Car Shipping from California to Florida
California to Florida is one of the longest and most traveled car shipping routes in the country, a coast-to-coast run of roughly 2,400 to 3,000 miles depending on your cities. Here's what it typically costs, how long it takes, and when to book.
What It Typically Costs
Across the market, shipping a car from California to Florida averages around $1,277, with standard shipments generally ranging from $850 to $1,800. The exact price depends on your city pair, vehicle type, and transport method.
Open transport
Roughly $850 to $1,600. This is the standard, most economical option.
Open car transport explainedEnclosed transport
Roughly $1,250 to $2,700, a premium of about 40 to 60% that makes sense for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles.
Enclosed car transport explainedLarger vehicles
An SUV, crossover, or pickup typically adds $100 to $200 over a sedan.
Non-running vehicles
Typically add $100 to $150 for a winch or specialized loading equipment.
Non-running and salvage vehicle shippingThese are typical market ranges, not a quote for your car. Car shipping cost guide Your quote is based on your vehicle, your exact pickup and delivery locations, and your timing. Get a quote
How Long It Takes
Coast-to-coast routes like this one generally take 7 to 12 days of active transit once the car is picked up, plus a pickup window of a few days.
Car shipping guide: how it worksWhen to Ship
This lane is shaped by the snowbird effect, the seasonal move of winter residents to Florida. Fall and early winter, October through January, bring heavy demand for shipping into Florida and can push prices up by roughly 20%. Late spring and summer are usually the cheapest times to ship eastbound. Giving the carrier a flexible pickup window of a few days also helps keep the price down.
Registering Your Car in Florida
See our guide to shipping to Florida for costs from other states
If the car will be kept in Florida for more than 90 days in a year, consecutive or not, it generally has to be registered there. That means Florida auto insurance meeting the minimum coverage requirements, currently $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. A first-time registration of an out-of-state vehicle generally can't be completed online. It requires an in-person visit to a county tax collector's office with your out-of-state title, proof of Florida insurance, and a valid photo ID, so it's worth planning for before the car arrives.
Is It Cheaper to Ship or Drive?
The drive between Florida and Los Angeles is about 2,545 miles. For a car averaging 25 miles per gallon, that's roughly 100 to 110 gallons of fuel, about $483 to $535 one-way, though fuel runs about $3.86 a gallon in Florida and $5.64 to $6.29 once you cross into California. Add four to five nights of lodging, roughly $250 to $400 at budget motels or $680 to $855 at mid-range hotels, plus meals. Past roughly 1,000 to 1,500 miles, the real cost of driving starts to match or exceed the cost of shipping, and this route is well beyond that point. A 2,500-mile road trip can total $2,525 to $2,775 once you add fuel, three to four nights of hotels, meals, tolls, wear and tear, and lost income from days off work, while shipping the car and flying typically runs $1,725 to $2,325. If you're moving two vehicles, shipping one while you drive the other, or shipping both, usually beats doubling every driving expense. Is it cheaper to ship or drive?
Shipping From Florida to California
Rates aren't always the same in both directions, because carriers price around where trucks are heading and where freight is plentiful. The reverse route is quoted on its own, so request a quote for the direction you're actually moving.
Starting in the Northeast instead? See New York to Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Florida?
The market average is around $1,277, with standard shipments generally ranging from $850 to $1,800. Open transport runs roughly $850 to $1,600 and enclosed roughly $1,250 to $2,700.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Florida?
Generally 7 to 12 days of active transit once the car is picked up, plus a pickup window of a few days.
What's the cheapest time of year to ship a car to Florida?
Late spring and summer are usually the cheapest times to ship eastbound. Prices rise by roughly 20% in fall and early winter, when snowbird demand peaks.
Do I have to register my car in Florida?
Generally yes if the car is kept in Florida for more than 90 days in a year. You'll need Florida insurance and an in-person visit to a county tax collector's office for a first-time out-of-state registration.
Is open or enclosed transport better for this route?
Open transport is the standard and most economical choice. Enclosed adds roughly 40 to 60% and makes sense for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles. Compare the two
Shipping a Car from California to Florida?
Get a quote with your vehicle and pickup and delivery cities.