Florida to California Car Shipping

Preparing your car for shipping from Florida to California is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth and safe transport:

• Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to see and document before pickup.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of all sides of your car. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute after delivery.
• Remove personal items: Carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings. Remove all items from the interior to avoid loss or damage.
• Remove toll passes and parking tags: Devices like SunPass (common in Florida) can accidentally register tolls while your car is on the carrier truck. Take them out before shipping.
• Check fluids and tire pressure: Make sure there are no active leaks and that your tires are properly inflated for safe loading and unloading.
• Leave only a quarter tank of gas: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. About ¼ tank is the ideal amount for transport.
• Disable car alarms: An alarm that triggers during transit can cause delays and complications for your carrier.
• Remove exterior accessories: Take off custom spoilers, bike racks, or antennas that could be damaged during the long haul from Florida to California.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key so they can load, unload, and reposition your vehicle as needed.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in making your Florida to California car shipment stress-free!

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Florida to California. Every carrier in the Sherpa network is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ever leaves Florida, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We also require all contracted carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of protection throughout the entire shipment.

It’s always a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider as well. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you extra peace of mind on a long-distance route like Florida to California.

The sooner, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two weeks in advance, but booking three to four weeks ahead is even better — especially for a long-haul route like Florida to California.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• More carrier options: Carriers plan their routes in advance. The earlier you book, the more drivers are available to choose from.
• Better pricing: Last-minute shipments often cost more. Early booking gives you access to more competitive rates.
• Faster pickup: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with others heading west, which speeds up scheduling and reduces your overall cost.

If you have a hard move-out date, work backward from that date and give yourself as much lead time as possible. The Florida-to-California route is one of the most popular in the country, so carriers are available — but high demand can still tighten availability, especially in peak seasons like summer.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport and lock in your shipment today.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable option. Your car rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most vehicles making the long haul from Florida to California.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 30–50% more, but it shields your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This is the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Luxury or exotic car
• Classic or antique vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

The Florida-to-California route is one of the most traveled in the country, so carriers are plentiful for both options. However, enclosed carriers are less common, which can mean slightly longer pickup windows.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our in-depth open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to help you decide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments, including routes from Florida to California. This is the most convenient and popular option for our customers.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Florida and your delivery address in California. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you — no need to drop your vehicle off at a terminal.

Keep in mind that door-to-door does not always mean your exact front door. Large auto transport trucks need room to maneuver safely. In some cases — such as narrow residential streets, low-hanging trees, or HOA restrictions — the driver may need to meet you at a nearby open location, like a parking lot or gas station. This is common and easy to arrange.

The good news? The Florida to California route is one of the most heavily traveled car shipping lanes in the country, so carriers are very familiar with pickup and delivery locations along the way. This means smoother scheduling and more flexibility for you.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!