On an open carrier, shipping a running car to Florida runs from $750 to $1,800 on my sheet, depending on where it starts. Here is the price for every route I publish, and what makes one trip cost less than another.
Shipping a running car to Florida costs $750 to $1,800 on an open carrier with me, door to door, carrier cargo insurance and my fee included. The low end is Texas ($750–$1,100); the high end is California, the longest trip at about 2,650 miles ($1,600–$1,800). Nothing is paid when you book.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Florida from my state?
These are the planning bands from my rate sheet for every Florida route I publish, for a standard running sedan or SUV. Each band is priced on one reference trip, so your own ZIP codes can land a little higher or lower.
| Route | Miles | On the truck | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas to Florida | 1,150 | 2–3 days | $750–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,500 |
| Michigan to Florida | 1,300 | 3–4 days | $850–$1,000 | $1,650–$1,900 |
| Illinois to Florida | 1,200 | 3–4 days | $950–$1,150 | $1,200–$1,650 |
| Cleveland to Fort Myers | 1,250 | 3–4 days | $950–$1,200 | $1,350–$1,600 |
| Cincinnati to Naples | 1,100 | 2–3 days | $950–$1,300 | $1,500–$1,750 |
| Colorado to Florida | 1,900 | 4–5 days | $950–$1,350 | $1,350–$1,500 |
| Indiana to Florida | 1,100 | 2–3 days | $1,000–$1,150 | $1,300–$1,650 |
| Ohio to Florida | 1,050 | 2–3 days | $1,000–$1,200 | $1,250–$1,400 |
| Pennsylvania to Florida | 1,100 | 2–3 days | $1,000–$1,250 | $1,500–$1,700 |
| New York to Florida | 1,280 | 3–4 days | $1,100–$1,300 | $1,650–$1,900 |
| New Jersey to Florida | 1,150 | 2–3 days | $1,100–$1,350 | $1,600–$1,850 |
| Connecticut to Miami | 1,390 | 3–4 days | $1,100–$1,350 | $1,800–$2,100 |
| Detroit to Naples | 1,400 | 3–4 days | $1,100–$1,350 | $1,750–$1,950 |
| Massachusetts to Florida | 1,450 | 3–4 days | $1,100–$1,400 | $2,000–$2,200 |
| Boston to Miami | 1,500 | 3–4 days | $1,150–$1,450 | $1,750–$2,100 |
| California to Florida | 2,650 | 6–7 days | $1,600–$1,800 | $2,300–$2,550 |
What have my customers actually paid to ship a car to Florida?
| Route | Vehicle | Final price | Booked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark, NJ → Fort Lauderdale | 2018 Audi Q5 | $1,250 ($200 deposit, $1,050 to the driver after delivery) | Late September 2026 |
| Cincinnati, OH → Miami | Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, open trailer | $1,200 | Late September 2026 |
Both landed inside the published band for their route. They show what real trips cost; they do not fix the price of yours, which still depends on the two ZIP codes, the vehicle and the week.
Why is a longer trip not always more expensive?
Distance sets the floor, but how many trucks are heading the same way sets the price. Texas to Florida is about 1,150 miles yet starts at $750, while some shorter Northeast trips start higher. Carriers price each direction on how full their trucks run that way, and from October to December the Northeast lanes carry the winter residents heading south. The table is sorted by price, not by miles, for that reason.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Florida?
- Choose an open carrier. On every route in the table, open is the lower band; enclosed is for classics, low cars and fresh paint.
- Give a pickup window of a few days instead of one fixed day. It lets me put your car on a truck already coming through.
- Book ahead of the October to December rush, or ship in the weeks either side of it. That is when southbound room on the trucks is tightest.
- Have the car running. A car that cannot start, steer and brake needs a winch truck, and fewer carriers have one.
Be careful with a quote far under these bands. A price no carrier will take sits on the board until you are asked for more, which is the most common way a Florida move goes wrong. The bad broker guide explains how to spot it.
How long does it take to ship a car to Florida?
From the Midwest and the Northeast, two to four days on the truck; from Colorado four to five days; from California six to seven days, as the table shows. Add a few business days before that for a carrier to accept the load and set a pickup date.
Is there a guide for my route?
Yes for most of them: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado and California. Winter residents shipping both ways should read the snowbird car shipping guide.
Heading south this winter? Send me your Florida ZIP or call (567) 666-4241.
Written by Brian Smith, Auto Transport Manager at Leader Auto Ship LLC — FMCSA licensed property broker, MC #1638331, DOT #4232283. Brian has more than four years of experience and has personally handled about 800 shipments. Verify the licence yourself.
