Route guide · FL → CA
Shipping a car from Florida to California
Shipping a running sedan from Miami to Los Angeles costs about $1,400–$1,975 on an open carrier and $2,075–$2,975 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #40 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,700
- Road miles
- 2,770
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 17.6K
- Companies at both ends
- 340
City to city
What it costs between Florida and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,460 to 3,090 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1253,090 mi · 7–11 days | $1,350–$1,9502,670 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days |
| Orlando | $1,350–$1,9252,620 mi · 6–9 days | $1,450–$2,0502,930 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days |
| Jacksonville | $1,325–$1,8752,540 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0252,840 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8502,460 mi · 5–9 days | $1,400–$1,9752,760 mi · 6–10 days |
| Tampa | $1,325–$1,9002,550 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0252,860 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8502,460 mi · 5–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,780 mi · 6–10 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Miami to Los Angeles, 2,770 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,400–$1,975 | $2,075–$2,975 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,550–$2,225 | $2,325–$3,350 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,750–$2,475 | $2,600–$3,725 |
| Pickup truck | $1,800–$2,575 | $2,700–$3,875 |
| Motorcycle | $825–$1,200 | $1,250–$1,800 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Florida to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,700 Peak: about $1,825
About this route
Why so many cars go from Florida to California
About 17,569 people moved from Florida to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (19,149 in 2023, 15,988 in 2024). That is 3.5% of everyone who left Florida for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 37,623 people a year move California to Florida. Carriers that bring cars into Florida need loads back toward California, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,700, shipping from Florida to California costs more than sending a car to Nevada ($1,625) and Arizona ($1,525) but less than to Washington ($1,850). That works out to about 61¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 6–10 days on the truck for the 2,770 road miles from Miami to Los Angeles — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads west-northwest and crosses 3 time zones — from Eastern to Pacific time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
- Hurricane season (June–November) occasionally delays Gulf and Atlantic coast deliveries; carriers will reschedule rather than drive into a storm.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Florida and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Florida
218 companies based in Florida: 187 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,227 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Centurion Auto Transport Jacksonville · 239 trucks · since 1992 · USDOT 471614
- Vision Auto Transport Inc Miami · 95 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2257988
- Masney Auto Transport Inc Winter Garden · 89 trucks · since 1988 · USDOT 326786
- Cfy Auto Transport Corp Miami · 50 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2841696
- Auto Carrier Express Inc Jacksonville · 48 trucks · since 1998 · USDOT 766895
Delivery end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Florida? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Florida to states near California
To California from states near Florida
FAQ
Florida to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Florida to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,400–$1,975 from Miami to Los Angeles (2,770 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,300–$2,125. An SUV costs about $1,550–$2,225, a pickup $1,800–$2,575, and an enclosed trailer $2,075–$2,975 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Florida to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,770-mile trip from Miami to Los Angeles. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Florida to California?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Florida to California?
Driving 2,770 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $350 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,400–$1,975. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Florida to California?
Our directory lists 218 companies based in Florida and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.