Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We’re a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from Los Angeles to Tampa is simple. Here’s what you need to do:

Clean your car inside and out. This helps you document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Remove personal items. Take out toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Most carriers don’t allow personal belongings, and they’re not covered by insurance.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues. Your car should be in running condition. Fix any fluid leaks before transit.

Disable alarms. Car alarms can drain your battery during the 5-7 day trip across the country.

Keep gas at 1/4 tank or less. This reduces weight and meets safety requirements.

Remove or secure loose parts. Take off custom spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could get damaged.

Have a spare key ready. The driver will need it to load and unload your vehicle.

For a complete checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Taking these steps ensures a smooth shipping experience from the West Coast to Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Los Angeles, CA to Tampa, FL. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all our carriers to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your cross-country shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is both valid and in good standing. This protection covers your vehicle for the entire 2,500-mile journey from Los Angeles to Tampa.

What you should know:

• You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before pickup
• Coverage is active from the moment your vehicle is loaded until delivery
• Any damage during transit is covered under the carrier’s cargo insurance

We recommend documenting your vehicle’s condition with photos before shipping. This helps ensure a smooth claims process if needed, though damage during transport is rare with our vetted carriers.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping from Los Angeles to Tampa at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better carrier availability: Los Angeles is a major shipping hub, so carriers are active in the area. More advance notice means more carriers can bid on your shipment.
• Lower costs: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with others heading to Florida, which often results in better rates.
• Flexible pickup dates: You’ll have more options to choose dates that work for your schedule.

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickups within 2-5 days, though this may cost more. For the cross-country route from LA to Tampa (approximately 2,500 miles), transit typically takes 5-7 days once your vehicle is picked up.

Bottom line: Book as soon as you know your moving dates. This gives carriers time to plan efficient routes and gives you the best chance at competitive pricing.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. 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 Los Angeles to Tampa, you’ll choose between two main transport methods:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle rides on an open-air carrier (the same trucks you see hauling cars on highways). It’s exposed to weather and road debris during the 2,500-mile journey, but millions of cars ship this way safely every year. This method typically costs 40-60% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed Auto Transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. Your car stays shielded from weather, dust, and road debris throughout the cross-country trip. This option costs significantly more—usually 50-80% higher than open transport.

Which should you choose? Most people shipping standard vehicles choose open transport—it’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint work where even minor chips or dust could be costly. For a regular daily driver, open transport offers excellent value for the LA to Tampa route.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Los Angeles, CA to Tampa, FL. This is our standard service and the most convenient option for shipping your vehicle across the country.

Here’s how it works: When you book with Sakaem Logistics, you provide us with your preferred pickup address in Los Angeles and your delivery address in Tampa. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location to pick up your vehicle and deliver it right to your door at the destination.

In most cases, we can service residential addresses, business locations, and other specified addresses without any issues. However, if your location has restrictions—such as narrow streets, low-hanging trees, weight limits, or HOA rules that prohibit large trucks—our carrier will contact you to arrange a safe, nearby meeting spot. This is usually a public parking lot, shopping center, or gas station within a few miles of your address.

Why choose door-to-door service? It saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange additional transportation. The carrier handles the logistics while you focus on your move from Los Angeles to Tampa.

Have questions about whether your specific address can be serviced? Our team is happy to help. Just reach out when you’re ready to get a quote.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don’t run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics’ FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!