California to Florida Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,738 miles from California to Florida ranges from $1,370 to $2,263 and takes seven–fifteen days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida to California car shipping guide.
The best California to Florida car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Florida:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Florida
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,738 miles on your car going from California to Florida. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from California for a move to Florida, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
- Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from California to Florida for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train. If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
CA to FL auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Florida. The average travel distance is about 2,738 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days .
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Florida
| From California to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL | $1,301 – $2,149 | 2,416 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL | $1,470 – $2,352 | 2,733 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Tampa, FL | $1,275 – $2,051 | 2,526 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Orlando, FL | $1,382 – $2,094 | 2,509 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,382 – $2,051 | 2,549 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Florida
| From California to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL | $1,342 – $2,093 | 2,338 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Miami, FL | $1,424 – $2,091 | 2,655 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Tampa, FL | $1,301 – $2,192 | 2,448 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Orlando, FL | $1,381 – $2,128 | 2,431 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,274 – $2,234 | 2,471 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Florida
| From California to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Jacksonville, FL | $1,413 – $2,150 | 2,716 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Miami, FL | $1,515 – $2,489 | 3,033 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Tampa, FL | $1,458 – $2,323 | 2,827 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Orlando, FL | $1,458 – $2,208 | 2,809 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,487 – $2,208 | 2,849 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Florida
| From California to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Jacksonville, FL | $1,399 – $2,285 | 2,758 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Miami, FL | $1,607 – $2,367 | 3,076 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Tampa, FL | $1,487 – $2,415 | 2,869 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Orlando, FL | $1,516 – $2,346 | 2,851 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,487 – $2,415 | 2,892 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Florida
| From California to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA to Jacksonville, FL | $1,329 – $2,094 | 2,586 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Miami, FL | $1,471 – $2,311 | 2,902 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Tampa, FL | $1,326 – $2,157 | 2,696 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Orlando, FL | $1,326 – $2,178 | 2,679 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,356 – $2,330 | 2,718 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Florida
Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to Florida you should expect to pay between $1,713 and $2,829.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to FL
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Sunshine State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Florida.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Florida spans approximately 2,738 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between California and Florida and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to Florida should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Florida vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Florida
About 22 million people are living in the Sunshine State. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Florida?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Florida is about 2,738 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from California to Florida.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Florida?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Florida is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Florida?
Shipping a car from California to Florida costs $1,370 to $2,263.
