Michigan to Florida Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,384 miles from Michigan to Florida ranges from $1,297 to $1,922 and takes 3–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Florida auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Florida. The average travel distance is about 1,384 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | 1,007 miles | $1,039–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | 1,386 miles | $1,285–$1,828 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | 1,177 miles | $1,046–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Orlando, FL | 1,161 miles | $1,056–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
| Flint, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,200 miles | $1,187–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | 1,134 miles | $1,132–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | 1,451 miles | $1,251–$1,882 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | 1,244 miles | $1,141–$1,693 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Orlando, FL | 1,227 miles | $1,106–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
| Flint, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,267 miles | $1,152–$1,853 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | 993 miles | $974–$1,510 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | 1,371 miles | $1,186–$1,866 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | 1,164 miles | $1,110–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Orlando, FL | 1,147 miles | $1,067–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
| Flint, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,187 miles | $1,035–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | 1,065 miles | $970–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | 1,438 miles | $1,330–$2,018 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | 1,235 miles | $1,187–$1,871 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Orlando, FL | 1,218 miles | $1,117–$1,728 | 2–8 days |
| Flint, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,258 miles | $1,164–$1,764 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | 1,048 miles | $990–$1,584 | 2–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | 1,426 miles | $1,316–$1,901 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | 1,219 miles | $1,187–$1,817 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Orlando, FL | 1,202 miles | $1,117–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Flint, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,242 miles | $1,199–$1,746 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Florida
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Michigan to Florida you should expect to pay between $1,621 and $2,403.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Florida
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Sunshine State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Florida.
- Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Florida spans approximately 1,384 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Michigan, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Michigan and Florida and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Michigan to Florida should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Florida car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan to Florida:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Florida
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,384 miles on your car going from Michigan to Florida. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Michigan to Florida for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Florida?
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
Transporting your vehicle to Florida
About 22 million people are living in the Sunshine State of Florida. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Florida?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, which you should verify before loading your car in Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Florida is about 1384 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Michigan to Florida.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Michigan to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
