Shipping a car from California to Florida: route guide

California to Florida is a coast-to-coast trip of roughly 2,400 to 2,800 miles, depending on your start and end points. It's one of the most common long-distance routes on Transport Auto Reviews.

What reviewers paid

Reviewers who shipped California to Florida reported paying about $1,084 on average (39 reviews, 2015 to 2018). That's a little less than the reverse trip, Florida to California, at about $1,145 (66 reviews). Prices today are usually higher, but the comparison between directions tends to hold. See the California to Florida route page for the latest reviews.

How long it takes

Expect about one to two weeks on the road, plus the wait for pickup. Trucks on this lane often stop in Arizona, Texas and along the Gulf Coast to drop off and collect other cars. See how long car shipping takes.

Tips for this route

• Big metro to big metro is fastest. Los Angeles, San Diego or the Bay Area to Miami, Orlando or Tampa are busy lanes with plenty of trucks.
• Watch the season. Fall is snowbird season, when cars flood south and east. If you can ship in late summer or after the holidays, you may save. See the cheapest time to ship a car.
• Open transport is the norm for this distance. Choose enclosed for classics or high-value cars.
• Florida registration. After the car arrives, Florida typically requires a VIN verification and registration within a set number of days. Check the state's rules before you go.

Choose a company

Read reviews from customers who shipped on this route, check each company's FMCSA record, and compare quotes. There are hundreds of companies based in Florida and California on our site.