Florida to Washington Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Florida to Washington is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth transit:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to spot and document before pickup.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of all sides of your vehicle. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items: Clear out all personal belongings from the interior. Most carriers are not insured to cover personal items left inside.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like bike racks, spoilers, or custom antennas that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any toll transponders (like SunPass, which is common in Florida) to avoid unexpected charges during transport.
• Check your fluids and tire pressure: Make sure there are no fluid leaks and that your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. Keep it at about 25% for the trip.
• Disable car alarms: An alarm that goes off during transport can be a major hassle for your carrier.
• Provide a working key: Make sure the carrier has a key available to move your vehicle on and off the transport truck.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in making your Florida to Washington auto transport as smooth as possible!

Yes! When you ship your vehicle from Florida to Washington with Sherpa Auto Transport, your car is insured throughout the entire journey. Here is what you need to know:

• Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.
• Before your vehicle is ever loaded, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing.
• All contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy, giving you an extra layer of protection.

Our quotes are also all-inclusive, so there are no surprise fees or hidden costs when shipping from Florida to Washington.

While damage during transport is rare, it is important to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle at both pickup and delivery. Any pre-existing damage should be noted on the Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves. This document is your best protection if a claim ever needs to be filed.

Have more questions about coverage? Contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the details.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two weeks in advance — but if you can, book even earlier. Here’s why:

• More carrier options: Booking early gives more carriers the chance to pick up your vehicle, which can mean better rates and faster service.
• Route bundling: Carriers traveling from Florida to Washington prefer to bundle multiple shipments along the same route. The earlier you post, the easier it is for them to plan your car into their load.
• Peak season demand: Florida is one of the busiest car shipping states in the country. During peak seasons — like snowbird season in the spring — availability fills up fast.

Keep in mind that the drive from Florida to Washington is roughly 2,800+ miles, so transit time alone can take 5 to 9 days once your vehicle is picked up. Planning ahead ensures your car arrives when you need it.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and lock in your pickup date before spots fill up.

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 for shipping your car from Florida to Washington. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 30–50% more than open transport, but it offers added protection. Your car is fully shielded from road debris, weather, and dust inside a covered trailer. This option is best for:

• Luxury or exotic cars
• Classic or collector vehicles
• Cars with custom paint jobs or modifications
• Any vehicle you simply can’t afford to risk

For most people shipping a standard vehicle from Florida to Washington, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. If your car has high monetary or sentimental value, enclosed transport gives you the extra peace of mind worth the added cost.

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

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Florida to Washington. This is the most convenient way to ship your vehicle — no need to drop it off at a terminal or lot.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Florida and your delivery address in Washington. Your assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to load and unload your vehicle.

Keep in mind that Florida and Washington both have areas with narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or local traffic restrictions that can make it difficult for a large car carrier to access. If your address poses a challenge, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is completely normal and very common.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and effort. It is the most popular option for customers shipping a car from Florida to Washington, and our team will work hard to get as close to your door as safely and legally possible.

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!