Washington to Florida Car Shipping

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

• Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to spot and document before pickup.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of all sides of your car. This protects you if any damage occurs during the long haul from Washington to Florida.
• Remove personal items: Clear out all personal belongings. Auto transport carriers are not licensed to ship household goods, and items left inside are not covered by insurance.
• Remove toll passes and parking tags: Devices like E-ZPass or SunPass can accidentally scan and charge you while the car is on the carrier.
• Check your fluid levels and tire pressure: Make sure there are no active leaks. Your car needs to be in drivable condition for loading and unloading.
• Keep the fuel tank low: Leave only about a quarter tank of gas. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the carrier.
• Disable alarms: An alarm that goes off during transit can be a major hassle for your driver. Disable it or provide clear instructions on how to turn it off.
• Remove exterior accessories: Take off spoilers, bike racks, or any custom accessories that could be damaged or cause clearance issues on the carrier.
• Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with at least one working key for loading and unloading.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little prep goes a long way in making your Washington to Florida car shipment stress-free!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Washington 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 Washington, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We don’t just take their word for it — all contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy.

This means you have an added layer of protection for the entire duration of your shipment, from pickup in Washington all the way to delivery in Florida.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Our quotes are all-inclusive — there are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
• A thorough inspection report is completed at both pickup and delivery, so any damage is clearly documented.
• If you have concerns about additional coverage, check with your personal auto insurance provider, as many policies extend coverage during transport.

Have more questions? Contact our team — we’re happy to walk you through the process before you book your shipment.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your Washington to Florida car shipment at least 2 weeks in advance. Here’s why timing matters:

• Peak seasons are busy. Summer months and holidays see high demand for auto transport on this route. Booking early helps you lock in better rates and availability.
• Carriers bundle shipments. The earlier you post your order, the more likely a carrier can group your vehicle with others heading from Washington to Florida — keeping costs down for everyone.
• Flexibility saves money. If your schedule allows a pickup window of 3–5 days rather than a single date, carriers can plan more efficiently, which may lower your rate.

That said, last-minute shipments are sometimes possible. If you’re in a time crunch, contact Sherpa Auto Transport right away and we’ll do our best to find a carrier quickly. Just keep in mind that expedited shipping may come at a higher cost.

Bottom line: Book as early as you can — ideally 2 to 4 weeks out — for the smoothest, most affordable experience.

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 Washington 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 alongside other cars — the same way most new cars are delivered to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most everyday vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more, but offers extra protection inside a fully covered trailer. It’s the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or antique car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

On a long haul like Washington to Florida, open transport is the go-to for most customers. But if your vehicle has high value or sentimental worth, the added peace of mind from enclosed shipping is well worth the cost.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our open vs. enclosed auto transport guide for a full breakdown.

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

Here’s how it works:

• At booking, you provide your preferred pickup address in Washington and your delivery address in Florida.
• Your assigned carrier will come directly to your specified locations to pick up and drop off your vehicle.
• If needed, the carrier will work with you to find a nearby alternative — such as a parking lot or gas station — if your street has low-clearance obstacles, narrow roads, or other access challenges for large transport trucks.

The Washington-to-Florida route is one of the most popular car shipping corridors in the country, so carriers run it frequently. That means faster pickup times and more scheduling flexibility for you.

Ready to get started? Get a free, instant quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and let us handle the drive so you don’t have to.

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!