California to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipment from California to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth and safe transit:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to spot and document before pickup.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of all sides of your vehicle. This protects you in the rare event of a damage claim.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any belongings from the interior. Auto transport carriers are not licensed to ship household goods, and items left inside are not covered by insurance.
• Remove or secure accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or custom mirrors that could be damaged or cause damage during the long haul from California to Florida.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any E-ZPass, FasTrak, or SunPass transponders to avoid being charged for tolls the carrier drives through.
• Check your fluids and tire pressure: Make sure there are no leaks and that your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable car alarms: An alarm that goes off in transit can be a major hassle for the driver. Deactivate it or let the carrier know how to turn it off.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key at pickup.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in making your California to Florida car shipping experience stress-free!

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from California 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 California, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We also require every contracted carrier to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of protection throughout the entire shipment.

It’s always a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider as well. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you extra peace of mind on a long haul like California to Florida.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two weeks in advance — but if you can book three to four weeks ahead, even better. Here’s why:

• Carrier availability: The California to Florida route is one of the most popular in the country, but open spots on carriers fill up fast, especially during peak moving seasons (summer and around the holidays).
• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often come with higher rates. Booking early gives carriers more time to bundle your vehicle with others heading the same direction, which can help keep costs down.
• More flexibility: Booking in advance means you can choose a pickup window that works best for your schedule.

If you’re in a hurry, we do offer expedited shipping options — but expect to pay a premium. For most people, planning ahead is the easiest way to get a smooth, stress-free shipment. Get a free quote today and lock in your spot 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 California to Florida, you have two main options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air, multi-car carrier — the same type of truck used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport provides a fully covered trailer that shields your car from weather, road debris, and outside elements. The tradeoff? It typically costs 40–60% more than open transport due to lower carrier capacity and higher demand.

So, which one is right for you?

• Choose open transport if you have an everyday vehicle and want the best value.
• Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury, classic, exotic, or low-clearance vehicle where protecting your investment is the top priority.

Keep in mind that on a long haul like California to Florida — roughly 2,500+ miles — your car will be on the road for several days. Enclosed transport gives extra peace of mind for high-value vehicles on longer routes.

Still not sure which option fits your needs? 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, including car shipping from California to Florida. This is the most convenient way to ship your vehicle — no need to drop it off at a terminal or travel out of your way.

Here’s how it works:

• At booking: You provide your preferred pickup address in California and your delivery address in Florida.
• Pickup: Your assigned carrier will come directly to your specified location to load your vehicle.
• Delivery: Your car is delivered right to your door in Florida.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street. If your address has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or other obstacles, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but it does happen.

Door-to-door service is included as standard with every Sherpa shipment. There are no hidden terminal fees. Get a free quote today and let us handle the heavy lifting on your California to Florida move.

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!