Virginia to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your car for transport from Virginia to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth shipment:

• Clean your vehicle – Wash the exterior so the carrier can easily document its condition during the pre-shipment inspection.
• Document existing damage – Take clear photos of your car from all angles before pickup. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items – Auto transport carriers are not licensed to ship household goods. Remove all personal belongings from the interior.
• Remove or secure accessories – Take off exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or roof racks that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass (E-ZPass, SunPass, etc.) – Toll roads exist along the Virginia-to-Florida route. A transponder left in the car may rack up unexpected charges.
• Leave only a quarter tank of gas – A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Disable car alarms – An alarm that triggers during transport causes delays for the carrier.
• Provide a working key – Your carrier will need to move your vehicle on and off the truck.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little prep goes a long way in making your Virginia to Florida car shipment fast and stress-free.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Virginia to Florida. 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 Virginia, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We don’t just take their word for it — Sherpa is added as a Certificate Holder on every carrier’s insurance policy, giving you an extra layer of protection throughout your shipment.

It’s also a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider before shipping. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you even greater peace of mind on the long haul from Virginia to Florida.

Have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we’re happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two weeks in advance, though booking three to four weeks ahead is ideal for the Virginia to Florida route.

Here’s why early booking works in your favor:

• More carrier options: Carriers plan their routes in advance. The earlier you post your shipment, the more drivers can bid on it — which can mean better pricing.
• Easier bundling: Carriers often bundle multiple vehicles heading in the same direction. Early bookings make it easier to group your car with others traveling from Virginia to Florida, keeping costs down.
• Peak season demand: Florida is a high-demand destination, especially in the fall and winter months when snowbirds head south. Availability fills up fast during these times, so booking early is critical.

If you’re in a hurry, expedited shipping is available, but it typically costs more. For the smoothest, most affordable experience, give yourself as much lead time as possible. Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and lock in your rate early.

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 Virginia to Florida, you have two options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer alongside other cars — the same way dealerships receive new vehicles. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more, but it provides a fully covered trailer that shields your car from road debris, weather, and the elements along the Virginia-to-Florida route. This is the best choice if you’re shipping a:

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

For most everyday vehicles, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. If your car has high value or sentimental worth, the added peace of mind from enclosed transport is well worth the extra cost.

Not sure which option 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 from Virginia to Florida. This is the most convenient way to ship your car — no need to drop it off at a terminal or travel out of your way.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Virginia and your delivery address in Florida. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your vehicle as close to your door as safely possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers can’t always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If that’s the case, your driver will communicate with you to arrange a nearby alternative — like a parking lot or gas station — that works for both of you. This is very common and nothing to worry about.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle, making your Virginia to Florida move as smooth as 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!