Florida to California is the classic coast-to-coast move in reverse — about 2,730 miles from the Sunshine State to the West Coast. The total looks big, but long trips cost less per mile, and the warm southern route stays open all year. Below is what you'll pay, how long it takes, and the one tip that saves the most money.
The quick answer: Shipping a car from Florida to California costs about $1,150–$1,650 open, or $1,900–$2,600 enclosed, in 2026. The drive takes 5 to 8 days. Book a week or two ahead — long routes have fewer trucks, so lead time keeps your price down.
| Vehicle Type | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Coupe | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,900–$2,600 |
| SUV / Pickup | $1,300–$1,850 | $2,100–$2,800 |
| Luxury / Classic | Enclosed advised | $2,200–$3,200 |
Current 2026 market ranges for this corridor — not a quote. Run the calculator for your exact ZIPs, dates, and vehicle.
For a normal car on an open truck, the price is usually $1,150 to $1,650. That's more than a shorter trip, for one simple reason: the truck drives almost the full width of the country.
But there's a hidden deal here. On this route you pay only about 45 to 60 cents per mile. Short trips can cost a dollar or more per mile. So even though the total is higher, each mile is great value. Long trips are efficient for the truck, and that saving gets passed to you.
A larger vehicle like an SUV or pickup adds $150 to $250. Want a covered trailer? Enclosed runs $1,900 to $2,600. For most cars, open is the smart pick. Shipping the other way? See California to Florida.
Distance is already set on this route, so the things that move your price are:
The season matters less here than on northern routes. The snowbird rush still nudges prices, but the swing is smaller than the New York or Michigan lanes.
Trucks take I-10, the highway along the bottom of the country. From Florida, the path runs across the panhandle, through the long stretch of Texas, then El Paso, Tucson, and Phoenix, before reaching California.
The big plus of this road is the weather. It stays warm, so it almost never gets shut down by snow or ice. That makes Florida to California one of the most reliable long routes all year.
Once your car is on the truck, the drive takes 5 to 8 days. That's normal for a coast-to-coast trip. Pickup can take a little longer than on busy routes — maybe 2 to 4 days — because fewer trucks run the full Florida-to-California path. Altogether, plan on a bit over a week.
This is the most important tip for this route. Because it's so long, shipping works best when the company can put your car on a truck that's already going west. Book a week or two ahead and they have time to find that truck. Book last-minute and they may have to pay a driver to make a special trip — and that extra cost lands on you.
Most Florida-to-California cars ride on an open truck and arrive just fine. That's the cheaper, easier choice for everyday cars. Think about an enclosed trailer if you're moving a high-value, collectible, or low car the full width of the country — five to eight days of open road means more on a $120,000 car than a daily driver. See our enclosed transport guide.
This is door-to-door service, so a driver gets the car near your Florida home and drops it near your California address. Two things can change that. First, gated Florida communities — many won't let a big truck inside, so you'll meet nearby. Second, tight city streets in California. Both are normal, quick, and don't cost extra.
Driving Florida to California means roughly 40 hours behind the wheel over four or five days, plus hotels, food, and a lot of fuel — and nearly 2,800 miles of wear on your car. Shipping turns that into a non-event. You fly across in a few hours and your car shows up later. For such a long trip, shipping is often the smarter call.
Heading out of Florida to another state? These routes share the same trucks and seasonal timing:
The ranges above are market averages. Get a live, vehicle-specific number in under a minute — no spam, no obligation.
Calculate My Costor talk to a dispatcher: 1-888-706-8784
Expect $1,150–$1,650 open and $1,900–$2,600 enclosed in 2026 for a normal car across about 2,730 miles. The total is high because the trip is long, but the cost per mile (around $0.45–$0.60) is one of the lowest of any route.
Usually 5 to 8 days on the road. It's a coast-to-coast trip along the southern I-10 route, so it takes longer than northbound runs. Pickup may take 2 to 4 days, since fewer trucks run this exact path.
Long routes have fewer trucks than short ones. Booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead lets the company put your car on a truck already heading west, which is cheaper than paying extra for a rushed pickup.
Tell us where you're shipping — we'll handle the rest. No obligation, no hidden fees.