-door means the carrier picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as safety and local rules allow. It’s the most convenient and the default for our customers.
Terminal shipping involves dropping off and retrieving your car at a staging lot. It can help when your travel schedule is fixed and you want to ship a few days earlier than your arrival, but terminals add storage fees and require extra coordination.
For most people shipping a car to Florida, door-to-door car shipping is faster, simpler, and often the best value.
10) Seasonal moves: snowbirds, students, auctions, and relocations
Snowbird auto transport
Traffic into Florida spikes from late October through January. Book early for the best price and schedule. If you have a condo with access rules, give the driver the gate process and preferred meeting spot.
Student auto transport
Headed to UF, FSU, UCF, USF, or UM? Students love door-to-dorm delivery windows and parent updates. Ask about student discounts on select lanes into Florida.
Auction car shipping
Buying at Manheim, IAA, Copart, or a dealer auction? Provide the lot release, buyer number, and any storage deadlines. We coordinate carrier access and loading requirements.
Corporate relocation
If your company covers moving benefits, ask for a written estimate and proof of carrier insurance up front. We can bill your employer directly when needed.
11) Frequently asked questions about shipping a car to Florida
How much to transport a car to Florida from my state?
Use the quick rules above to estimate. Multiply your miles by the per-mile range for open or enclosed. For a precise number, request a quote with your dates and exact addresses. The phrase how much to transport a car is the most common question we see, and the answer always depends on distance, timing, and vehicle details.
How do I ship a car to Florida if I am already there?
We can coordinate with a friend, family member, or seller at pickup. They sign the bill of lading and hand the key to the driver. You meet the carrier at delivery in Florida.
Can I put personal items in the car?
Small, non-valuable items under 100 pounds placed below window level are usually fine on open carriers at the driver’s discretion. Heavier loads require notice and may affect pricing. For insurance reasons, do not ship high-value items.
How long does it take to ship a car to Florida?
Most cross-country trips take five to ten days once the car is on a truck. Southeast and East Coast routes are often faster.
Is open transport safe for my car?
Yes. Open transport is used for new cars moving between factories and dealers. It exposes your vehicle to weather and road dust, similar to normal driving. If you want full coverage from the elements, choose enclosed.
What documents do I need?
Only your order confirmation and the title or registration that proves ownership. If you are buying from a dealer or auction, provide the release.
Do you offer tracking?
Yes. We update by text and phone, and the driver will coordinate delivery timing on the final day.
What if my street is too tight for a large carrier?
We set a safe meeting point nearby, like a shopping center or wide street. The service is still considered door-to-door.
12) Final checklist before you book
- Decide open or enclosed
- Choose a pickup window and allow a little flexibility
- Gather your keys and contact numbers for pickup and delivery
- Remove personal items and toll tags
- Photograph the car in daylight
- Confirm access instructions for gated communities or condos
- Keep about one quarter tank of fuel
- Sign the bill of lading at pickup and delivery
When you are ready, request your quote. We will confirm availability, show the rate for open and enclosed options, and coordinate your door-to-door car shipping all the way to Florida.
Conclusion
Shipping your car to Florida is a practical solution for relocation, vehicle transactions, or seasonal travel. By selecting a reliable car shipping company, preparing your vehicle properly, and staying informed throughout the process, you can ensure a smooth and successful transport experience. Contact a trusted car shipping provider today to get a quote and start the process of shipping your vehicle to Florida.