Texas to Florida Car Shipping

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

• 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 clear photos of your vehicle from all angles. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any valuables, loose items, and personal belongings. These are not covered by the carrier’s insurance.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any toll transponders (like TxTag or SunPass) to avoid accidental charges along the route.
• Check your fluids and tires: Make sure your tire pressure is correct and there are no fluid leaks. Your car needs to be driveable for loading and unloading.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Enough fuel is needed to drive the car on and off the carrier, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your car alarm: This prevents any disruptions during transport.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key at the time of pickup.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team is also happy to answer any questions before your shipment departs from Texas to Florida.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Texas to Florida with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here is 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 carry a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, which covers your vehicle directly while it is in transit.
• Verified Coverage: Before your car is picked up in Texas, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing 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 and accountability.

Our pricing is also all-inclusive, so there are no surprise fees or hidden charges related to insurance coverage.

Have more questions about your coverage? Contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the details before you book your shipment.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your Texas 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 competitive rate.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• More carrier options: Carriers who regularly run the Texas-to-Florida route can plan your vehicle into their existing loads.
• Lower cost: Last-minute shipments often require premium pricing to attract an available carrier quickly.
• Flexible pickup windows: Booking early means you are less likely to feel rushed if your schedule changes.

If you are in a hurry, don’t worry — Sherpa Auto Transport can often arrange expedited pickup within a few days. However, expedited shipping may come at a higher cost. For the smoothest, most affordable experience, plan ahead and book 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 Texas to Florida, 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 type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and gets the job done for most vehicles.

Enclosed transport places your car inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from road debris, weather, and the elements. The tradeoff? It typically costs 50% or more than open transport.

So when does enclosed make sense? Consider it if you’re shipping:

• A classic or exotic car
• A luxury vehicle (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, etc.)
• A car with a custom paint job or body modifications
• Any vehicle where even minor cosmetic damage is not an option

For most everyday vehicles making the Texas to Florida run, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. The route is well-traveled and our carriers are experienced and vetted.

Still 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 Texas to Florida. This is the most convenient way to ship your car — no need to drop it off at a terminal or drive out of your way.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Texas and your delivery address in Florida. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your vehicle as close to your door as safely possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If your street is difficult to access, your driver will coordinate with you to find a nearby alternative — like a parking lot or gas station just around the corner. This is very common and nothing to worry about.

The bottom line: Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. Whether you’re in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin and heading to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville, Sherpa makes the process simple and stress-free from start to finish.

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!