Rhode Island to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Rhode Island to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth transit:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior before drop-off. 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 vehicle before the carrier picks it up. This protects you in the rare 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 such as roof racks, spoilers, or bike racks that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach your E-ZPass or SunPass transponder. If left in the car, it may accidentally register tolls 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.
• Provide a working key: Your carrier will need a key to move the vehicle on and off the transport truck.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team is always here to help make your Rhode Island to Florida auto transport as easy as possible.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Rhode Island to Florida 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 Rhode Island, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We also require all contracted carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of protection throughout your shipment.

Our quotes are all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. You can feel confident that your vehicle is covered from pickup in Rhode Island all the way to delivery in Florida.

Still have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we’re happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner, the better! We recommend scheduling your Rhode Island pickup at least two weeks in advance. However, booking even earlier gives you a big advantage — more carriers are available, and your vehicle can be bundled with other shipments heading south toward Florida, which can lower your cost.

Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:

• Peak season matters. Snowbirds flood the Florida-bound routes in late fall and winter. If you’re shipping between October and January, book 3–4 weeks ahead to lock in the best rate and availability.
• Last-minute shipping is possible, but it often comes at a premium price and with fewer carrier options.
• Flexibility helps. If you can offer a flexible pickup window of a few days, carriers can match you with a route more easily.

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

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 Rhode Island to Florida, you have two options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars. It’s safe, reliable, and used for the vast majority of shipments. Most standard cars, trucks, and SUVs travel this way without any issues.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 30–50% more than open transport. Your vehicle rides inside a fully covered trailer, protected from road debris, weather, and the elements. This is the best choice if you own a classic car, luxury vehicle, exotic car, or a vehicle with a custom paint job — anything where even minor exposure to the road carries too much risk.

For most everyday vehicles making the trip from Rhode Island to Florida, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. But if your car holds significant value, enclosed transport offers the extra peace of mind worth the added cost. Learn more in our open vs. enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for shipments from Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island and your delivery address in Florida. Your assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to pick up and drop off your vehicle.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street or neighborhood. If your address has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or other obstacles, your driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative — like a local parking lot or gas station. This is common and nothing to worry about.

Bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle, making your Rhode Island to Florida move 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!