Michigan to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Michigan 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.
• Do a thorough inspection: Take photos and notes of your vehicle’s current condition. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items: Clear out all personal belongings from the interior. Items left inside are not covered by the carrier’s insurance.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like bike racks, spoilers, or custom antennas that could be damaged during transport.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any E-ZPass, SunPass, or other toll transponders to avoid accidental charges along the route.
• Check 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: An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays and complications for the carrier.
• Have a key ready: Provide your carrier with a working key at the time of pickup.

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

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Michigan to Florida with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here’s how we protect you:

• Liability Insurance: Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
• Cargo Insurance: All carriers must also hold a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, which covers your vehicle while it’s in transit.
• Verified Coverage: Before your car is picked up in Michigan, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is valid and active for the full duration of your shipment to Florida.
• Certificate Holder: Sherpa Auto Transport is added as a Certificate Holder on every contracted carrier’s insurance policy, giving you an extra layer of protection.

Our quotes are also all-inclusive — there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. The price you see is the price you pay.

For added peace of mind, we recommend doing a thorough vehicle inspection with your driver at both pickup and delivery. This ensures any pre-existing damage is documented and any new damage is easy to identify. If you have questions about coverage, contact our team — we’re happy to help.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your Michigan pickup at least two weeks in advance — but if you can plan further ahead, do it. Here’s why:

• Carrier availability: The Michigan-to-Florida route is popular, but open spots fill up fast — especially in the fall and winter when snowbirds head south.
• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more. Scheduling early gives carriers time to bundle your vehicle with others along the same route, which can lower your rate.
• Flexible timing: Life gets busy during a move. Booking early gives you breathing room if your plans change.

If you’re moving during peak snowbird season (October through January), we strongly suggest booking three to four weeks out. Demand on the Michigan-to-Florida corridor spikes during this time, and wait times can be longer.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and lock in your pickup date before spots are gone.

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 Michigan to Florida, you have two options: open or enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same type you see hauling new cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from road debris, weather, and the elements. The tradeoff? It typically costs 40–60% more than open transport. It’s best suited for:

• Classic or vintage cars
• Luxury or exotic vehicles
• Custom paint jobs or low-clearance cars
• High-value vehicles where extra protection is worth the cost

For most everyday vehicles making the Michigan to Florida trip, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. If you’re moving a prized or high-value car, enclosed transport gives you added peace of mind.

Not sure which 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 Michigan to Florida. 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 Michigan and your delivery address in Florida. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your vehicle as close to your front door as safely possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street or neighborhood. If your address has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or tight turns, the driver will coordinate with you to find a safe nearby meeting point — such as a parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but it does happen.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle, especially on a long haul like Michigan to Florida. Your driver will always communicate with you every step of the way to make the process as smooth as possible.

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!