Car Shipping from New York to Florida
New York to Florida is the classic snowbird route: roughly 1,300 miles down the I-95 corridor, with demand that swings sharply by season. Here's what it typically costs, how long it takes, and how the Amtrak Auto Train compares.
What It Typically Costs
Across the market, shipping a car from New York to Florida averages around $884, with typical prices ranging from $550 to $1,400 depending on your city pair, vehicle type, and time of year.
Open transport
Roughly $550 to $1,400, the most common and economical option.
How open car transport worksEnclosed transport
Roughly $800 to $2,100, a premium of about 40 to 60% for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles.
How enclosed car transport worksLarger vehicles
A small or mid-size SUV generally adds $75 to $150, and full-size trucks or large vans can add $150 to $400.
Pickup location
Major hubs right off the I-95 corridor, such as Miami or Jacksonville, tend to be cheaper. In places where large trucks face restricted access, such as parts of Manhattan, you may need to meet the carrier at a nearby parking lot or pay extra for localized transport.
These are typical market ranges, not a quote for your car. What affects the cost of car shipping Get a quote
How Long It Takes
Transit along I-95 generally takes 3 to 5 days, with a pickup window of 1 to 3 days on top.
See our guide to how car shipping worksWhen to Ship
The seasonal swing on this lane is steep. Prices climb sharply from October through December, when winter residents move south, and can run up to about 35% higher. In summer, June through August, prices drop significantly, sometimes to as little as $400 to $500 for a sedan. Two habits help in any season: book 6 to 8 weeks ahead to avoid last-minute availability surcharges, and give the carrier a flexible pickup window of about 5 days.
The Amtrak Auto Train Alternative
If you don't mind a drive, you can take your car to Lorton, Virginia, about 4.5 hours from New York City, and ride the Amtrak Auto Train to Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. A standard car typically costs $225 to $285 one-way, rising to as much as $570 in peak season, plus your own passenger ticket. A solo traveler in coach with a standard car typically pays roughly $320 to $690 one-way, and two travelers sharing a private roomette typically pay roughly $700 to $1,800 or more. Amtrak occasionally runs promotions that drop coach tickets to as low as $34 to $39.
That can undercut shipping if you're traveling with the car anyway and your destination is near Orlando. It doesn't help if you want the car delivered without making the drive to Virginia yourself, or if you're not traveling south at the same time.
Is It Cheaper to Ship or Drive?
At roughly 1,300 miles, this route sits right around the break-even point, where the real cost of driving, including fuel, hotels, meals, and wear on the car, starts to match the cost of shipping. It tips toward shipping if you're moving two cars or want to avoid several days on the road. Shipping vs. driving explained
More Routes Into Florida
From other states, see our guide to shipping to Florida, which compares typical costs from ten starting states.
Shipping From Florida to New York
The return trip prices differently. Florida to New York averages about $1,152, roughly $270 more than the southbound average, and its busy season is March through May rather than October through December.
Spending the Winter in Florida?
A car kept in Florida for more than 90 days in a year generally has to be registered there, with Florida auto insurance.
See our California to Florida guide for the registration details
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York to Florida?
The market average is around $884, with typical prices from $550 to $1,400. Enclosed transport runs roughly $800 to $2,100.
How long does it take to ship a car from New York to Florida?
Transit generally takes 3 to 5 days, plus a pickup window of 1 to 3 days.
When is it cheapest to ship a car from New York to Florida?
Summer, June through August, is the cheapest, sometimes as low as $400 to $500 for a sedan. October through December is the most expensive, with prices up to about 35% higher.
Is the Auto Train cheaper than shipping my car?
Sometimes. A standard car costs $225 to $285 one-way (up to $570 at peak) plus your passenger ticket, and it can win if you're traveling with the car anyway. You do need to get to Lorton, Virginia first, and it only ends in Sanford, Florida.
How early should I book?
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks ahead, especially for the October to December peak.
Shipping a Car from New York to Florida?
Get a quote with your vehicle and pickup and delivery cities.