Ship A Car From California To Florida (and vice-versa) – The Ultimate Guide

Do you want to ship a car from California to Florida or vice-versa? Don’t know how to begin? Which is the cheapest way to ship a car to another state? If you’re wondering about all such questions, then you’ve come to the right place at the right time. This blog post will help you know pretty much everything under the sun regarding shipping a car from Florida to California (vice-versa). Let’s get moving!

Different Ways to Ship a Car from California to Florida (and vice-versa)

The distance between California and Florida is approximately 2300 miles, which translates into 40+ hours of non-stop drive. As you can understand, it’s not a reasonable option. 

Alternative methods to ship a car from California to Florida (and vice-versa) are hiring a driver, asking a family member or friend to drive it, or flying it in a plane. But one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods is to use auto transport services from California to Florida (and vice versa).

Let’s understand each option you have at your disposal.

Drive yourself

As we just discussed, the distance between California and Florida is 2300 miles, which is a lot. On average, a person can drive a maximum of 250 miles every day without straining themselves. This means it will take 9 to 10 days to reach your destination.

Apart from such a big investment of your time, you will need to spend on food and accommodation along the way. Plus, it will increase wear and tear on your car. 

Considering it all, driving yourself is not a wise option unless you’re in the mood for a 10-day long road trip.

Hire a driver

You can hire a professional company or individual driver to drive your car. Many times, these drivers are students or retirees who need extra income.

The upside is that you get a personal service and can even bring extra luggage.

On the other hand, hiring a driver can be very costly. Your car will still be in use, so you may need additional insurance for the driver. Even if you’re okay with it all, you will need to find a trustworthy driver, which is a difficult task.

Ask a friend or family member to drive

An alternative to hiring an unknown driver is to have your friend or family member drive it for you. This way, you won’t have to worry about reliability as you know the person behind the wheels. You can also stuff the car with extra luggage and maybe ride along.

However, you’ll have to take care of their food and accommodation expenses. Plus, your car will travel a great distance, which is bound to increase wear and tear. 

If you decide to go with this option, you must check the driving ability of your friend or family member. After all, it’s what matters the most.

Ship it by a plane

Another option you have at your disposal is to ship your car by plane. Although it’s an option most preferred to ship internationally, you can opt for it if you want to ship your vehicle in a blazing-fast way. The cost, as you would expect, is quite high. In most cases, it exceeds the value of the vehicle. 

Hire a car moving company 

The fifth and the most preferred option is to use an auto transport service to ship a car from California to Florida (and vice-versa). They offer unmatched reliability and value for money. 

Car shipping services can organize everything from finding a car carrier to getting your car delivered outside your home. They have access to an extensive network of reliable, trustworthy, insured carriers that are fully vetted and trusted so that you don’t have to go through any unnecessary stress.

Another reason this is a wise choice is the excellent customer service they provide. They do everything possible to ensure that your car is shipped smoothly and keep you updated with the progress of your shipment. They’ll act as the liaison between you and the carrier and handle all issues professionally. 

Types of auto transport services for ship a car from California to Florida (and vice-versa)

Many people moving from California to Florida (and vice-versa) aren’t aware that there are two ways to ship a car from California to Texas: open car shipping (or to California) and enclosed car shipping. This plays a crucial role in determining the cost of moving your car. 

Open car shipping 

Open car shipping, like its name suggests, is when your vehicle is loaded onto an open shipping truck. Because the truck is open, it may expose the car and cargo to the elements. However, if you ever saw Tesla cars or for that matter any new car manufacturer shipping their vehicles in open transport. This is the most popular form of transport and has the most availability of transport options. Therefore your car can be expediently and safely shipped in this mode of transport. This shipping method allows for multiple cars to be shipped on one truck.

Enclosed car shipping

As the car is kept inside an enclosed truck, this shipping mode protects it against the elements. Although your car is still loaded on a rack, it’s protected by the truck container. 

Enclosed car shipping is expensive as you’re paying for the security. This method is often preferred by owners of antique, rare, or expensive cars. You will need to pay 30-40% extra if you want to go with this option.

How much to ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa)?

Unfortunately, we don’t have a ball-park figure to give you the cost to ship a car from California to Florida (and vice-versa). That’s because it depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Distance: The distance between both ends is the most important factor. The more distance between the end-points, then the higher the shipping cost. We want to stress that we refer to the distance between pick-up/delivery locations and not between two states. Therefore, if you require a shipping company to pick up or deliver in a far-flung location, you will need to spend more.
• Shipping type: Whether you choose open car shipping or enclosed car shipping.
• Vehicle: The make, model, and year of your car play a role in determining the cost to ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa). For instance, you’ll need to pay more to ship an SUV than a hatchback.
• State of vehicle: Whether your car is in running condition or not. In the latter case, they’ll have to hitch your car to a truck, resulting in higher costs.
• Route: Shipping vehicles on popular routes cuts down the cost and vice-versa.
• Gas price: The rise and fall in fuel prices greatly impact shipping a car from California to Florida (and vice-versa).
• Time of the year: Shipping costs are less when demand is higher (e.g., in Summers) and vice-versa.

If you want to know the exact cost, you can use our blazing-fast quote calculator. Or even better, you could give us a call or drop a simple email? 

Here’s are some tips to save some money:

• Book well in advance
• Ask for any discounts 
• Select the right time to ship
• Ship multiple cars at a time
• Choose the right shipping mode
• Ensure the car is in good condition

How long does it take to ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa)?

We can divide the time for auto transportation from California to Florida into two different times: time to pick up and drive.

First, it’s how long it takes for the carrier to arrive to pick up the car. The industry standard is between one- and five business working days. The second factor is the time taken for the truck driver to drive from California to Florida (or vice-versa). Most drivers working for reliable auto transport companies can cover several hundred miles in one day. Thus, it’ll take around 8-10 days between California and Florida.

Apart from these two, some small factors play a major role at times:

• The number of stops that the carrier has
• The traffic flow
• Weather conditions
• Detours
• Road construction
• Heavy traffic
• The pick-up/delivery locations 

How does the process of ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa) work?

The process of shipping a car from California to Florida (ance vice-versa) is a pretty straightforward one. It involved four easy steps.

You don’t have to do anything. It only takes a few mouse clicks and less than 10 minutes.

Step 1 – Get a Quote

Once you have narrowed down shipping companies to contact, they will be happy to provide a quote. Many of them will give you an immediate quote through their website. This is usually based upon the car’s dimensions and its make and type, along with your choice of shipping method. 

Consider getting at least three quotations. Then compare them to identify the one that suits your budget and requirements. Always be on the lookout for hidden costs like insurance fees or weather surcharges.

Step 2 – Place order

After getting quotes and finalizing shipping, it’s finally time to get your car moving. Now it’s time to confirm your car shipment from Florida to California (or vice-versa). It’s a straightforward process. Make sure to confirm specifications with the shipping company before you send. This will avoid any confusion or unwanted fees.

Step 3 – Pick up

Once you’ve confirmed your order, the driver will come to pick up your vehicle at the given time. You can expect to be contacted before a few hours to confirm your arrangements. With the help of the driver, you must inspect the vehicle before it leaves your place. Once all paperwork is completed, the driver will load the vehicle onto the trailer, and its journey will begin.

Step 4: Delivery

You will be contacted by the carrier when they’re close to your delivery location. This is to confirm that you are available to pick up your vehicle. You must inspect your vehicle before the carrier arrives. Then, sign the Bill of Lading (BoL) to acknowledge the delivery.

How to get a quote to ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa)?

Needless to say, the car shipping cost will be a major deciding factor for you. That’s why we suggest you get at least three quotations from car shipping companies and compare them to find the best one for you.

Each transport quote that you get will be different. This is why it’s important to pay attention to each one. Verify that all information is accurate. Only then you can be certain you get accurate quotes for car shipping. Some companies charge additional fees while others offer an all-encompassing price, so make sure you check that as well.

Most car shipping companies offer instant online quotations to make this process much easier and faster for you. 

Below is the information you’ll need to provide to get online quotations:

• Pick-up and Delivery Locations (zip code).
• Mode of shipping (open/enclosed)
• Vehicle details such as company, model, manufacturing year, etc.
• First available pick-up date
• Phone number and email address

Once you’ve provided the details, it will take a few seconds for the website to generate a customized quotation. You will receive it in your email as well. 

Here’s what a typical car shipping quotation will include:

• Shipping cost
• Your vehicle details
• The pick-up location and the delivery address
• Car condition
• Type of service: open or closed
• First shipping date
• Distance to be traveled
• Timeframe for delivery

How to find the best auto transport company to ship my car?

Everyone wants their car to be shipped as safely as possible. A lot of this depends on the car shipping company. Here are the things you should be looking for in a company, besides shipping costs.

• License & Insurance: A company must be licensed to provide inter-state shipping services. You can verify the license by visiting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator website and verifying its US DOT #.
• BBB Rating: The Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) rating is used to accredit companies and allows people to determine if they are approved.
• Customer Testimonials: It is good to look online for company reviews on Google and other neutral sites. This will allow you to determine the trustworthiness of a company.
• Experience: It’s always best to provide car shipping services that have been proven effective. While it may be more costly, you can rest assured that the company is reliable because they have been doing this for years.

FAQs regarding ship a car from Florida to California (and vice-versa)

Do I need to do anything to get my car transport ready? 

Yes, you’ll need to do a few things to prepare your vehicle for shipping. Here’s what you need to do:

• Remove all documents and personal items from your car
• Keep only one-fourth of the fuel in your car
• Make sure that your car’s batteries are charged and working.
• You should make sure your tires are in top shape
• Take out the batteries only if the shipping agency asks you.

What is Bill of Lading, and why is it used?

A bill of lading (BoL) contains all details about the vehicle, including make, model, any existing damage to the car, terms and conditions, etc. It is used to provide transparency to both parties.

How can I pay for shipping?

Almost all major car shipping companies have the most common payment methods, such as credit cards and debit cards. Some companies even accept PayPal payments.

Which Documents do You Need to Prepare to Ship Your Car?

You will need the following documents to ship your car from Florida to California (and vice-versa):

• Vehicle registration information
• Insurance documents
• Bill of sale / Bill of landing
• Original vehicle title
• Your unexpired identification (i.e., driver’s license or passport)

What is a top-load service?

Top load service means that your car is placed at the top of the truck. It helps to protect your vehicle from dirt, rocks, and any other debris the driver might come across while transporting your car. The cost of shipping a car to Florida from California will go up, but top load service will give your vehicle extra security as it moves across the country.

Pros and cons of moving to Florida

Going by the census data, Florida is one of the most popular states regarding interstate moving. Known for its temperate climate, stunning beaches, and being the home of Disneyland, Florida is a beautiful place to live. 

The COVID-19 pandemic increased its popularity, and as a result, many people are moving to the Sunshine state. As per Jimmy Patronis, Florida CFO, more than 900 people move to Florida every day. Many believe it’s down to the tax benefits, but the state has a lot to offer.

But before you decide to move to Florida, you must be aware of its pros and cons. Let’s see the former first:

It’s ‘sunshine’ state: 

When you’re in Florida, you get to enjoy Summer almost throughout the year. It means you will no longer need to stay inside during the winter. The Sunshine State receives an average of more than 200 sunny days each year. Even in winter, temperatures average between the 60s-70s. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or hot, there’s plenty of sunshine.

No income tax

Florida is a state that doesn’t collect individual taxes. This is a part of its constitution, and it’s not likely that it will change in the foreseeable future. This is one of the biggest incentives to move to the sunshine state. 

Low cost of living

Apart from areas like Miami, Florida generally offers a low cost of living. The costs of goods, services, housing, and healthcare run below the national average. The average home cost in Florida is $348,732, which is less than 50% of expensive states like New York.

Economic opportunities

Florida offers you attractive economic opportunities. In fact, it has one of the strongest economies in the country. Industries like tourism, financial services, and aviation are the most notable industries.

Diversity & friendliness

Florida is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country. The people are quite friendly, and you’ll feel welcome here whether you are an African American, Asian, Puerto Rican, or Australian. 

Now let’s see some of the disadvantages of moving to Florida:

Extreme weather conditions

The sunshine state is also prone to extreme weather conditions like heat waves and thunderstorms. The summers are hot, and the temperature reaches the 90s between June and August. 

Heavy traffic

Due to the constant population growth, the state witnesses heavy traffic on roads. The state’s limited public travel options make it even worse.

High crime rate

Increased crime rate is another harmful effect of urbanization. The crime rate is higher than the national average.

High sales tax & fees

Although you do not have to pay individual taxes, Florida’s sales tax is one of the highest in the country. It is also high in fees such as vehicle registration, license renewal, etc.

Dangerous wildlife 

The number of mosquitoes and biting midges and bees, bees, and wasps is high in Florida. Florida is home to 40 species of snakes. Last but not least, we must not forget about alligators as they are found everywhere in Florida.

Pros and cons of moving to California

California is the most populated state in the United States, and it’s down to many reasons. Located on the pacific ocean coast, the ‘Golden State’ is one of the states that is as close to ‘perfect’ as it gets. However, there are some downsides to it as well. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of moving to California.

Beautiful weather

With 260+ sunny days throughout the year, California offers you warm and pleasant weather. During winters, the highest temperature touches 70 and reaches around 80-85 in the summer. You’ll realize how good it’s not to have a cloud hanging over your head all the time.

People

California is known for being open-minded and tolerant, which contrasts to other states in the southern US. The cities are home to a younger population and welcome people from all genders, orientations, and ethnicities.

Massive economic opportunities

The golden state has a thriving economy, and it’s reflected in numbers. With a per capita income of $66,661, California ranks the fifth highest in the country. The state has many big cities that encompass various industries.

Beauty of nature

If you’re a nature lover, you’re going to love it in California. It is home to nine national parks, the highest in the country. No matter where you are in the state, you’re never far away from mountains, beaches, parks, or forests. 

Now let’s look at the few downsides the golden state has.

Wildfires

Wildfires have been a common occurrence in Florida. In fact, it has seen the highest number of fires over the past few years. Every summer brings a sense of danger to every Californian.

High tax

It’s no surprise that California ranks near the top as far as income tax is concerned. With the tax rate going as high as 12.3% for the top income bracket, you’ll need to pay a good amount of money in taxes in California.

Summer heat

The sun is one of the major plus points of California, but it can get too much in Summers if you’re living further away from the coast. It can touch 95 to 100 degrees on certain days. 

High living cost

It’s no news that California is an expensive state to live in. The average house cost in the golden state is $745,200, which is higher than most states.

Our two cents

We hope this article has answered all the queries you had about shipping a car from Florida to California. You might be concerned about making the expense, but you need to see it as an investment to protect the value of your car. Thus, don’t think much about hiring a car shipping service and enjoy a stress-free move!

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