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Florida is a mecca for snowbirds, holidaymakers, and people looking for a fresh start, but how do you ship a car to The Sunshine State? Long distance driving is exhausting, expensive and time consuming, so how to safely ship your car to Florida?

Florida Car shipping companies can be your superhero when you need car transport to Florida, if you do your homework and choose the right company. But the internet is full of really bad and unprofessional car hauling companies, so how do you know what is the best way to ship your car to Florida?

ship a car to florida

Looking for the best car deals in the U.S.? Dive into our “Cheapest State to Buy a Car” guide. It’s packed with tips for snagging both new and used cars at the best prices. Find out which states will save you the most money and what to keep in mind for out-of-state purchases. For all the details, swing by the Nationwide Auto Transportation blog.


Choosing The Best Florida Car Transport Services

Here are 7 tips that Nationwide Auto Transportation has put together to help you safely ship your car to Florida… By taking a few minutes to read this, you could save hours, and dollars, when you next need to transport a car to another state

Choosing the best Florida car transport services starts with a need to ship your car to Florida. So why would you want to ship a car to the Alligator State? Here are the top reasons:

At Nationwide Auto Transportation we have car shipping routes that cover most of the USA, including Florida Car Transport. In the next section we look at what is the first step to take when you are looking for car shipping companies in Florida.


No matter what state you’re shipping your vehicle from, we can assist. Let’s look at some reasons why people are moving out of California!


“Unlock the secrets behind car shipping costs with Nationwide’s comprehensive breakdown.”

ship my car to florida

Where to Start Looking For Top Car Shipping Companies?

Where do you even start looking for the best auto shipping companies when you need to ship a car to, or from, Florida? This is when you need to let your fingers do the legwork. Start by typing “car shipping near me”, and then be prepared to dig through the results to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Your car is one of your largest financial investments and keeping it safe will help your vehicle retain it’s value for longer. A great place to start your investigation is at the company REVIEWS. You can also ask friends and family who have used vehicle transport services regarding a specific transporter. Once you have shortened your list to your top ten, you can compare their services and price structures. Clear and definite pricing will give you confidence and peace of mind. Nationwide Auto Transportation offers a Free Cost Calculator for just that reason.

What About License and Insurance When You Ship a Car to Florida?

When you need to ship your car to Florida you should familiarize yourself with the insurance and license requirements. To find the best car transporters in Florida, it is important to be aware that a great barometer of a car shipping company’s legitimacy is the status of their licenses and what, if any, insurance coverage they offer.

Luckily for Florida car shippers there is a shortcut. Private car transport companies who ship cars to Florida, are required to be Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registered and should have their own individual USDOT number and Florida transporter tag. You can use this number to verify their details on the FMCSA database.

Check their:

  • Identification
  • Size
  • Safety record
  • Commodity information.

Companies that do not have, or won’t give you their USDOT number should immediately be scratched from your list of potential auto shippers when you ship a car to Florida.

ship your car to florida

Your insurance company will be able to confirm your car’s insured status, but a reputable car shipping company should have coverage that will cover any expenses if the unfortunate does happen. If they don’t, scratch them off your list!

If the unthinkable happens during transport, Nationwide Auto Transportation offers some valuable information about how to ship a car to Florida, without worrying about enough car insurance.


Looking to navigate the complexities of shipping your car? Check out our comprehensive Vehicle Shipping Guide for expert tips and insights on making the process as smooth as possible.


How Do You Put a Price to Florida Car Shipping?

After checking company reviews and testimonials, you have narrowed your list to your top three auto shippers who can ship cars to Florida. Now it is time for you to get some quotes, but before you open a cost calculator, make sure you have the following information at hand:

  • What size is your car
  • The distance—When you are in Jacksonville and your car needs to be in Houston, you need to know how far is Texas from Florida by car for an accurate quote.
  • How much will the gas be?
  • What is the traffic like at your drop-off zone
  • What is the best route for the driver?
  • In what season do you need Florida car shipping?

It is a basic concept that bigger will cost more, so you know your large Jeep will cost more than your wife’s Mini Cooper, but did you know that shipping cars between larger cities is less expensive than in rural areas? The reason is that car shipping companies use large auto carriers that carry multiple vehicles at a time, and less traffic booked simply means higher car shipping prices for a profitable trip. 

It is often a better and cheaper option to ship your car in winter when car shipping declines. When you decide to go with this option you will find our article on winter car shipping a great help.

REMEMBER: The car train to Florida is another option, if you’re prepared to travel with the car.

How do I Know When To Book And Ship a Car to Florida?

Knowing when to book and when to ship a car to Florida is something many individuals struggle to get right. It may sound like a pertinent plan to make your booking long in advance, and secure a price as soon as possible, but unfortunately it works slightly differently in practice.

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Need to ship your boat or car urgently? Expedited Car Shipping Companies Near Me | Find a Local Provider

With so many variables that influence the price to ship a car to Florida, it may make more economic sense to secure your booking with just enough flexibility to leave room for unscheduled delays.

Welcome to the exciting world of car dealerships and efficient inventory management!

Should I Know Florida Car Shipping and Pickup Times? 

It will give you more peace of mind when you know your car shipping, as well as pickup times, when you have to ship a car to Florida.

The drive from Pittsburgh PA to Orlando FL, may be just over a 14-hour drive by car, but that has literally no relevance when it comes to car transportation services when you ship a car to Florida. With the daily average of around 500 miles a day travel for the average multi-vehicle car transporter, it should take two days to cover the 970 miles between the two cities.

The table below shows the average car shipping times per distance:

  • 100 to 500 miles will take between 1 and 2 days
  • 500 to 1000 miles around 2 to 3 days
  • 1500 to 2000 miles about 4 to 5 days

These times are based around car shipping between larger cities, adding extra time when shipping to the edge of the map. It is prudent to make sure that the pickup times from the car delivery services correspond with your schedule. You do not want to be liable for any late pick up fees.

As we get towards the end of this article, let us look at some cities with the worst traffic that car carriers need to contend with, then choose carefully when you are looking at your pickup and drop-off locations.

You also want to choose your pickup locations strategically.

How do I Choose The Best Locations When I Ship a Car to Florida?

Keep your wits about you when you start looking for the best locations as you ship a car to Florida. Your carrier normally calls ahead when a carrier is headed your way and your first task will be to make sure there is enough space available when the large truck gets there to pick up your vehicle.

The same procedure should happen at the drop-off destination. A valuable hint is to bear in mind that larger cities are cheaper as pickup locations and that it is usually more expensive when you need an exact date and time for pickup. Choosing a pickup window is usually much more cost effective.

How do I Prepare My Car When I Ship it to Florida?

The final step when you ship a car to Florida is to make sure it is prepared properly, and to check that it is ready for its journey.

  • Clean out loose and valuable items
  • Document any existing dents and scratches
  • Leave about a quarter tank of gas
  • Make notes of any little quirks so your driver knows how to move your car

When you and the carrier driver have both done an inspection, and agreed on any documented reports, both parties can sign the contract (make sure to get your copy).

Nationwide Auto Transportation Will Safe Ship Your Car to Florida

Before you consider how to ship your car to Florida, here is a handy article that will help you understand how a shipping contract works, and for total clarity you can call a Nationwide Auto Transport consultant whenever you need more information.

Florida is a mecca for snowbirds, holidaymakers, and people looking for a fresh start, but how do you ship a car to The Sunshine State? Long distance driving is exhausting, expensive and time consuming, so how else can you safely ship your car to Florida?

Florida Car shipping companies can be your superhero when you need car transport to Florida, if you do your homework and choose the right company. But the internet is full of really bad and unprofessional car hauling companies, so how do you know what is the best way to ship your car to Florida?

Here are 7 tips that Nationwide Auto Transportation has put together to help you safely ship your car to Florida… By taking a few minutes to read this, you could save hours, and dollars, when you next need to transport a car to another state

Choosing The Best Florida Car Transport Services

Choosing the best Florida car transport services starts with a need to ship your car to Florida. So why would you want to ship a car to the Alligator State? Here are the top reasons:

At Nationwide Auto Transportation we have car shipping routes that cover most of the USA, including Florida Car Transport. In the next section we look at what is the first step to take when you are looking for car shipping companies in Florida.

Where to Start Looking For Top Car Shipping Companies?

Where do you even start looking for the best auto shipping companies when you need to ship a car to, or from, Florida? This is when you need to let your fingers do the legwork. Start by typing “car shipping near me”, and then be prepared to dig through the results to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Your car is one of your largest financial investments and keeping it safe will help your vehicle retain it’s value for longer. A great place to start your investigation is at the company REVIEWS. You can also ask friends and family who have used vehicle transport services regarding a specific transporter. Once you have shortened your list to your top ten, you can compare their services and price structures. Clear and definite pricing will give you confidence and peace of mind. Nationwide Auto Transportation offers a Free Cost Calculator for just that reason.

What About License and Insurance When You Ship a Car to Florida?

When you need to ship your car to Florida you should familiarize yourself with the insurance and license requirements. To find the best car transporters in Florida, it is important to be aware that a great barometer of a car shipping company’s legitimacy is the status of their licenses and what, if any, insurance coverage they offer.

Luckily for Florida car shippers there is a shortcut. Private car transport companies who ship cars to Florida, are required to be Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registered and should have their own individual USDOT number and Florida transporter tag. You can use this number to verify their details on the FMCSA database.

Check their:

  • Identification
  • Size
  • Safety record
  • Commodity information.

Companies that do not have, or won’t give you their USDOT number should immediately be scratched from your list of potential auto shippers when you ship a car to Florida.

Your insurance company will be able to confirm your car’s insured status, but a reputable car shipping company should have coverage that will cover any expenses if the unfortunate does happen. If they don’t, scratch them off your list!

If the unthinkable happens during transport, Nationwide Auto Transportation offers some valuable information about how to ship a car to Florida, without worrying about enough car insurance.

How Do You Put a Price to Florida Car Shipping?

After checking company reviews and testimonials, you have narrowed your list to your top three auto shippers who can ship cars to Florida. Now it is time for you to get some quotes, but before you open a cost calculator, make sure you have the following information at hand:

  • What size is your car
  • The distance—When you are in Jacksonville and your car needs to be in Houston, you need to know how far is Texas from Florida by car for an accurate quote.
  • How much will the gas be?
  • What is the traffic like at your drop-off zone
  • What is the best route for the driver?
  • In what season do you need Florida car shipping?

It is a basic concept that bigger will cost more, so you know your large Jeep will cost more than your wife’s Mini Cooper, but did you know that shipping cars between larger cities is less expensive than in rural areas? The reason is that car shipping companies use large auto carriers that carry multiple vehicles at a time, and less traffic booked simply means higher car shipping prices for a profitable trip. 

It is often a better and cheaper option to ship your car in winter when car shipping declines. When you decide to go with this option you will find our article on winter car shipping a great help.

How do I Know When To Book And Ship a Car to Florida?

Knowing when to book and when to ship a car to Florida is something many individuals struggle to get right. It may sound like a pertinent plan to make your booking long in advance, and secure a price as soon as possible, but unfortunately it works slightly differently in practice.

With so many variables that influence the price to ship a car to Florida, it may make more economic sense to secure your booking with just enough flexibility to leave room for unscheduled delays.

Should I Know Florida Car Shipping And Pickup Times? 

It will give you more peace of mind when you know your car shipping, as well as pickup times, when you have to ship a car to Florida.

The drive from Pittsburgh PA to Orlando FL, may be just over a 14-hour drive by car, but that has literally no relevance when it comes to car transportation services when you ship a car to Florida. With the daily average of around 500 miles a day travel for the average multi-vehicle car transporter, it should take two days to cover the 970 miles between the two cities.

moving to florida

The table below shows the average car shipping times per distance:

  • 100 to 500 miles will take between 1 and 2 days
  • 500 to 1000 miles around 2 to 3 days
  • 1500 to 2000 miles about 4 to 5 days

These times are based around car shipping between larger cities, adding extra time when shipping to the edge of the map. It is prudent to make sure that the pickup times from the car delivery services correspond with your schedule. You do not want to be liable for any late pick up fees.

As we get towards the end of this article, let us look at some cities with the worst traffic that car carriers need to contend with, then choose carefully when you are looking at your pickup and drop-off locations.

You also want to choose your pickup locations strategically.

How do I Choose The Best Locations When I Ship a Car to Florida?

Keep your wits about you when you start looking for the best locations as you ship a car to Florida. Your carrier normally calls ahead when a carrier is headed your way and your first task will be to make sure there is enough space available when the large truck gets there to pick up your vehicle.

The same procedure should happen at the drop-off destination. A valuable hint is to bear in mind that larger cities are cheaper as pickup locations and that it is usually more expensive when you need an exact date and time for pickup. Choosing a pickup window is usually much more cost effective.

How do I Prepare My Car When I Ship it to Florida?

The final step when you ship a car to Florida is to make sure it is prepared properly, and to check that it is ready for its journey.

  • Clean out loose and valuable items
  • Document any existing dents and scratches
  • Leave about a quarter tank of gas
  • Make notes of any little quirks so your driver knows how to move your car

When you and the carrier driver have both done an inspection, and agreed on any documented reports, both parties can sign the contract (make sure to get your copy).

Nationwide Auto Transportation Will Safe Ship Your Car to Florida

Before you consider how to ship your car to Florida, here is a handy article that will help you understand how a shipping contract works, and for total clarity you can call a Nationwide Auto Transport consultant whenever you need more information.

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