California to Florida Car Shipping

Costs for California to Florida run an estimated $1,130–$1,690. The Southern California to Jacksonville or Tampa corner is usually the lowest, and the Central Valley or Northern California to South Florida runs toward the top.

• San Diego to Jacksonville (2,338 miles): $1,064–$1,520
• San Diego to Tampa (2,448 miles): $1,097–$1,567
• Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale (2,710 miles): $1,157–$1,653
• Los Angeles to Miami (2,733 miles): $1,167–$1,667
• Fresno to Miami (2,867 miles): $1,184–$1,692

Searches like how much it costs to ship a car from California to Florida usually want one number, but the cities, vehicle and date all move it. Use the calculator for your own pair. Heavy SUVs and cars that do not run cost more.

Spring and early summer bring the busiest moves toward Florida, so a few days of flexibility on the pickup date can keep the price near the lower part of the range.

Most California to Florida shipments take 7–9 days after pickup. San Diego or Los Angeles to Jacksonville is shown at 5–8 days. Pickup is generally 1–3 business days after booking.

Where the time goes:

• Pickup density. Los Angeles, San Diego and the Inland Empire have the most trucks leaving east, so those pickups are placed quickly.
• Arrival in Florida. The driver covers the Panhandle, then moves down through central Florida to the coasts, so deliveries to Miami or the Keys are last.
• Season. Delivering in autumn, hurricane season can bring a day or more of delay, and mountain snow in winter can slow the Southwest.

If you need the car by a fixed date, such as a lease start or a job, book earlier than you think and ask for the widest delivery window you can accept.

The corridor is I-10 from end to end: Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola, then across the Panhandle to Jacksonville. From there carriers go south on I-95 for Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, or turn onto I-75 for Tampa and Southwest Florida.

Cars from Northern California start with a short drive down I-5 or Highway 99 to join the same route, while some drivers take I-40 and I-20 instead. The top Florida drop-off areas in our data include Tampa, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, Pompano Beach and Tallahassee.

People moving to Florida often time the shipment for after arrival, but if you ship ahead you can have the car at your new address when you land. Avoid delivery days when a named storm is forecast.

The default for California to Florida is an open carrier. Pick enclosed transport when the car is a classic, an exotic or a recent purchase you want protected from desert dust and Florida rain. Because the lane is long, book enclosed space early.

On the day of pickup, keep fuel low, remove personal items, and photograph all sides of the car so any damage claim has a clear starting point.