Florida is the most-shipped-to state in the country, and all that traffic keeps prices reasonable — if you understand what moves the number. Here's the real 2026 cost picture, in plain language, broken down by distance, car type, and season, with simple tips to pay less.
The short answer: Shipping a car to Florida costs about $700 to $1,700 on an open truck in 2026, with most moves near $1,000 to $1,300. A covered enclosed trailer costs 40% to 60% more. Distance and the season are the two biggest factors.
Distance is the biggest thing that sets your price. But here's something most people don't expect: the price doesn't rise in a straight line. Longer trips actually cost less per mile, because the truck's fixed costs get spread over more miles. So a trip that's twice as far isn't twice the price.
Here's how that plays out for a normal sedan on an open truck in 2026:
| Where it starts | About how far | Open transport | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast (GA, AL, SC) | 200–500 miles | $550–$850 | 1–2 days |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, PA) | ~1,100–1,300 miles | $850–$1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Midwest (IL, MI, OH) | ~1,200–1,500 miles | $900–$1,350 | 4–6 days |
| West Coast (CA, WA) | ~2,700–3,000 miles | $1,150–$1,650 | 5–8 days |
These are 2026 market ranges for open transport. For your exact pickup, drop-off, and car, the calculator uses live fuel prices and real road distance.
Once you know what goes into a quote, the number stops feeling random. Here are the five levers, from biggest to smallest.
We covered this above. It's the foundation of every quote. A 400-mile trip from Atlanta and a 2,800-mile trip from Los Angeles are simply different jobs for the truck. Remember the per-mile rule, though — long trips are more efficient, so you get more value per mile even though the total is higher.
A truck can only carry so much weight and length. A small sedan is the baseline. A large SUV or pickup takes up more room and weighs more, so it adds about $150 to $250. Oversized or lifted trucks cost more still. If your car is heavily modified, mention it when you book so the quote is accurate.
This one is special to Florida. Snowbird demand from October through December can add $200 to $400 to a northern route, compared to the same trip in summer. If your dates can move, the season is your single biggest money lever. We dig into it in our best time to ship to Florida guide.
An open truck carries 97 out of 100 cars and is the value choice. An enclosed trailer, with walls and a roof, costs 40% to 60% more but protects against road dirt, salt air, and sun. It's worth it for classics, exotics, and luxury cars. See the full comparison in open vs enclosed.
Busy routes into Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami price better because trucks run them all the time. A drop-off 50 miles off the main highway can add a day and a little cost, since the driver has to go out of the way to reach you.
A standard quote covers door-to-door service and basic insurance while your car is on the truck. "Door-to-door" means the driver comes as close to your home as a big truck safely can, at both ends. It does not always mean your exact driveway — in tight streets or gated areas, you'll meet nearby. That's normal and doesn't add cost.
Basic carrier insurance is included by law, but the amount varies. For a normal car it's usually plenty. For a high-value car, ask for the coverage amount in writing and make sure it matches what your car is worth. Always check the car's condition with the driver at pickup and delivery, and keep your copy of the inspection form.
Here's the simple way to decide. If you'd describe your car as "a car," ship it open and keep the savings. If you'd describe it by its year, make, and trim with a little pride, look hard at enclosed.
Open transport is safe for everyday cars. Your car rides outside, the same way it sits in your driveway. Enclosed makes sense when a single stone chip would be a costly repair — a collector car, a sports car, or anything worth a lot. Florida's strong sun and salty coastal air make enclosed a bit more popular here than in other states, especially for cars that will live near the coast.
You have more control over the price than you might think. These moves add up:
This is the most common trap in car shipping, so it's worth a moment. Some brokers post a very low price to win your booking. Then no driver will take the car at that price, so it sits. Days later, you're told you need to pay more to get it moving. By then you're stuck.
The fix is simple: be suspicious of any quote that's far below the others, and check the company before you pay. Our FMCSA carrier lookup lets you confirm a carrier's license and safety record for free, and our scam-watch guide covers the other warning signs.
For a short trip from a neighboring state, driving may cost a little less than shipping. But for a long haul, the math often flips. Driving 1,200 miles or more means several days on the road, plus gas, hotels, food, and a lot of wear on your car. When you add all of that up — and the value of your own time — shipping is frequently the smarter deal.
For a clear comparison built around your route, the calculator gives you a real shipping number in under a minute, so you can weigh it against the cost of driving yourself.
Ranges are useful, but examples make it click. Here are three typical 2026 moves to show how the pieces come together:
Notice the pattern: the same car can cost very different amounts depending on distance, season, and trailer type. That's why a live quote beats any single average.
Averages are a starting point, not a quote. Your actual price depends on your exact pickup and drop-off, your car, and your dates. The good news is you can see a real range in under a minute, with no phone number needed to get started. From there, a quick call can lock it in.
Skip the averages. Our calculator pulls live diesel prices and real Google Maps distance for an actual price range on your exact route and vehicle — no spam, no obligation.
Calculate My Costor talk to a dispatcher: 1-888-706-8784
The average open-transport move to Florida runs $700 to $1,700. Most normal cars on a mid-length route land near $1,000 to $1,300. Short trips from nearby states are cheaper, and coast-to-coast or enclosed moves cost more.
Four things move your rate: distance (the biggest one), your car's size and weight, the season (snowbird demand), and how busy the route is. Open vs enclosed is the fifth — enclosed adds 40% to 60%.
Ship in late spring or summer, choose an open truck, stay flexible on pickup dates, and deliver to a big hub city instead of a remote town. Booking a week or two ahead also avoids last-minute fees.
For long trips, shipping is often the better deal once you count gas, hotels, food, your time, and the wear on your car. For a short hop from a neighboring state, driving may cost less — but shipping still saves you the trip.
Many companies take a small deposit at booking, with the rest due at pickup or delivery. Be careful with any company that wants a large payment upfront before a truck is even assigned — that's a common warning sign. You can verify any carrier with our FMCSA lookup.
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