Florida moves more cars than almost any other state. Retirees heading south for winter, families relocating for work, snowbirds bouncing between two homes—the demand never really stops.
If you're shipping a car to or from Florida, here's what you need to know.
Why Florida Routes Are Different
Florida is a peninsula. That geography creates a one-way problem for carriers. During fall, everyone wants cars shipped to Florida. Come spring, they all want cars shipped out. This imbalance affects pricing in ways that can work for or against you.
Shipping a car to Florida in October or November? High demand means higher prices and longer wait times. But ship car from Florida during that same window and you might snag a deal—carriers need vehicles to fill their northbound trailers.
The reverse happens in spring. Suddenly everyone's heading back to New York, Ohio, Michigan, and the Northeast. Rates for northbound shipments climb while southbound opens up.
Smart timing can save you a few hundred dollars.
Popular Florida Routes and What They Cost
New York to Florida One of the busiest corridors in car shipping. About 1,200 miles depending on exact locations. Expect $800-$1,100 for a standard vehicle. Ship car from New York to Florida in September or October and you'll pay peak rates. Wait until January and prices often drop.
California to Florida The long haul—roughly 2,500 miles coast to coast. Budget $1,200-$1,600 for open transport. Ship car from California to Florida in December and you're competing with holiday demand, so book early.
Midwest to Florida Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland—these routes run constantly. Distances range from 1,000 to 1,400 miles with pricing typically between $850 and $1,150. Carriers love these routes because they're efficient and predictable.
Within Florida Moving from Miami to Jacksonville? Tampa to Orlando? In-state moves are trickier than you'd expect. Short distances don't attract carriers the way longer hauls do. Sometimes driving it yourself makes more sense for moves under 300 miles.
The Seasonal Calendar
Here's how Florida car shipping demand flows through the year:
September-November: Peak southbound season. Prices highest for deliveries to Florida. Northbound rates drop.
December: Holiday chaos. Everything backs up. Book by early November if you need a car delivered before Christmas.
January-February: Southbound demand stays strong but starts easing. Good window for reasonable rates.
March-May: The great migration north begins. Shipping from Florida gets expensive. Southbound becomes the bargain.
June-August: Summer slowdown. Rates stabilize. Actually a decent time to ship in either direction if your schedule allows.
Arizona: Florida's Western Twin
Arizona car shipping follows similar patterns. Scottsdale and Phoenix fill up with seasonal residents escaping Midwest and Northeast winters. The dynamics mirror Florida—high demand heading west in fall, reversing in spring.
One difference: Arizona routes have less carrier coverage than Florida. Fewer trucks run those corridors, which can mean slightly higher prices and longer pickup windows. Plan further ahead for Arizona shipments.
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal
Most Florida car transport companies offer door-to-door service. They'll pick up from your driveway in Connecticut and deliver to your condo in Naples.
But Florida's retirement communities and gated neighborhoods can complicate things. Large car haulers can't navigate every street. If your Florida address has tight turns, low-hanging trees, or HOA restrictions on commercial vehicles, you might need to meet the driver at a nearby parking lot.
This isn't a dealbreaker—just something to discuss when booking. Good carriers work with you on accessible meeting points.
Finding Florida Car Transport Companies
National auto transport companies handle Florida routes all day long. But some regional specialists focus specifically on Florida corridors and know the seasonal patterns intimately.
When comparing quotes:
- Confirm the price includes fuel and any surcharges
- Ask about their carrier network on your specific route
- Check reviews mentioning Florida deliveries specifically
- Clarify pickup and delivery windows—Florida demand can cause delays during peak season
Quick Tips for Florida Shipments
Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season. Last-minute requests in October will cost you.
Consider your timing flexibility. A 3-5 day pickup window often gets better rates than demanding a specific date.
If you're a repeat seasonal shipper, some companies offer returning customer discounts. Worth asking about.
Florida's humidity and salt air are tough on cars. Enclosed transport might make sense for longer storage periods between uses—but that's a separate decision from the shipping method.
