Michigan to Florida Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,408 miles from Michigan to Florida ranges from $1,087 to $1,540 and takes three–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida to Michigan car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Michigan to Florida car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Michigan to Florida:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Michigan
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Michigan can deliver your vehicle to Florida:
- Detroit Auto Shipping Group: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- First Choice Of Elkhart Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Great Lakes Logistics Llc: 3.64 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Florida
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Michigan to Florida, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,408 miles to your car on the trip from Michigan to Florida. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Michigan to Florida for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Michigan to Florida auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Michigan and Florida. The average journey covers about 1,408 miles and takes roughly three to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Jacksonville, FL | $778 – $1,283 | 1,014 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Miami, FL | $971 – $1,511 | 1,386 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Tampa, FL | $839 – $1,326 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Orlando, FL | $856 – $1,394 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | $924 – $1,386 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI to Jacksonville, FL | $908 – $1,286 | 1,135 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Miami, FL | $1,035 – $1,525 | 1,456 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Tampa, FL | $887 – $1,400 | 1,244 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Orlando, FL | $896 – $1,457 | 1,228 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | $980 – $1,386 | 1,267 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, MI to Jacksonville, FL | $810 – $1,308 | 1,024 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Miami, FL | $1,035 – $1,540 | 1,404 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Tampa, FL | $899 – $1,286 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Orlando, FL | $899 – $1,394 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | $915 – $1,443 | 1,218 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Heights, MI to Jacksonville, FL | $826 – $1,219 | 1,019 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Miami, FL | $1,003 – $1,571 | 1,407 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Tampa, FL | $908 – $1,313 | 1,198 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Orlando, FL | $908 – $1,353 | 1,181 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | $962 – $1,415 | 1,221 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Florida
| From Michigan to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI to Jacksonville, FL | $789 – $1,249 | 993 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Miami, FL | $951 – $1,466 | 1,373 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tampa, FL | $864 – $1,313 | 1,164 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Orlando, FL | $821 – $1,340 | 1,147 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to St. Petersburg, FL | $873 – $1,421 | 1,187 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Florida
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 $1,359 and $1,925.
Factors that affect car shipping costs 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: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Michigan to Florida.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Michigan to Florida involves roughly 1,408 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Michigan more expensive during these times.
- 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 three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Florida vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Florida, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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
More than 10.0 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 22.6 million people are living in the Sunshine State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Michigan and delivery in Florida?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age 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.
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 1,408 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight 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.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Florida is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
Shipping a car from Michigan to Florida costs $1,087 to $1,540.
100 Riverfront Dr Suite 2610, Detroit, MI 48226 US
10888 Us Highway 12, White Pigeon, MI 49099 US
2900 Miller Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120 US
7262 Lansing Rd, Dimondale, MI 48821 US
9338 Harrison Rd, Romulus, MI 48174 US