Ohio to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your car for transport from Ohio to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth, worry-free shipment:

• Clean your vehicle – Wash your car before pickup so both you and the carrier can clearly document its condition.
• Document existing damage – Take photos of all sides of your vehicle. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items – Carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings. Remove all items from the interior and trunk.
• Remove toll passes and parking tags – Electronic toll devices like E-ZPass can be accidentally charged during transit. Take them out or cover them.
• Remove exterior accessories – Detach spoilers, bike racks, roof racks, or any custom add-ons that could be damaged on an open carrier.
• Check your fluid levels and tire pressure – Make sure there are no active leaks and that your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave only a quarter tank of gas – A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Disable your car alarm – An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays. Disable it or provide clear instructions to the carrier.
• Have a key ready – Your carrier will need a key to load and unload your vehicle safely.

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

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Ohio to Florida. 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 car ever gets on a truck, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing.

For added protection, all contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This gives us direct oversight and ensures your coverage is legitimate from pickup in Ohio to delivery in Florida.

We also recommend checking with your personal auto insurance provider before shipping. Some policies offer supplemental coverage during transport, which can give you extra peace of mind on a long haul like Ohio to Florida.

Have questions about coverage? Our team is happy to walk you through the details. Contact us anytime — we’re here to help.

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

• Carrier availability: Drivers running the Ohio-to-Florida route fill their trucks fast, especially during peak snowbird season (October through April).
• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often come with higher rates. More lead time gives you more options and more competitive quotes.
• Flexible pickup windows: Booking early means you can choose a pickup window that fits your schedule, rather than rushing to meet a carrier’s availability.

If you’re moving during the busy winter season, we strongly suggest booking three to four weeks out. Florida is one of the most popular car shipping destinations in the country, and trucks heading south fill up quickly.

Ready to get started? Get a free, instant quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and lock in your rate before the truck fills 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.

When shipping your car from Ohio to Florida, you have two options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars — the same type of truck you see hauling new cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from road debris, weather, and the elements. The tradeoff? It typically costs 40–60% more than open transport. It’s worth the extra cost if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or vintage car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or body modifications
• Low-clearance vehicle

For most everyday vehicles making the Ohio to Florida trip, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. Want to dig deeper? Check out our full open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to find the best fit for your situation.

Yes! Door-to-door auto transport is our most popular service for shipping a car from Ohio to Florida — and for good reason. It’s the most convenient option available.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, you simply provide your preferred pickup address in Ohio and your delivery address in Florida. 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” doesn’t always mean right in your driveway. Large car carriers can’t always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If that’s the case, your driver will work with you to find a safe and convenient nearby alternative — like a parking lot or gas station just around the corner.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. It’s the easiest way to get your car from Ohio to Florida without any extra legwork on your part.

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!