Ship a Car from California to Florida
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Shipping a car from California to Florida typically costs $1,675–$2,650 on an open carrier and takes 7–10 days door-to-door. Most customers choose Priority tier for the right balance of price and pickup speed. Pickup typically happens within 1–3 business days of booking.
How shipping from California to Florida works
California to Florida is one of the highest-volume corridors in the country, which is good news for shippers — carrier supply is deep year-round. Most carriers route along I-10 through Phoenix, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, and into Florida, or take the slightly longer northern path on I-40 → I-30 → I-20. Snowbird season (October through December) and the post-holiday return (April through May) are the busiest windows southbound and northbound respectively. Pickup typically happens within 1–3 business days of booking on Priority and Expedited tiers; Standard can stretch to 5–7 days during peak snowbird weeks because Florida-bound capacity gets booked early. Door-to-door is the default — carriers pick up at your residence or workplace and deliver straight to your Florida address, with two exceptions: gated communities and ultra-narrow streets sometimes require meeting the carrier at a nearby parking lot. We confirm the exact pickup spot 24 hours before the truck arrives.
Pricing breakdown by tier
Estimated ranges for a standard sedan or crossover on the California to Florida corridor. The quoting tool returns your exact, all-in price.
| Tier | Pickup window | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 7–21 days | $1,541–$2,438 | $2,898–$4,703 |
| Priority ★ | 3–7 days | $1,675–$2,650 | $3,050–$4,950 |
| Expedited | 1–3 days | $2,094–$3,313 | $3,599–$5,841 |
Trucks, SUVs, and larger vehicles run $100–$250 above sedan rates. See full pricing & tier details.
Open vs. enclosed for this route
Open transport is the default choice on this corridor and ships 90%+ of vehicles. Enclosed makes sense if you're moving an exotic, classic, freshly-painted restoration, or a vehicle with under 6 inches of ground clearance. The I-10 sand and salt-air stretch through the Gulf Coast doesn't damage cars on open trailers — those carriers run thousands of miles weekly through the same conditions.
Tips for shipping from California
Most California pickups happen in the LA basin, Bay Area, or San Diego — all high-density markets with strong carrier supply. Pull personal items out of the cabin (carriers can transport with up to ~100 lbs in the trunk, but it's not insured), leave a quarter tank of fuel, disable the alarm, and have a spare key ready. Beach-town pickups (Laguna, Santa Monica) sometimes need a meeting spot a few blocks inland for trailer access.
When to ship
October–December (snowbird southbound) and April–May (return northbound) push prices up 15–25%. Booking 10–14 days ahead during these windows locks better rates. Summer is moderate; January–February is the cheapest window if your timing is flexible.
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California to Florida FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Florida?
Open transport from California to Florida typically runs $1,675–$2,650 for a standard sedan or crossover. Enclosed transport runs $3,050–$4,950. Final price depends on exact ZIP codes, vehicle size, season, and tier. The quoting tool returns a live, all-in number in under 60 seconds.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Florida?
Pickup typically happens 1–3 business days after booking on Priority or Expedited tiers, and 3–7 days on Standard. Transit from California to Florida is 7–10 days door-to-door, covering roughly 2,700 miles.
Is open or enclosed transport better for California to Florida?
Open transport ships 90%+ of vehicles on this corridor and is the default choice. Enclosed transport is worth the 40–60% premium for exotics, classics, freshly-painted restorations, or vehicles with under 6 inches of ground clearance.
What is the best time of year to ship from California to Florida?
October–December (snowbird southbound) and April–May (return northbound) push prices up 15–25%. Booking 10–14 days ahead during these windows locks better rates. Summer is moderate; January–February is the cheapest window if your timing is flexible.
Can I ship a non-running vehicle from California to Florida?
Yes. Inoperable vehicles can be shipped on this corridor — they require a carrier with a winch, which adds roughly $150–$300 to the standard rate. Make sure the steering works (so the vehicle can be loaded on the trailer) and the brakes are functional or the tires roll freely. Mention "inoperable" at quote time so we match the right equipment.
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