Car Shipping from Michigan to Florida
Michigan to Florida is a major snowbird route, about 1,150 miles from Detroit to Orlando, and people search for it as "MI to FL." Here's what shipping typically costs by city pair, how long it takes, and how it compares to driving or flying.
What It Typically Costs
Across the market, the average cost to ship a car from Michigan to Florida typically ranges from $550 to $1,500, with a general overall average of around $836 to $1,200 for standard open transport. Open transport, which accounts for most shipments, costs about $550 to $1,500 depending on the cities, and enclosed transport, which gives full protection from weather and debris, usually costs about 40% to 50% more, ranging from $875 to $2,350 or more. Typical ranges for common city pairs:
Larger vehicles like SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks typically add $100 to $200 or more to the price of a standard sedan. How open car transport works How enclosed car transport works
These are typical market ranges, not a quote for your car. What affects the cost of car shipping Get a quote
| Route | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit to Jacksonville | $625 to $1,000 | $950 to $1,500 |
| Grand Rapids to Orlando | $600 to $950 | $900 to $1,425 |
| Warren to Miami | $575 to $925 | $875 to $1,400 |
| Ann Arbor to Tallahassee | $650 to $1,025 | $975 to $1,550 |
How Long It Takes
Shipping usually takes 2 to 5 days once the vehicle is loaded on the truck. See our guide to how car shipping works
When to Ship
Rates climb during the peak snowbird moving seasons, especially southbound from October through December, while spring and summer moves are often cheaper. The best sweet spot is October itself, after the summer and college moving rushes end and before winter snowbird traffic peaks. Early March is also reasonably priced, right before the spring migration ramps up. January and February are the cheapest months overall, and May through September, the peak moving and vacation season, can raise rates by 10% to 40%. See our guide to shipping to Florida
Keeping the Cost Down
A pickup window of 3 to 5 days can drop your price by 10% to 20%, and using terminal-to-terminal shipping instead of your front door saves $50 to $150.
Ship, Drive, or Fly?
Driving from Detroit to Orlando is about 1,150 miles each way, roughly 2,300 miles round trip. At an average gas price of $3.50 a gallon and 25 miles per gallon, fuel costs about $160 each way, and you may want a hotel night at $100 to $150 plus food rather than driving 17 hours straight. A round-trip flight from Detroit to Orlando usually runs $150 to $350 per person, plus baggage fees and a rental car at $40 to $70 or more per day if you need one in Florida.
For two or more people, driving becomes significantly cheaper than flying because you pay for one tank of gas, while for a solo traveler flying often costs about the same or slightly less and saves over 30 hours of round-trip travel time. If you'd rather fly and have the car delivered, shipping handles the car while you travel. Shipping vs. driving explained
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
The market range is $550 to $1,500, with a general average around $836 to $1,200. Enclosed transport runs $875 to $2,350 or more.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
Usually 2 to 5 days once the vehicle is loaded on the truck.
What is the cheapest time to ship from Michigan to Florida?
January and February. October is a good sweet spot before snowbird traffic peaks, and May through September can run 10% to 40% higher.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Detroit to Jacksonville?
Typically $625 to $1,000 open and $950 to $1,500 enclosed.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly to Florida from Michigan?
Driving is usually cheaper for two or more people, and flying is often cheaper and faster for a solo traveler.
Shipping a Car on This Route?
Get a quote with your vehicle and pickup and delivery cities.