Winter
Snowbirds arrive
December and January are peak months for shipping into Miami. Shipping north is usually cheaper.
Shipping a car down for the winter, out of a Brickell high-rise, or north to New York in the spring. Miami is the end of I-95 and the heart of snowbird car shipping. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.
Shipping a standard sedan from Miami costs about $650–$1,725 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Miami to New York runs about $900–$1,125 (3–5 days), and Miami to Los Angeles about $1,350–$1,725 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
Miami ranges from easy suburban streets to high-rise towers with valet-only garages. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
Most towers have low garage clearance, valet-only parking or loading docks you have to book. Carriers usually meet condo residents at a nearby lot or a booked loading area.
Towers, one-way streets and heavy traffic make door pickups hard. Carriers usually meet Downtown and Brickell residents at a lot near I-95 or a booked loading dock.
Tip: Ask your building manager about loading dock times before you book the carrier.
Miami Beach streets are narrow, parking is scarce and causeway traffic is heavy. Carriers almost always meet beach residents on the mainland.
Tip: Weekend and event traffic on the causeways can be brutal; book a weekday morning pickup.
Tree canopies, narrow streets and strict local rules slow pickups. Main roads like US-1 are usually the best place to meet.
Tip: Low tree branches can block a tall carrier on side streets; meet on a main road.
Doral and the area around Miami International are full of warehouses and trucks, making them some of the easiest pickup spots in South Florida.
Tip: If you live in a tower, Doral is often the fastest meeting point.
Kendall, Homestead and Cutler Bay are suburban with Turnpike access. Door pickups are common.
Tip: Homestead Air Reserve Base members should share base access details when booking.
Hialeah and Miami Lakes have wide roads and quick access to I-75, the Palmetto and the Turnpike.
Tip: Loads headed up the Gulf Coast or to Atlanta often leave on I-75 from here.
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pembroke Pines are a short drive north and well served by I-95, I-595 and the Turnpike.
Tip: Beachfront condos in Fort Lauderdale have the same garage issues as Miami; plan a meeting point.
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Miami move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
Explore Full ServiceSee FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving Miami, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
Compare companiesPaste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $650–$1,725 market range.
Run Red Flag CheckerTrucks into Miami fill up from October to January, and trucks out fill up from March to May. Shipping the other way in those months is often cheaper.
From June to November, storms can delay pickups for days. Summer is usually the cheapest time to ship, if you can stay flexible.
PortMiami and Port Everglades handle vehicle shipments to the Caribbean and Latin America. Domestic carriers don't need the port.
Florida requires new residents to register within 10 days of starting work or enrolling children in school, and out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification.
Most Miami expressways and the Turnpike are cashless. Remove your SunPass so it doesn't register charges while the car is on the truck.
Miami is where the East Coast's main trucking corridor ends. Most loads run up and down I-95 and the Turnpike, so northbound and southbound trucks are plentiful.
Snowbird traffic is the biggest factor in Miami car shipping prices.
Snowbirds arrive
December and January are peak months for shipping into Miami. Shipping north is usually cheaper.
Snowbirds head north
March to May is the busiest time to ship out of Miami. Book early for spring departures.
Cheapest, watch the storms
Summer is usually the cheapest time to ship, but hurricane season begins in June.
Rush south begins
October and November bring a wave of snowbird cars into South Florida.
Confirm current rules with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Things Miamians forget before the truck arrives.
Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.
Shipping a standard sedan from Miami costs about $650–$1,725 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Miami to New York runs about $900–$1,125 (3–5 days), and Miami to Los Angeles about $1,350–$1,725 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
About $900–$1,125 on an open carrier, taking 3–5 days after pickup. Prices peak from March to May, when snowbirds head north.
Summer and early fall are usually cheapest for shipping into Miami. October to January is the most expensive, because snowbird cars are arriving.
Usually not from the garage itself, because most garages are too low for a carrier. Book your building's loading dock or meet the truck at a nearby lot.
It can. From June to November, storms can close roads and delay pickups for days. Keep your dates flexible and watch the forecast.
Florida requires new residents to register within 10 days of starting work, enrolling children in school or establishing residency. Out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification first.
The Auto Train runs between Sanford, Florida, near Orlando, and Lorton, Virginia. Sanford is about 230 miles north of Miami, so you'd drive that part first.
About 2–4 days to Atlanta, 3–5 days to New York and 6–9 days to Los Angeles after pickup. Add 1–4 days for scheduling, longer in peak season.
How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV); truck route rules from Miami-Dade County transportation information.