Shipping a car to or from Florida costs $900–$1,300 between Miami and New York, $850–$1,150 between Tampa and Chicago, and $1,100–$1,500 for Florida–California on open transport. Transit runs 3–7 days from the Northeast, 5–9 days from the Midwest or Mountain West, and 7–10 days from the Pacific Coast. Snowbird season adds 10–20% to rates on the busiest lanes, so timing your booking matters more here than in almost any other state.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to or From Florida?
Florida pricing turns on four factors:
- Distance and origin. A Miami-to-New York shipment runs $900–$1,300 on open transport. Tampa to Chicago is typically $850–$1,150. Cross-country runs to California average $1,100–$1,500.
- Season. Snowbird peak — October through January southbound, March through May northbound — adds 10–20% to rates because carrier demand runs lopsided in one direction.
- Vehicle size. Full-size trucks and SUVs cost $100–$200 more per shipment than sedans because of the space and weight they take on the trailer.
- Transport type. Open is the standard. Enclosed costs 40–60% more and is the right call for vehicles worth $50K+, classics, or anything that can’t take minor road debris.
| Route | Open Transport | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Miami – New York | $900–$1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Tampa – Chicago | $850–$1,150 | 5–9 days |
| Florida – Texas | $750–$1,200 | 4–6 days |
| Florida – California | $1,100–$1,500 | 7–10 days |
Be suspicious of any quote more than 25% below these ranges. Florida has more transport scam operations than most states — usually brokers who collect a deposit and never dispatch a carrier. Our car shipping scams guide walks through the warning signs before you commit to anyone, including us.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to or From Florida?
Inbound transit runs 3–7 days from the Northeast, 5–9 days from the Midwest or Mountain West, and 7–10 days from the Pacific Coast. Once your vehicle is inside the state, delivery windows are typically 1–3 days. Door-to-door pickup works anywhere in Florida, with terminal drop-off available in Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
Two timing notes. First, snowbird season compresses carrier availability: if you’re shipping south between November and January, book 2–3 weeks ahead. Second, Florida is bigger than it looks on a map. Miami to Pensacola is a 7-hour drive, and carriers serving South Florida may not cover the Panhandle without a connection — confirm your carrier’s service area before you commit to a delivery window.
Florida Car Shipping Logistics: Snowbirds, Ports, and Hurricanes
The snowbird cycle drives everything. Florida receives more inbound vehicle shipments October through April than any other Sun Belt state, then the flow reverses each spring as seasonal residents head home to the Northeast and Midwest. That means southbound capacity is tight in fall and northbound capacity is tight in March through May — and pricing follows. If you’re a seasonal resident shipping twice a year, our snowbird car shipping guide covers how to book both legs without paying surge pricing on either.
Metro coverage. Miami is the state’s largest market and an international gateway. Orlando anchors the I-4 corporate relocation corridor with Tampa on the other end. Jacksonville is home to JAXPORT — one of North America’s top vehicle-handling ports, processing over 650,000 vehicles a year. Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota run above-average enclosed volume given the concentration of luxury and collector vehicles. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and St. Petersburg are snowbird hotspots with heavy Northeast-origin inbound traffic, and Gainesville cycles with the University of Florida calendar.
Military volume. Florida has one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the country — MacDill AFB, NAS Jacksonville, NAS Pensacola, Patrick SFB, Eglin AFB, and Hurlburt Field all generate steady PCS traffic. See our military car shipping page if you’re moving on orders.
Hurricane season is a scheduling factor, not a deal-breaker. June through November — especially August through October — storms can disrupt carrier routes in coastal areas. Carriers monitor weather continuously and will hold vehicles at a secure terminal if a storm threatens. Build buffer time into your schedule if you’re shipping during storm season.
International shipping is an option here. JAXPORT and PortMiami both handle vehicle exports with established freight forwarding networks. If you’re relocating overseas, coordinate with a licensed freight forwarder separately from your domestic carrier quote.
Popular Florida Auto Transport Routes
Florida sits at the end of more high-volume corridors than any other state. Each route below has its own guide with current pricing and transit detail.
- New York to Florida car shipping — the number-one snowbird corridor in the country, peaking October through January southbound.
- Florida to New York car shipping — the reverse leg, busiest March through May as seasonal residents head home.
- California to Florida car shipping — the long coast-to-coast haul at 7–10 days on open transport.
- Illinois to Florida car shipping — the Midwest’s biggest snowbird feeder, anchored by Chicago pickups.
- Michigan to Florida car shipping — another major Midwest seasonal lane with strong fall demand.
- Texas to Florida car shipping — the Gulf Coast regional run, typically 4–6 days.
Open or Enclosed Transport for Florida?
Open transport is how the majority of Florida shipments move, and it’s fine for most vehicles. Enclosed auto transport costs 40–60% more and earns its premium for classics, exotics, and vehicles worth $50K and up — a meaningful share of Florida traffic, given how many collector cars live in Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota garages.
Why Ship With Allied Auto Transport
We’re an FMCSA-licensed and bonded auto transport broker (MC #[MC NUMBER] / USDOT #[DOT NUMBER]). Every carrier in our network is vetted for active operating authority and current cargo insurance. Your quote is firm — we don’t collect a deposit and then “discover” the price went up, which is the single most common complaint in Florida transport. You get one direct contact who knows your shipment, not a call center. And we know these lanes: which weeks the southbound corridors fill, when the northbound reversal starts, and what a fair price looks like on every route in the table above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a car to Florida from New York?
Most open carrier shipments from the New York metro to Florida take 3–5 days. During peak snowbird season, allow 5–7 days — carrier demand is higher and trucks run full.
Is open or enclosed transport better for Florida?
Open transport is fine for most vehicles, and it’s how the majority of Florida shipments move. If you’re transporting a classic, exotic, or high-value vehicle, enclosed is worth the premium given the distances involved.
Why are Florida auto transport prices higher in winter?
Snowbird demand creates a directional imbalance. More vehicles move south than north from October through January, so southbound carriers fill quickly and pricing reflects that. The reverse happens in spring on northbound routes.
Can I ship a car to or from a military base in Florida?
Yes. We handle PCS moves to and from MacDill AFB, NAS Jacksonville, Patrick SFB, Eglin AFB, and Hurlburt Field. Ask about military rates when you request a quote.
What happens if there’s a hurricane while my car is in transit?
Carriers monitor weather continuously and will reroute or hold vehicles at a secure terminal if a storm threatens. You’ll be contacted before any schedule change. Comprehensive coverage on your own auto policy typically applies to weather damage in transit — confirm your policy details before shipping.
Get Your Quote
Tell us your route and your dates — especially if they fall inside snowbird season — and we’ll give you a firm price and a realistic pickup window.
Or call us at (800) 997-4181.
