Florida to Minnesota Car Shipping

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

• Clean your vehicle: 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 all sides of your car before the carrier arrives. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any personal belongings from the interior. Most carriers are not insured to cover personal items left inside the vehicle.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, roof racks, or custom mirrors that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Florida uses SunPass and other toll devices. Remove them before shipping to avoid unexpected charges along the route.
• 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 triggers during transport can cause delays and complications for the carrier.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key for loading and unloading.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Proper preparation helps protect your car on the long haul from Florida to Minnesota and gives you peace of mind throughout the process.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Florida to Minnesota with Sherpa Auto Transport. 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 — we check it ourselves. Additionally, all contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy, giving you an extra layer of protection.

This means that from the moment your vehicle is loaded in Florida to the moment it is delivered in Minnesota, you are covered. Our goal is to give you complete peace of mind throughout the entire shipping process.

Have more 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 if you can book three to four weeks ahead, even better.

Here’s why: carriers running the Florida to Minnesota route need time to bundle multiple shipments together along the same corridor. The more lead time you give, the easier it is to match you with a carrier, which can also mean lower rates.

A few things that can affect your timeline:

• Season: Snowbird season (late fall and spring) is extremely busy in Florida. If you’re shipping during peak times, book four or more weeks out.
• Flexibility: A flexible pickup window of two to five days makes it easier for carriers to fit you in quickly.
• Vehicle type: Oversized or inoperable vehicles may need extra lead time to find the right carrier.

Need to ship on short notice? We can often accommodate last-minute shipments, but availability and pricing may vary. Get a free quote today and lock in your rate as early as possible.

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 Minnesota, 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 kind used to deliver cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more, but it shields your car from road debris, dust, and the elements inside a fully covered trailer. It’s the smart choice if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic car, exotic vehicle, or anything with a custom paint job that you simply can’t risk exposing to the road.

For most everyday vehicles making the Florida-to-Minnesota trip, open transport is the way to go. But if your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, the extra cost of enclosed shipping is well worth the peace of mind.

Want to dig deeper? Check out our full open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to find the best fit for your vehicle.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Florida to Minnesota. This is the most convenient way to ship your vehicle — no need to drop it off at a terminal or lot.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Florida and your delivery address in Minnesota. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you at both ends of the trip.

Keep in mind that some neighborhoods, streets, or residential areas may have size or access restrictions for large transport trucks. If that’s the case, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is a quick and easy fix that rarely causes any delays.

Door-to-door service is available for nearly all Florida to Minnesota routes, whether you’re shipping from Miami, Orlando, or Tampa to Minneapolis, St. Paul, or Duluth. It’s the most popular option our customers choose — and for good reason.

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!