Florida to Maine Car Shipping

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

• Clean your vehicle – Wash the exterior so the carrier can clearly document its condition during the inspection.
• Document existing damage – Take photos of all four sides, the roof, and the interior before drop-off. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items – Carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings. Remove all items from the interior and trunk.
• Remove accessories – Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, roof racks, or bike racks that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass – Florida SunPass or E-ZPass transponders can accidentally register tolls along the route. Remove them before shipping.
• Check your fluids and tire pressure – Make sure there are no leaks and that your tires are properly inflated for loading and unloading.
• Keep the gas tank low – Leave only about a quarter tank of gas. A full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Provide a working key – Your carrier will need a key to load and unload your vehicle from the truck.
• Disable car alarms – An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays and frustration for the carrier.

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

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Florida to Maine. 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 journey to Maine.

Our quotes are all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges related to insurance coverage. You can ship with confidence knowing your vehicle is protected from pickup to delivery.

Still have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we’re 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 booking three to four weeks ahead is even better, especially during peak seasons.

Here’s why it matters:

• Summer months (May–August) are the busiest for Florida to Maine routes. Carriers fill up fast, so early booking helps you lock in a better rate.
• Snowbird season (October–December) also sees a surge in demand heading northbound. Don’t wait until the last minute.
• Booking early gives carriers time to bundle your vehicle with others along the same route, which keeps your shipping cost lower.

If you’re in a rush, last-minute shipping is still possible — but it may cost more and limit your carrier options. For the smoothest experience, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport as early as you can and lock in your pickup window.

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 Maine, 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 you see hauling cars on the highway every day. It is safe, reliable, and the right choice for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport keeps your vehicle inside a covered trailer, protecting it from road debris, weather, and the elements. It typically costs 50% or more than open transport. It is the best choice if you are shipping a:

• Classic or antique car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or modifications
• Any high-value vehicle you cannot risk exposing to the road

Keep in mind that the long haul from Florida to Maine means your car will spend more time on the road. If your vehicle is especially valuable or irreplaceable, the extra cost of enclosed transport is often worth the peace of mind.

Not sure which option is right for you? Check out our open vs. enclosed auto transport guide for a full breakdown.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Florida to Maine. 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 Florida and your delivery address in Maine. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your vehicle as close to your door as safely possible.

Keep in mind that Maine’s roads — especially in smaller towns or rural areas — can sometimes be narrow or have low-hanging branches that make it difficult for a large car carrier to navigate. If that’s the case, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting spot, like a parking lot or gas station. It’s a quick, easy solution that still saves you significant time and effort.

Bottom line: door-to-door service is the most popular option for Florida to Maine auto transport, and it’s included as a standard part of our process at Sherpa.

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!