Quick Answer: A Florida car shipping calculator prices an auto transport move from your exact pickup and delivery ZIP codes, using live carrier bids instead of a static table. Florida lanes typically run 1-3 days intrastate, 3-6 days to the Northeast, 5-7 days to Chicago, and 7-10 days to California.
- Price is driven by distance, vehicle size and weight, open vs enclosed, running vs inoperable, lane density and the month you book — not by a flat per-mile table.
- Snowbird demand flips twice a year: southbound into Florida peaks October-January, northbound out of Florida peaks April-May. Book 2-3 weeks ahead in those windows.
- Hurricane season runs June 1-November 30. Storm evacuations pull carriers off Florida lanes for days and freeze pickup windows with little notice.
- International export from PortMiami, Port Everglades, JAXPORT or Port Tampa Bay needs the original title, an AES/ITN filing, and vehicle delivery to the port 72 hours before loading.
Florida is one of the busiest auto transport markets in the United States, and its rates swing harder than almost any other state. The same Miami-to-Boston lane can price very differently in December and in July, which is why a live quote beats any published average.
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Go to the calculator →How much does it cost to ship a car to Florida?
Quick Answer: The cost to ship a car to Florida depends on six things: total miles, vehicle size and weight, open or enclosed trailer, whether the car runs, lane density, and the month you ship. Rates move weekly with carrier supply, so a live quote from your ZIP codes beats any published average.
There is no flat rate for Florida car shipping. Carriers bid on each load, and those bids change week to week. The calculator on this page returns a real number from your own ZIP codes instead of a guess.
Per-mile cost is a curve, not a flat rate
Short runs cost the most per mile. A 250-mile Orlando-to-Miami move still needs a driver, fuel, insurance and a loading slot. A 2,500-mile run to California spreads those fixed costs across far more miles.
Published industry calculators show the same curve. Montway's cost guide and Sherpa's 2026 cost breakdown both put short-haul rates several times higher per mile than cross-country rates.
| Distance band | Published market rate per mile | Typical Florida example |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1.00 – $1.60 | Miami → Atlanta |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $0.80 – $1.10 | Tampa → Washington DC |
| 1,000 – 1,500 miles | $0.60 – $0.90 | Orlando → New York |
| Over 1,500 miles | $0.45 – $0.75 | Jacksonville → Los Angeles |
Ranges above are published third-party market bands from independent auto transport calculators, shown for context only. They are not AB Group Shipping quotes. Your real price comes from the calculator on this page.
What else moves the number
- Vehicle class: a Chevy Suburban or F-250 eats two slots of deck height and payload versus a Honda Civic.
- Operability: a non-running car needs a winch or lift-gate truck, and far fewer carriers own one.
- Lane density: Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville are dense pickup markets with trucks nearby every day.
- Thin markets: Naples, Marco Island, Key West and the Panhandle sit off the main corridors and price higher.
- Operating costs: fuel surcharges, I-95 and Florida Turnpike tolls, and seasonal capacity all ride inside the carrier bid.
Pro Tip
Dense ZIPs win. A pickup in Fort Lauderdale (33301) on the I-95 corridor usually prices better than the same car in Immokalee (34142), even though the destination is identical. If you can meet the truck closer to the interstate, say so when you book.
How does the Florida car shipping calculator work?
Quick Answer: A car shipping calculator estimates price by matching your route, vehicle and trailer type against live carrier capacity on that lane. The calculator on this page takes pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, year, make, model, operability and dates, then compares multiple carriers instantly and returns a real number in seconds.
Behind every quote sits a load board. A broker posts your lane, and carriers running nearby bid on it. The bid depends on how many trucks are empty near your ZIP that week, not on a published tariff.
That is why a florida car shipping calculator built on live bids is more accurate than a mileage chart. The chart cannot see that twelve trucks just unloaded in Orlando on a Tuesday.
Static mileage chart
Multiplies miles by a fixed cents-per-mile figure. Fast to publish, but blind to season, truck supply and vehicle size. It is why so many online "averages" miss by hundreds of dollars during snowbird weeks.
Live-bid calculator
Reads your actual origin and destination ZIPs, your vehicle, your trailer type and your date window. It returns a bookable number that reflects what carriers are accepting on that lane right now.
| Quote source | Accuracy | Price volatility | Deposit terms | Who holds liability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broker (phone quote) | Medium — bait quotes are common | High until dispatched | Deposit often taken upfront | Carrier insures the car; broker arranges |
| Asset carrier (direct) | High on their own routes only | Low | Varies by company | Carrier holds cargo insurance |
| Instant online calculator | High — live multi-carrier comparison | Low to medium | No charge to quote | Assigned carrier insures the vehicle |
If your lane crosses into Ontario or Quebec, the inputs and the border paperwork change. Our Car Shipping Calculator Canada: Rates 2026, 3-7 Days guide covers that side.
What inputs change your Florida quote the most?
- Trailer type: enclosed typically adds 30-60% over open on the same lane.
- Pickup flexibility: a 3-5 day window prices better than one named calendar day.
- ZIP density: a Fort Lauderdale pickup beats a rural Hendry County pickup on the same destination.
- Size and height: lifted trucks, roof racks and dually pickups shrink the carrier pool and raise the bid.
Why does the price change after you book?
A quote buys a dispatch attempt, not a locked tariff. If no truck accepts the lane within 48-72 hours, the bid usually has to rise.
Peak snowbird weeks and the days after a named storm reprice fastest. Always ask one question before you pay: what happens if the lane reprices and is the deposit refundable?
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Compare several carriers on your Florida lane instantly — no signup, no follow-up calls.
Go to the calculator →Florida car shipping transit times and distances by lane
Quick Answer: Transit time from Florida depends on miles and route density. Miami to New York runs about 1,280 miles in 3-5 days. Tampa to Chicago is about 1,160 miles in 4-6 days. Orlando to Los Angeles is about 2,500 miles in 7-10 days. Jacksonville to Dallas runs 3-5 days.
Drivers are capped by federal hours-of-service rules at roughly 400-500 miles per day with multi-stop loading. That ceiling, not traffic, sets most transit times.
Open-transit days by Florida lane
See the data
| Lane | Open transit (days) | Approx. miles |
|---|---|---|
| Miami → Orlando | 1-2 | 235 |
| Miami → Atlanta | 1-3 | 660 |
| Miami → New York | 3-5 | 1,280 |
| Jacksonville → Dallas | 3-5 | 1,070 |
| Tampa → Chicago | 4-6 | 1,160 |
| Naples → Boston | 4-6 | 1,510 |
| Orlando → Los Angeles | 7-10 | 2,500 |
Source: AB Group Shipping lane operations data, FMCSA hours-of-service limits · 2026
| Origin | Destination metro | Miles | Open days | Enclosed days | Booking lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | New York / New Jersey | 1,280 | 3-5 | 4-6 | 7-14 days |
| Fort Lauderdale | Philadelphia | 1,180 | 3-5 | 4-6 | 7-14 days |
| Orlando | Los Angeles | 2,500 | 7-10 | 8-12 | 14-21 days |
| Tampa | Chicago | 1,160 | 4-6 | 5-7 | 7-14 days |
| Jacksonville | Dallas | 1,070 | 3-5 | 4-6 | 7-10 days |
| Naples | Boston | 1,510 | 4-6 | 5-8 | 14-21 days |
| Key West | Detroit | 1,580 | 6-9 | 7-10 | 21+ days |
Three interstates carry nearly all Florida car traffic: I-95 on the east coast, I-75 up the west coast, and I-10 across the Panhandle. Anything more than an hour off those arteries adds a day.
Most Florida delays happen before the car is loaded, not on the road. Dispatch day is not pickup day. Build a 1-3 day pickup window into your plan, and more during snowbird peaks.
What is door-to-door auto transport and how does it work in Florida?
Door-to-door means the truck gets as close to your address as it legally and physically can. In Florida that rarely means your driveway.
A loaded car hauler is 75-80 feet long and 13.5 feet tall. It cannot enter most gated communities, HOA streets, condo garages or the narrow blocks of Miami Beach. The standard fix is a nearby Publix, Home Depot or mall lot a few miles away.
Terminal-to-terminal can cut cost, but it adds storage days and a second handoff. For a daily-driver that is fine. For a collector car it usually is not.
What is the cheapest month to ship a car out of Florida?
Quick Answer: The cheapest months to ship a car out of Florida are usually June through September, outside the snowbird return rush. Northbound demand peaks April-May. Southbound demand into Florida peaks October through January. Shipping against the seasonal flow — northbound in winter, southbound in spring — gets the best capacity.
Florida runs on a snowbird cycle. Hundreds of thousands of seasonal residents move cars south between October and January, then north again in April and May.
That flow creates empty trucks in the opposite direction. A carrier deadheading back north in January will take your northbound car cheaply, because an empty deck earns nothing. Industry cost calculators show the same seasonal spread on Florida lanes.
| Month | Dominant direction | Carrier availability | Recommended lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Southbound into FL | Low | 14-21 days |
| February – March | Balanced | Medium | 7-14 days |
| April – May | Northbound out of FL | Low | 14-21 days |
| June – September | Balanced / soft | High | 5-10 days |
| October – December | Southbound into FL | Low to medium | 14-21 days |
Holiday weeks are their own problem. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, drivers go home and capacity drops. Book those weeks at least three weeks out.
Five ways to lower a Florida quote
Give a 3-5 day pickup window. Choose an open trailer unless the car truly needs enclosure. Offer a terminal or big-box lot near I-95 or I-75. Target Monday to Wednesday dispatch. Avoid the last three days of the month, when brokers chase volume targets and rates firm up.
Collectors timing a winter move out of Florida should price the enclosed option separately. Our Classic Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Instant Quotes guide walks through the specifics.
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See what your lane is pricing this week, not last season.
Go to the calculator →How does hurricane season affect Florida car shipping?
Quick Answer: Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and can halt Florida auto transport for days. Carriers reroute away from landfall zones, ports close, and evacuation traffic blocks I-75 and I-95. After a named storm, capacity tightens sharply as salvage and relocation loads compete for the same trucks.
Port closures hit first. When the Captain of the Port raises condition Zulu, PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port Tampa Bay suspend RoRo and container loading. Bookings roll to the next sailing.
Inland, pickup windows become advisory rather than fixed. Build 3-5 buffer days into any June-to-November booking and keep your phone on.
- Pre-storm surge: owners rushing cars out of South Florida spike demand inside a 72-hour window.
- During the storm: carriers stage trucks north of the cone and stop accepting new Florida loads.
- Post-storm: expect 1-2 weeks of tight capacity as salvage and relocation loads compete for decks.
- Insurance gap: most carrier cargo policies exclude acts of God, including flood and wind damage.
Confirm storm coverage in writing
Carrier cargo insurance generally excludes acts of God. If a named storm damages a car mid-transit, the claim may fall to your own comprehensive policy. Ask the carrier for the certificate of insurance and read the exclusions before you dispatch between June and November.
Do I need enclosed transport to ship a car in Florida?
Quick Answer: No, most Florida shipments move fine on an open trailer, which carries roughly 90% of US auto transport. Enclosed makes sense for classics, exotics, low-clearance cars and vehicles worth over $75,000. It typically costs 30-60% more and protects against Florida sun, salt air and I-95 road debris.
Florida adds three hazards other states do not. Intense UV exposure, coastal salt spray along A1A and US-1, and love bug season in May and September, which bakes acidic residue into clear coat.
| Method | Relative cost | Protection | Typical cargo insurance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open carrier | Baseline | Weather exposed | $100,000-$250,000 per load | Daily drivers, fleet moves, most snowbird cars |
| Enclosed carrier | +30-60% | Full weather and debris cover | $250,000-$1,000,000 per vehicle | Classics, exotics, low clearance, new cars |
| RoRo vessel | Lowest for ocean export | Below deck, no packing | Carrier terms; marine cargo optional | Running cars exported overseas |
| Ocean container | Higher than RoRo | Sealed and lashed | Marine cargo policy, declared value | Non-running cars, high value, multi-car loads |
Soft-side enclosed
A curtain-side trailer. Cheaper, more available, and still blocks sun and road debris. Fine for most late-model and semi-collector cars moving out of Florida.
Hard-side with lift gate
Solid walls and a hydraulic gate instead of ramps. Required for cars under about four inches of ground clearance. Scarcer, so book these two to three weeks ahead.
For collector-grade vehicles, check the condition-report and valuation steps in our Classic Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Instant Quotes guide before you book.
Special vehicles: EVs, golf carts, motorcycles and inoperable cars
- EVs: ship at 40-60% state of charge and confirm curb weight. A Rivian R1T or Hummer EV consumes two slots of payload.
- Golf carts and LSVs: everyday Florida freight around The Villages, Naples and Marco Island. They ship on open trailers or crated.
- Motorcycles: need a front wheel chock, soft straps and a dedicated bay. Never strapped loose on a car deck.
- Inoperable cars: require a winch or lift-gate carrier. Declare it when you book or the truck arrives and leaves without the car.
How do you ship a car internationally from a Florida port?
Quick Answer: International vehicle export from Florida moves through PortMiami, Port Everglades, JAXPORT or Port Tampa Bay by RoRo vessel or inside a container. US Customs and Border Protection requires the original title and export documents at the port 72 hours before loading, plus an AES filing that returns an ITN.
Florida is the main US gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. With thousands of shipments processed across the USA-Latin America corridor, the paperwork rhythm is always the same: title first, AES filing second, booking third.
RoRo or container?
RoRo means roll-on/roll-off. The car is driven onto a vessel deck and lashed down. No container, no packing, and no personal items allowed inside the vehicle.
Container means a sole-use 20 ft box for one vehicle, or a shared 40 ft where two to four cars split the space. The shared option lowers the cost per car approx., and it is the only route for a non-running vehicle.
- Original Certificate of Title, or a certified copy accepted by CBP
- Bill of sale and photo ID of the exporter
- AES filing through ACE, which returns the ITN (Internal Transaction Number)
- Power of attorney for the forwarder or customs broker
- Lien release letter if the vehicle was ever financed
The 72-hour rule is not flexible
Under 19 CFR 192.2, CBP requires the vehicle and its title documents at the export port at least 72 hours before lading. Miss it and the booking rolls to the next sailing, which can mean another 7-14 days plus storage at the terminal.
Incoterms 2020 decide who carries the risk. FOB Miami ends your liability at the ship's rail. DDP makes you responsible for import duty, VAT and clearance at destination — most private car exporters should avoid DDP entirely.
Destination rules vary sharply. DIAN in Colombia, SUNAT in Peru, SAT in Mexico and ANAM in Panama each set their own vehicle age limits and duty percentages. Confirm the age cap before you buy the car, not after it sails.
Common Florida export lanes include Miami-Cartagena, Miami-Caucedo, Port Everglades-Kingston and JAXPORT-Puerto Cortés. For country-specific duty math, see our Car Shipping to Costa Rica Calculator: 2026 Rates, Car Shipping to Honduras Calculator: Instant Quotes (2026) and Car Shipping to Panama Calculator: Instant Quotes 2026 guides.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Miami to Puerto Rico?
San Juan is a domestic US move under the Jones Act. A US-flag, US-crewed vessel must carry it, which sets the pricing floor and limits the carrier list.
Sea transit from PortMiami or Port Everglades runs about 3-5 days, plus 2-4 days of port processing on each end. There is no customs entry, because Puerto Rico is US territory.
There is still tax. Hacienda charges an excise tax (arbitrio) based on vehicle value and age. Price the freight leg from your ZIP in the calculator on this page and budget the arbitrio separately.
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Domestic lanes price instantly. RoRo and oversized export send a custom quote request.
Go to the calculator →Florida title, registration, VIN verification and sales tax after delivery
Quick Answer: Florida requires an out-of-state vehicle to pass a VIN and odometer verification on Form HSMV 82042 before titling. Registration goes through FLHSMV or a county tax collector. Florida charges 6% state sales tax plus county surtax on vehicles purchased out of state, with credit for tax already paid elsewhere.
Form HSMV 82042 can be completed by a Florida notary, a licensed dealer, a law enforcement officer or an FLHSMV compliance examiner. Many title services handle it in under 15 minutes.
- Complete the VIN and odometer verification on HSMV 82042 after delivery.
- Buy Florida insurance meeting PIP and PDL minimums — out-of-state policies do not qualify for plates.
- Bring the out-of-state title, bill of sale and tax receipt to a county tax collector office.
- Pay 6% state sales tax plus county surtax, with credit for sales tax already paid in another state.
- Register within 30 days of establishing Florida residency to avoid penalties.
Keep the paper trail clean
If you bought out of state and shipped in, hold three documents together: the bill of sale, the out-of-state tax receipt and a properly assigned title. A missing seller signature on the title assignment is the single most common reason a Florida titling appointment fails. Fees and exemptions change — confirm current figures with FLHSMV or a licensed title service.
How do I check if a Florida car shipping company is licensed?
Quick Answer: Check the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov using the company's MC or USDOT number. The record must show active authority, current insurance on file, and the correct entity type. Licensed brokers must also carry a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) filed with FMCSA.
A USDOT number identifies the company for safety data. An MC number grants interstate operating authority for hire. A broker advertising interstate transport without an MC number and a BMC-84 bond is a red flag.
- Ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance and confirm the cargo limit covers your vehicle's value.
- The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the contract, the receipt and the condition report in one document.
- Never sign a blank BOL, and never sign the delivery copy before you inspect the car.
- Photograph all four corners, roof, wheels and odometer at pickup and delivery, in daylight.
- Note any damage on the BOL at delivery, photograph it before the truck leaves, then file with the carrier's insurer inside the stated window.
Intrastate household and some specialty movers also register with Florida DACS. Know which authority covers your move before you hand over keys.
Vehicle preparation checklist before pickup
- Fuel: keep the tank at a quarter or less — less weight, less fire risk.
- Wash the car: clean paint makes existing chips and dents visible in inspection photos.
- Remove SunPass and E-ZPass transponders, plus every personal item.
- Disable aftermarket alarms, fold the mirrors, retract or remove the antenna.
- Record tire pressure, any fluid leaks and battery condition in writing on the BOL.
Get your Florida car shipping quote from the calculator on this page
Quick Answer: The calculator on this page prices your Florida car shipment live from your pickup and delivery ZIP codes. It compares several carriers instantly, with no signup, no email gate and no follow-up calls. For RoRo export, oversized vehicles or project loads, the same form sends a custom quote request.
Six inputs is all it takes: pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, vehicle year/make/model, running or not, open or enclosed, and your first available date. The tool returns a real, bookable number in seconds.
AB Group Shipping works PortMiami, Port Everglades, JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay for ocean vehicle export, and moves domestic auto transport from anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Not every vehicle fits a container. RVs, motorhomes, semi-trucks and heavy machinery move on flat rack or RoRo vessels, and a specialist quotes them after your request lands.
Outside Florida, your region routes through its own gateway. Texas and the central states ship via Houston. California and the Southwest use Los Angeles/Long Beach. The Northeast uses New York/New Jersey, the Midwest moves by rail through Chicago, Ontario goes through Toronto and Western Canada through Vancouver. Price and transit time change with the gateway, and the calculator prices your exact origin.
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Enter two ZIP codes and your vehicle. Compare carriers instantly — no email required.
Go to the calculator →The cost depends on total miles, vehicle size and weight, open versus enclosed trailer, whether the car runs, and the month you ship. Snowbird season from October to January raises southbound prices into Florida, while summer is usually the softest window. Use the calculator on this page to get a live price from your exact pickup and delivery ZIP codes.
June through September is usually the cheapest window to ship a car out of Florida, because the northbound snowbird rush ends in May. April and May are the most expensive northbound months, and October through January is the most expensive southbound window. Shipping against the seasonal flow gives you the most carrier choices.
Miami to New York is about 1,280 miles and typically takes 3 to 5 days in transit on an open carrier, plus a 1 to 3 day pickup window. Enclosed transport usually adds a day because enclosed trucks carry fewer cars and make more stops. Winter storms on I-95 north of Washington can add 24 to 48 hours.
Search the company's MC or USDOT number in the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The record must show active operating authority and current insurance on file, and any licensed broker must have a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond. Also ask for a certificate of insurance showing the cargo limit covers your vehicle's value.
Price depends on vehicle size, the sailing you book, and the inland leg to PortMiami or Port Everglades. The route is a domestic US move under the Jones Act, so a US-flag vessel must carry it, and sea transit runs about 3 to 5 days plus port processing. There is no customs entry, but Puerto Rico charges an excise tax based on vehicle value and age — get your live price in the calculator on this page.