
Shipping Car from California to Florida
I will teach you how to ship a car from California to Florida without any headaches. Whether you are shipping to Miami, Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, or other cities in the Sunshine State, there are simple steps you can follow to make your Delivery process hassle-free and with peace of mind.
It’s Not That Hard If You Follow These Steps
Shipping a car or SUV from the West Coast to the East Coast may seem stressful for most, but it doesn’t have to be.
But Don’t Make This Mistake
Some people try to brave it on their own. Don’t do this. You may think you want to drive 2,700 miles, but you don’t. There is no need to put additional wear and tear on your car and yourself.
You also have to think about how much gas, food, lodging, and time you will waste making the trip. In most cases, you will spend the same amount it would have cost to Deliver your vehicle in the first place.
Auto shipping companies usually schedule multiple deliveries simultaneously to maximize the return on a lengthy trip. This is how they offer competitive prices.
Shipping routes have become increasingly efficient over the years, shipping rates are as competitive as ever, and more and more people are doing it.

So, you probably have a few questions
- How much does it cost?
- How long is it going to take?
- How does my car get shipped?
- What do I need to do?
These are common questions and great ones!
Let us unpack them one by one.
How Much Does It Cost for Car Transport From California to Florida?
The price will vary depending on several factors.

How big is your vehicle?
Larger vehicles may require special treatment, which tends to cost more. It’s much easier to ship a compact car or vehicle of smaller size than shipping a large truck that doesn’t fit in a traditional trailer.
How quickly do you need it Logistics?
Like anything in life, the quicker you want it, the more it will cost. These same rules apply to shipping.
Are you Delivering it to a location along a major highway?
A lot of people don’t think about this one, but it can actually cost you more if you want your car dropped off far from a major highway. If the mileage is far from a major road, expect to pay more. Also, there are popular car shipping locations and routes. Shipping along such routes means car carriers can ship your car with others along the exact delivery location, thereby reducing car costs.
Do you require additional insurance?
All car shipping companies carry insurance by default. The amount of coverage will depend on the minimum requirement and whether they offer extended insurance coverage plans.
Suppose you are shipping a rare or valuable car. In that case, it is always recommended that you purchase enough insurance to cover any damage that may be caused to your vehicle during shipping.

What time of year are you Dispatch?
Have you ever heard the term "snowbirds"? If you haven’t, it is a term for retirees who migrate south during the winter.
They are relatively harmless, but you should try to avoid shipping your car during snowbird season. Demand is usually high around this time, and auto shipping prices can go up. This is especially true if you are trying to ship a car from California to Florida.

Here’s what I recommend at the end
Price isn’t everything. If you want your car appropriately shipped and arrive undamaged, paying for a quality auto shipping company is almost always worth it.
So many customers have had lousy auto shipping experiences because they try to price gouge.
Remember this one rule
You get what you pay for.

How Long Is It Going to Take?
Shipping a car from California to Florida takes a long time.
You should expect your car to take a little over a week, or 7-10 days, depending on the city and the particular area you are shipping to. Pickup usually takes around 3 days, while total delivery time is around 6 days.

How Does My Car Get Dispatched?
Open and enclosed auto transport are the two most common domestic car shipping methods.
Here’s the main difference
- Open auto transport is the most common. You’ve no doubt seen trucks pulling a rack full of cars before. This vehicle-hauling method tends to be cheaper than an enclosed trailer, but your vehicle is susceptible to the elements, weather, and other unforeseen accidents during transit. For your average vehicle, you should choose this method. Still, the chances of something going wrong are slim. When you think about it, almost every car in the United States was shipped after being manufactured. I’m willing to bet that most of those cars are perfectly fine.
- Enclosed Carrier is another option that is available to you. As its name suggests, your Automobile is loaded onto an enclosed trailer and shipped across the country. This transportation method tends to be a little more expensive in terms of fees, but it provides extra protection. We usually recommend this method if you are shipping rare or exotic cars.

What do I need to do?
Before shipping your car from California to Florida, you must do a few things.
I’m going to condense it for you below:
- Verify that your vehicle's registration and insurance are current and your driver's license is legitimate.
- Before shipping your car, ensure it is spotless and in good condition. Keep meticulous records. Make sure your automobile shipping company hears you.
- Clean your car thoroughly. Leave nothing behind. Car shipping businesses often decline to transport vehicles with personal belongings inside due to liability concerns.
- Decide if you want to get additional insurance to protect your vehicle
- Upon delivery, your vehicle must be retrieved, so plan accordingly.
- Search around for multiple quotations.
Logistics Doesn’t Have To Be Hard
Shipping a car from California to Florida is pretty easy now. Gone are the days when shipping is a confusing and stressful experience.
The auto shipping industry is highly efficient and competitive these days.
Relevant Statistics
- The average car transport cost from California to Florida is approximately $1,200.
- Over 95% of auto movers offer door-to-door service for added convenience.
- The Automobile takes 7 to 10 days to be hauled from California to Florida.
- Around 80% of car shipments from California to Florida use open carriers.
- Over 200 car transport companies specialize in California to Florida routes.
General Facts
- Moving a Vehicle from California to Florida can be done using auto transport services.
- The distance between California and Florida is approximately 2,700 miles.
- Several factors affect the cost of hauling a car, including the type of vehicle, the distance, and the chosen method.
- There are different options for car conveyance, such as open (on an open trailer) or enclosed transport (in a covered trailer).
- Researching and comparing quotes from different Vehicle transport companies is advisable to find the best option for your needs.

Here’s how we can help you
We want to give you the best price possible and help you get your vehicle to Florida in good condition and on time. That’s why we got into this industry in the first place.
A-1 Auto Transport has been in the business for decades, and we’ve delivered thousands of vehicles. We have experienced and qualified drivers, standard car-hauling equipment, and car shipment tracking technology to monitor the progress of your shipments.
If you want to ship a Vehicle from California to Florida, we say no problem. Call us at the phone number at the top of this page, and our customer service will be glad to assist you and provide additional details.
How can you transport a car from Florida to California?
Shipping a car from Florida to California is simple with the exemplary transport service. The journey covers about 2,500 miles, and you have a few reliable options:
- Auto Transport Company – The easiest and safest choice. Companies like A1 Auto Transport offer open and enclosed transport based on your car’s needs.
- Drive It Yourself – A long road trip from Florida to California, but it adds miles and wear to your car.
- Hire a Driver – A personal driver can take your car across the country, though it's costly.
- Train or Freight Shipping – Less common but an option for transporting a car between Florida and California.
Shipping a car takes 7-10 days, costing between $1,000 and $1,800, depending on the transport type and pickup/delivery locations.
For a stress-free experience, trusted services like A1 Auto Transport provide door-to-door delivery and real-time tracking, ensuring your car reaches California safely.

Frequently Asked Questions
How much does auto transport from California to Florida cost?
Shipping a standard sedan from California to Florida typically ranges $1,100–$1,600 on an open carrier. Rates shift with vehicle size, season, pickup location, and carrier availability along major corridors like Los Angeles to Miami or Tampa. Enclosed service adds 30–40 percent. Coastal metropolitan pickups are usually cheaper than rural areas because carriers load faster on high-volume lanes. For a deeper pricing breakdown, see our car shipping cost guide.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Florida?
Most carriers complete the California to Florida route in 6–9 days. Transit time varies with the exact start and end points, seasonal weather across the Southwest, traffic on interstates, and whether the carrier is running a direct or multi-stop load. Summer demand and hurricane season in the Southeast can add 1–2 days. Door-to-door pickups in dense California cities also move faster because carriers fill trucks more easily.
Is open or enclosed transport better for shipping from California to Florida?
Open transport is the most common and cost-efficient option for this long route, safely moving most vehicles at 20–40 percent lower pricing. Enclosed carriers are recommended for luxury, performance, or collector models needing protection from weather during the 2,500-plus-mile trip. Enclosed trucks commonly run smaller fleets, so scheduling flexibility may be tighter. Learn more at our enclosed auto transport guide.
Can I ship personal items inside my vehicle from California to Florida?
Most carriers allow 50–100 pounds of personal belongings in the trunk or below-window line. Items must be secured, non-fragile, and non-restricted. Carriers are not liable for items left inside the vehicle, and excess weight can increase the quote because of federal carrier weight limits. Avoid packing electronics, valuables, or anything that could shift during cross-country transport.
Is my vehicle insured during transport from California to Florida?
Auto carriers must hold active FMCSA-regulated liability and cargo coverage for every vehicle they haul. Coverage typically protects against carrier-caused damage during loading, transit, or unloading. Owners should document the vehicle’s condition at pickup and keep their personal auto policy active in case of unrelated incidents outside carrier custody. Additional guidance is available in our auto transport insurance requirements guide.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Florida?
The most affordable method is open transport, booked 2–3 weeks ahead so carriers can assign the shipment during regular route cycles. Flexible pickup windows, major metro locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego, or Sacramento, and avoiding peak snowbird months typically lower pricing. Terminal options exist on select lanes but are less available on coastal cross-country routes.
Can I track my vehicle during transport?
Most national carriers provide GPS-based updates or scheduled status calls. Some offer dedicated portals that show location pings when the truck enters cell-service zones across the Southwest and Gulf routes. Tracking tools are available in our car shipping tracker.



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