Florida to Maryland Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Florida to Maryland 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 during the inspection.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before the carrier picks it up. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any belongings from the interior. Auto transport insurance does not cover personal items left inside.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or custom antennas that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Florida SunPass and E-ZPass transponders should be removed to avoid accidental toll charges along the route to Maryland.
• Check fluids and tire pressure: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order with no leaks. Tires should be properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Keep the fuel level at about 25%. Enough to load and unload, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key so they can safely load and unload your vehicle.
• Disable toll tags and alarms: Deactivate any car alarms to prevent them from going off during transport.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team is also happy to walk you through the process before your Florida to Maryland shipment begins.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Florida to Maryland. Every carrier in our 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 don’t just take their word for it — Sherpa Auto Transport 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 extra peace of mind on the long haul from Florida to Maryland.

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

• Carrier availability: The Florida-to-Maryland route is popular, but open spots fill up fast — especially during peak seasons like winter and summer.
• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more. Booking early gives you access to more competitive rates.
• Route bundling: Carriers bundle shipments headed in the same direction. The earlier you’re in the system, the easier it is to get matched with a carrier already running the Florida-to-Maryland corridor.

If you have a hard deadline — like a job start date or a closing on a new home — book as far out as possible to make sure your car arrives on time. A good rule of thumb: treat your car shipment like a flight. You wouldn’t book a flight the day before a big move.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport 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.

When shipping your car from Florida to Maryland, 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 — the same type used to deliver cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport typically costs 30–50% more than open transport, but it provides a fully covered trailer that shields your car from road debris, dust, and the elements. It’s the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Classic or collector car
• Vehicle with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

For most everyday vehicles making the trip from Florida to Maryland, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. But if your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, the extra peace of mind from enclosed transport is well worth it.

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 from Florida to Maryland. 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 Maryland. 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 your exact front door. Large car carriers need room to safely maneuver. In dense urban areas or neighborhoods with low-hanging trees or narrow streets, the driver may ask to meet at a nearby open location, such as a parking lot or gas station. This is completely normal and keeps your vehicle — and your neighborhood — safe.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. It’s one of the many reasons customers choose Sherpa for their Florida to Maryland car shipping needs.

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!