Ohio to Florida Car Shipping

Expect an estimated $700 to $1,150 for Ohio to Florida shipments, spanning about 729 to 1,325 miles. The two biggest factors are the Ohio pickup city and where you land on the peninsula: Cincinnati and Dayton are closest to Florida by road, while Cleveland, Akron and Toledo are further north. Orlando and Tampa are cheaper than Miami.

Examples from our route pages:

• Cincinnati to Orlando (899 miles): $642–$917
• Cincinnati to Tampa (916 miles): $635–$907
• Columbus to Orlando (948 miles): $657–$939
• Cleveland to Orlando (1,037 miles): $711–$1,016
• Cincinnati to Miami (1,123 miles): $763–$1,089
• Columbus to Miami (1,158 miles): $786–$1,123
• Cleveland to Miami (1,247 miles): $847–$1,210

Autumn prices may be higher because many Ohio residents are heading south for the winter. An SUV costs more than a sedan, and an inoperable vehicle carries a surcharge. Keep in mind that every price on this page is an estimate for planning: your quote is based on your exact cities and travel date.

Most Ohio to Florida shipments take 2–4 days. Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus to Orlando or Tampa are 2–3 days, while Cleveland or Akron to South Florida lean toward 2–4. Pickup is another 1–3 business days after booking.

• Ohio winter. Lake-effect snow near Cleveland and Toledo and ice statewide can delay a pickup, particularly in January.
• Fall rush. October and November are busy as seasonal residents send cars down, so booking two weeks ahead helps. College students heading to Florida schools add some traffic in August.
• Florida delivery. In gated communities or condo complexes the driver may need you to meet at the entrance.

Cars from southwest Ohio usually start on I-75 through Cincinnati, Kentucky, Tennessee and Atlanta before reaching Florida, where I-75 continues to Tampa and I-4 branches to Orlando. Columbus and Cleveland loads often come down I-71 to meet I-75 near Cincinnati, while some trucks from northeast Ohio use I-77 south through West Virginia and the Carolinas, picking up I-95 for the east coast of Florida.

Hurricane season is the main weather factor on the Florida end, from June through November. Heading the other way, spring is the time snowbirds come back north. If you are moving permanently, shipping the car a few days before you arrive keeps you from driving 1,000 miles in winter weather, and a one-way flight is often cheaper than the fuel and hotels.

Most Ohio to Florida moves use an open carrier, which is the standard and lowest-cost choice. If the car is a classic, a convertible or a luxury model, enclosed transport shields it from road salt left over from an Ohio winter and from Florida’s afternoon storms. Enclosed trucks are fewer, so schedule ahead. Open carriers cover Ohio to Florida more often and will usually get you an earlier pickup.