Florida to Michigan Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Florida to Michigan is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth and safe transport:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior before pickup. This makes it easier to spot any pre-existing scratches or dents during the inspection.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles. This protects you in the rare event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any belongings from the interior. Auto transport insurance does not cover personal items left inside the vehicle.
• Remove or secure accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or custom mirrors that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Florida SunPass or E-ZPass transponders should be removed to avoid unexpected charges during the drive to Michigan.
• Check your fluid levels and tire pressure: Make sure there are no active leaks and that your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload your vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your car alarm: This prevents any disruptions during transport.
• Provide a working key: Your carrier will need a key to move the vehicle on and off the truck.

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

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Florida to Michigan. 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 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 the entire trip to Michigan.

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 a long-distance route like Florida to Michigan.

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 Florida pickup at least two weeks in advance — but booking even earlier gives you more flexibility and better rates.

Here’s why early booking matters for Florida-to-Michigan shipments:

• Carrier availability: Florida is a high-demand pickup state, especially during snowbird season (October through April). Spots fill up fast.
• Better pricing: Last-minute shipments often cost more. Booking ahead gives carriers time to bundle your vehicle with others heading north, which can lower your rate.
• Flexible scheduling: Early bookings allow you to choose a pickup window that works best for you, rather than accepting whatever is available.

If you need to ship on short notice, don’t worry — we can often accommodate expedited pickups, though availability and pricing may vary. As a general rule, two weeks is the minimum, but three to four weeks is ideal.

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 Michigan, 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 most new cars are delivered to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 30–50% more, but it shields your car inside a fully covered trailer. This is the best choice if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic car, exotic vehicle, or anything with a custom paint job that you can’t risk exposing to road debris or the elements.

For most standard vehicles making the Florida to Michigan trip, 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 option is right for you? Check out our detailed 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 routes from Florida to Michigan. 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: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Florida and your delivery address in Michigan. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your car as close to your door as possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If that’s the case, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting point — like a local parking lot or gas station. It’s a quick, easy solution that still saves you a significant amount of time and effort.

Bottom line: Door-to-door service is included as a standard option with Sherpa Auto Transport. It’s the most popular choice for customers shipping cars from Florida to Michigan, and for good reason — it’s simple, stress-free, and convenient.

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!