Florida to Virginia Car Shipping

Getting your car ready for transport from Florida to Virginia 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. This protects you if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Remove personal items: Carriers are not insured to transport personal belongings. Empty the interior of valuables, loose items, and anything that could shift during the drive.
• Remove accessories: Take off external add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or custom antennas. These can be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Florida SunPass and E-ZPass devices should be removed to avoid unwanted charges along the route.
• Check fluids and tire pressure: Make sure your car is in good working order. Check for any leaks, as carriers may refuse a vehicle that is actively leaking fluid.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload your vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Provide a working key: Your carrier will need a key to move your vehicle on and off the transport truck.
• Disable the alarm: Let your carrier know how to turn off your alarm system to avoid any delays.

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 when shipping from Florida to Virginia with Sherpa Auto Transport. Every carrier we work with is required to carry:

• $1,000,000 in liability insurance
• $100,000 in cargo insurance

Before your car is ever loaded onto a truck, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We don’t cut corners here — your peace of mind matters.

All of our contracted carriers also list Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This gives us an extra layer of oversight to protect you throughout your shipment.

It’s also a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider before your shipment. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you even more confidence on moving day.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your Florida pickup at least 2 weeks in advance, but booking 3–4 weeks ahead gives you the most flexibility and the best chance of locking in a great rate.

Here’s why early booking matters for the Florida to Virginia route:

• Carrier availability: More lead time means more carriers to choose from, which can lower your cost.
• Bundling shipments: Carriers prefer to fill their trucks with vehicles headed in the same direction. The earlier you post, the easier it is for them to bundle your car with others on the Florida–Virginia corridor.
• Peak season demand: Florida is one of the busiest car shipping states in the country. Snowbird season (October–April) drives up demand, so booking early is especially important during those months.

If you’re in a time crunch, expedited shipping options are available — but they typically come at a higher price. For the smoothest, most affordable experience, get your free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport as early as possible and let us handle the rest.

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 transport is the most popular and affordable option for shipping your car from Florida to Virginia. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more than open transport, but it provides an extra layer of protection. Your car is fully shielded from road debris, weather, and the elements inside a covered trailer. It’s the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Classic or antique car
• Vehicle with a custom paint job
• Low-clearance sports car

For most everyday vehicles making the Florida to Virginia trip, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. If your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, the added cost of enclosed shipping is well worth the peace of mind.

Not sure which option is right for you? 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 from Florida to Virginia. 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 Virginia. Your assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to load and deliver your vehicle.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street safely — narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or local traffic laws can sometimes be a challenge. If your address is difficult to reach, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative, such as a parking lot or gas station. This is very common and easy to coordinate.

Door-to-door service is available for all Florida cities — including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville — with deliveries to any Virginia destination, including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

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!