New York City, NY to Miami, FL Car Shipping
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Car Shipping from New York City to Miami
Planning a move from the Big Apple to sunny South Beach? Car shipping from New York City to Miami is easier than you think. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about auto transport between these major cities—including costs, timelines, and insider tips. Whether you’re relocating for work or escaping winter, we’ll help you navigate New York City to Miami car shipping with confidence.
Average Distance, Time and Cost
NY
New York City, NY
FL
Miami, FL
Pricing by Vehicle & Trailer Type
Based on 1,303 shipments from New York City to Miami, your vehicle type makes a real difference in price. SUVs cost about $71 more than cars, while pickups add $113. Want enclosed transport? That premium protection runs 73% more than open trailers.
By Vehicle Type
By Trailer Type
Note: Updated 2026 pricing. Prices shown are averages based on actual Sherpa shipments over the last 12 months. Your quote may vary based on specific pickup/delivery locations, vehicle condition, current market demand, and time of year. Get an instant quote for accurate pricing.
Key Takeaways From This Article
Auto Transport from New York to Florida
Shipping a car from New York City to Miami costs between $1,050-$1,275 and takes 1-5 days to cover the 1,288-mile journey along the I-95 corridor.
Our New York & Florida Customers
With over 8,000 five-star reviews and a BBB A+ rating, Sherpa Auto Transport stands out for transparent pricing backed by our Price Lock Promise—no hidden fees or surprise charges.
Factors that Impact Cost
Seasonal demand drives pricing on this route, with winter months seeing the highest costs as snowbirds migrate south—book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season for the best rates.
Tips and Tricks to Save
Save money by shipping during summer months, providing flexible pickup dates, and choosing accessible locations near major highways like I-95 instead of hard-to-reach areas.
How Car Shipping Works
Before pickup, remove all personal items, clean your vehicle for damage documentation, keep fuel at quarter-tank, and have a working key ready for the driver.
State Insights
Florida requires new residents to register vehicles within 10 days and obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days, with no emissions testing required unlike New York.
What Sherpa’s Customers are Saying
The Sherpa Difference
TRANSPARENCY
Our Price Lock Promise ensures you know exactly what you’ll pay, with no hidden fees or last-minute surprises.
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Whether you’re shipping your vehicle across the state or across the country, our extensive network of carriers ships to all 50 states all year round.
CUSTOMER FIRST APPROACH
Sherpa has a 4.87 average customer rating with over 7,000 five-star reviews. We were recognized by Auto Business Outlook as the Top Automotive Shipping Provider in 2023 for our commitment to customer service.
CARRIER QUALITY
We carefully evaluate transportation records, accident history, and customer feedback to vet every one of our carriers. If a carrier does not meet our high standards, we do not use them.
EXPERT HANDLING
From classic cars, everyday vehicles, motorcycles and more, we have the expertise to manage all types of auto transport needs with care and precision.
Factors that Affect New York to Florida Shipping Prices
Distance
The New York City to Miami route spans approximately 1,280 miles, making distance a significant cost factor. This cross-country journey requires substantial fuel and driver time, directly impacting your shipping quote and overall transportation expenses.
Route
This corridor follows major interstates like I-95, one of America’s busiest highways. The well-traveled route between these metropolitan areas offers competitive pricing due to high carrier traffic and readily available transport options throughout the year.
Season
Winter months see increased demand as snowbirds migrate to Florida, raising prices significantly. Summer and spring typically offer better rates, while fall provides moderate pricing. Book early during peak winter season to secure availability.
Vehicle Type
Compact cars and sedans ship most affordably on this route. Larger SUVs, trucks, and oversized vehicles incur higher costs due to increased weight, fuel consumption, and limited trailer space availability for oversized loads.
Traffic Considerations
Holiday periods, especially Thanksgiving week and winter holidays, create significant traffic congestion along I-95. Schedule shipments during mid-week or off-peak times to avoid delays and potential rush-period surcharges from carriers.
Carrier Availability
Carriers frequently travel this popular route year-round, ensuring good availability. However, winter demand peaks require 2-3 weeks advance booking, while off-season summer months often provide pickup within days of requesting service.
Open vs Enclosed
Open transport costs significantly less and works perfectly for most vehicles on this route. Enclosed trailers, recommended for luxury or classic cars, provide weather protection but typically cost 40-60% more than standard open carriers.
Population Density
Dense Manhattan pickup locations add costs due to tight streets and parking restrictions. Consider meeting carriers in accessible New Jersey or outer borough locations. Miami’s sprawling layout offers easier, more affordable suburban delivery options.
Tips & Tricks for Saving on Vehicle Shipping
Off Season Savings
Timing matters when shipping your vehicle. Avoid peak snowbird season (October through March) when New Yorkers flock to Florida. Shipping during summer months typically offers lower rates and faster availability, with savings sometimes reaching hundreds of dollars just by waiting a few weeks.
Flexible Pickup & Delivery
Flexible scheduling saves money. Carriers offer discounts when you provide a five-day pickup and delivery window instead of exact dates. This flexibility allows drivers to optimize their routes and fill trucks efficiently, passing savings directly to you while maintaining reliable service.
Hub City Advantages
Location drives cost. Choose pickup and delivery spots near major highways like I-95 in both cities. These accessible locations attract more carriers, increasing competition and lowering prices. Rural or hard-to-reach areas require extra time and fuel, significantly raising your shipping quote.
Open Trailers
Transport method affects price. Open trailers cost significantly less than enclosed options and safely ship most vehicles. They’re perfect for standard cars and SUVs. Reserve enclosed trailers for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles needing extra protection from weather and road debris.
Learn More About Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
How does Car Shipping from New York to Florida Work?
Shipping a car from New York City to Miami is a popular auto transport route covering approximately 1,288 miles along the East Coast. This well-traveled corridor connects two major metropolitan areas, making it one of the most frequently serviced routes in the country. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we’ve completed over 1,300 deliveries on this route, with typical costs ranging from $1,050 to $1,275 depending on your vehicle type and service preferences.
The car shipping process begins with requesting a quote and booking your transport. You’ll choose between open or enclosed auto transport based on your budget and vehicle protection needs. Open carriers are more economical and widely available for this route, while enclosed transport offers premium protection against weather and road debris. Once booked, we’ll assign a trusted carrier and provide pickup details for your New York City location.
Before pickup, remove personal items from your vehicle and ensure it’s in running condition. Our driver will inspect your car, document its condition, and load it securely onto the carrier. The journey from New York City to Miami typically takes 1-5 days, depending on the carrier’s schedule and any additional stops along the route. This timeline accounts for the distance and potential traffic through major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Jacksonville.
Upon arrival in Miami, you’ll perform a final inspection with the driver to confirm your vehicle’s condition matches the initial report. New York City to Miami car shipping is straightforward when you work with experienced professionals. The route’s popularity means frequent carrier availability and competitive pricing. Whether you’re relocating, sending a vehicle to family, or transporting a seasonal car to Florida, this route offers reliable service with predictable timelines and transparent pricing throughout the entire auto transport process.
New York to Florida Car Transport: State Insights and Regulations
When planning car shipping from New York City to Miami, understanding the regulatory differences between New York and Florida is essential. Florida requires new residents to register their vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency, while also obtaining a Florida driver’s license within 30 days. The registration process in Florida is generally more straightforward than New York’s, with lower fees and no annual safety inspections required.
One major advantage of New York City to Miami car shipping is escaping New York’s strict emissions testing requirements. Florida has no statewide emissions testing program, eliminating this recurring expense for most drivers. However, Florida does have specific regulations worth noting. Window tinting laws are more restrictive in Florida, allowing only 28% light transmission on front side windows compared to New York’s 70%. Additionally, Florida enforces strict vehicle frame height regulations, particularly for modified trucks and SUVs.
After your auto transport is complete, consider weather-related modifications for your vehicle. You can safely remove winter tires and cold-weather equipment that were necessary in New York City. Florida’s intense sun and humidity require different preparation—invest in a quality sun shade, consider ceramic window tinting for UV protection, and ensure your air conditioning system is functioning optimally. The salt air in coastal Miami can accelerate rust, so regular washing and protective wax coatings become more important.
Insurance considerations differ significantly between states. Florida requires only $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, which is considerably less than New York’s mandatory liability coverage. However, Florida has higher uninsured motorist rates, making comprehensive coverage advisable. Contact your insurance provider before your car shipping date to ensure continuous coverage during transport and to adjust your policy for Florida’s requirements. Many drivers find Florida insurance rates lower than New York City’s notoriously expensive premiums, providing additional savings beyond the move itself.
New York City, NY to Miami, FL Vehicle Transport FAQs
Preparing your vehicle for the New York City to Miami route is simple. Follow these key steps:
- Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos
- Remove personal items: Clear out all belongings, toll passes (E-ZPass, SunPass), and loose items from the interior
- Check for leaks: Ensure your vehicle has no fluid leaks and is in good running condition
- Document condition: Take dated photos of all sides of your vehicle before pickup
- Fuel level: Keep your gas tank at quarter-full or less to reduce weight
- Disable alarms: Turn off car alarms to avoid issues during transport
- Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the driver
For a complete preparation checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Proper preparation ensures a smooth pickup in NYC and safe delivery to Miami.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from New York City to Miami.
Every carrier in the Sherpa Auto Transport network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your vehicle ships, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and valid for the entire journey from New York City to Miami.
For added protection, all our contracted carriers list Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we monitor coverage throughout your shipment to ensure continuous protection.
While damage during transport is rare, this comprehensive insurance coverage gives you peace of mind as your vehicle travels the 1,280 miles from New York City to Miami.
We recommend scheduling your car shipment from New York City to Miami at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.
Here’s why advance notice helps:
- Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and combine shipments, which often means lower costs for you
- More carrier options: Popular routes like NYC to Miami fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
- Flexible pickup dates: You’ll have more control over your schedule instead of taking whatever’s available last-minute
That said, we understand that sometimes you need faster service. Sherpa Auto Transport can often accommodate rush shipments with as little as 24-48 hours notice, though this may come with expedited pricing.
Pro tip: If you’re moving during summer months (May-September) or around holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead. These are peak times for the NYC to Miami route.
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 auto transport uses open-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once, leaving your car exposed to weather and road elements. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport.
Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, road debris, and dust. This premium service typically costs 40-60% more than open transport.
For most standard vehicles traveling from New York City to Miami, open transport works perfectly fine. However, you should consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications.
Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.
Yes! We offer convenient door-to-door auto transport service from New York City to Miami. When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in NYC and your delivery address in Miami. Our carrier will come directly to your location to pick up your vehicle and deliver it right to your door in Florida.
In some cases, large car carriers may not be able to access certain streets in NYC due to narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or tight turns. If this happens, our driver will work with you to choose a nearby meeting spot that’s easy to reach – like a parking lot or main street. The same applies for delivery in Miami. This flexibility ensures your vehicle gets transported safely while still offering maximum convenience.
Bottom line: We handle the logistics so you don’t have to drive your car 1,280 miles or arrange transport to a distant terminal.
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!
Welcome to Miami
Miami is a vibrant international city with over 470,000 residents in the city proper and 2.7 million in the metro area. Known for its diverse culture, beautiful beaches, and thriving business scene, Miami offers a unique blend of Latin American influences and American lifestyle. The city serves as a major gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, creating a truly cosmopolitan atmosphere with year-round sunshine and endless opportunities.
Popular Neighborhoods
South Beach attracts young professionals with its art deco architecture, nightlife, and beach access, though it comes with higher costs. Coral Gables offers family-friendly suburban living with excellent schools and Mediterranean-style homes. Brickell serves as Miami’s financial district, featuring modern high-rises and urban amenities perfect for professionals. Coconut Grove provides a bohemian atmosphere with tree-lined streets, waterfront dining, and a more relaxed pace, appealing to those seeking character and charm.
Practical Moving Tips
Florida residents must obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. You’ll need to register your vehicle within 10 days of becoming a resident or starting employment. Required documents include your current license, proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida residency. Vehicle registration requires your title, current registration, and proof of Florida insurance. Florida requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance with minimum $10,000 coverage. Your vehicle must pass a VIN verification if coming from out of state. Consider scheduling your DMV appointment in advance, as wait times can be lengthy, especially in busy areas like Miami-Dade County.
Climate & Lifestyle
Miami enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, averaging 70-80°F in winter and 80-90°F in summer. The hurricane season runs June through November, requiring preparation and potentially affecting insurance rates. High humidity and salt air can impact vehicle maintenance—regular washing helps prevent salt corrosion, and parking in shade or covered areas protects against intense UV rays. The outdoor lifestyle means more driving to beaches, restaurants, and events, making reliable transportation essential for fully enjoying what Miami offers.
Getting Around Miami
Miami’s sprawling layout makes owning a car essential for most residents. Major highways include I-95 (north-south), I-75 (to western suburbs), and the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826). Traffic congestion is common during rush hours, especially on I-95 and US-1. While Miami has Metrorail and Metrobus systems, public transit coverage is limited compared to other major cities. Having your own vehicle provides flexibility to explore different neighborhoods, reach employment centers, and enjoy Miami’s diverse dining and entertainment options across the metro area.