Dec–Feb
Winter
Cheapest, with weather delays
January and February are usually the cheapest months, but nor'easters can delay pickups for a day or two.
Car Shipping in New York City
Shipping a car out of Manhattan, into Brooklyn or Queens, or south to Florida for the winter. New York is one of the biggest car shipping markets in the country, and one of the hardest places for a car carrier to reach. Here's what it costs and where trucks can actually meet you.
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York City?
Shipping a standard sedan from New York City costs about $400–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. New York City to Florida runs about $825–$1,125 (2–5 days), and New York City to Los Angeles about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Pickup: most carriers meet NYC customers at a truck-friendly spot near an interstate rather than at the door.
- Cheapest months: January and February. Southbound prices peak October to December.
- Main truck routes: I-95 and the New Jersey Turnpike, I-278, I-495 and I-87.
Pickup and delivery
Where car carriers can meet you in New York
A loaded car carrier is up to about 80 feet long, so where you live in the metro area decides how easy pickup is. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
Car carriers can't use New York's parkways
Commercial vehicles, including car carriers, are banned from the city's parkways and from much of Manhattan's riverside drives. Carriers stick to interstates and truck routes, so plan your pickup near one.
FDR DriveHenry Hudson PkwyBelt PkwyGrand Central PkwyCross Island PkwyBronx River PkwyHutchinson River PkwyNorthern & Southern State Pkwys
Manhattan
Truck access: Hard for trucksMost Manhattan streets are too narrow and too busy for a full car carrier, and loading on a city street is rarely practical. Carriers usually meet Manhattan customers just outside the island, or move the car to the truck with a smaller vehicle first.
Truck routes
- George Washington Bridge to New Jersey
- NJ 495Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel to Queens
- Major Deegan via the Bronx
Good meeting spots
- A lot on the New Jersey side of the GWB or Lincoln Tunnel
- Large parking areas in the South Bronx near I-87
- Ask Full Service to arrange the meeting point for you
Tip: Agree on the exact meeting spot and time in writing before pickup day, and budget for parking or a short drive to get there.
Brooklyn
Truck access: ModerateCarriers can reach Brooklyn on I-278 (the BQE and Gowanus Expressway), but brownstone blocks and tight residential streets make door pickups slow. Meeting near the expressway is usually faster and cheaper.
Truck routes
- BQE and Gowanus Expressway
- Verrazzano Bridge to Staten Island
Good meeting spots
- Big-box store lots along I-278
- Industrial areas near the Gowanus and the waterfront
Tip: Fort Hamilton service members should give the carrier their report date and base access details when they book.
Queens
Truck access: ModerateQueens has the most interstate access of any borough, with I-495, I-678 and I-278 all running through it. Neighborhoods near the expressways and the airports are usually easy for carriers.
Truck routes
- Long Island Expressway
- Van Wyck and Whitestone Expressways
- BQE to the Triborough Bridge
Good meeting spots
- Retail parking areas along the LIE
- Lots near JFK and LaGuardia (not terminal roads)
Tip: Avoid booking pickups during airport rush hours; the Van Wyck is often gridlocked from late afternoon.
The Bronx
Truck access: ModerateThe Bronx sits on I-95, I-87 and I-278, so trucks pass through constantly. Industrial areas like Hunts Point are some of the easiest spots in the city to load a car.
Truck routes
- Cross Bronx Expressway
- Major Deegan Expressway
- Bruckner Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Industrial and wholesale areas near Hunts Point
- Large retail lots along I-87 and I-95
Tip: The Cross Bronx Expressway is one of the slowest roads in the region; early-morning pickups save hours.
Staten Island
Truck access: EasyStaten Island is the most truck-friendly borough, with wider suburban streets and I-278 running straight across to New Jersey. Many door pickups are possible here.
Truck routes
- Staten Island Expressway
- NY 440West Shore Expressway to New Jersey
Good meeting spots
- Your home, if the street has room for a long truck
- Retail lots near the Goethals Bridge
Tip: Bridge tolls are built into carrier pricing, so pickups on the Staten Island side can be slightly cheaper for southbound loads.
Long Island
Truck access: EasyNassau and Suffolk counties are suburban and generally easy for carriers, as long as you're near the Long Island Expressway. The Northern and Southern State Parkways are off-limits to trucks.
Truck routes
- Long Island Expressway
- Connects to I-278 and I-678 in Queens
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in many neighborhoods
- Shopping center lots near LIE exits
Tip: Many Long Island snowbirds ship to Florida in the fall; book by September to beat the rush.
Westchester
Truck access: EasyWestchester is well served by I-87, I-95 and I-287, with plenty of suburban streets a carrier can reach. The Hutchinson River, Saw Mill and Taconic parkways are closed to trucks.
Truck routes
- New York State Thruway
- New England Thruway
- Cross Westchester Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most towns
- Office park and shopping center lots near I-287
Tip: If you live on a hill or a narrow lane, pick a lot near the nearest I-287 exit instead.
Northern New Jersey
Truck access: EasyMany carriers serving New York stage on the New Jersey side, where the Turnpike, I-78 and I-80 make loading easy. Meeting a truck in New Jersey is often the fastest option for Manhattan residents.
Truck routes
- New Jersey Turnpike
- To Pennsylvania and the West
- Cross-country route west
Good meeting spots
- Large retail lots near Turnpike exits
- Areas near Port Newark and the Meadowlands
Tip: If your car is in Manhattan, a short drive through the Lincoln Tunnel or across the GWB can cut days off the pickup window.
Prices
Car shipping prices to and from New York City
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Shipping from New York City
- New York City → Miami, FL
1,310 mi · 3–5 days$900–$1,125
Route guide → - New York City → Orlando, FL
1,130 mi · 2–4 days$825–$1,050
Route guide → - New York City → Los Angeles, CA
2,930 mi · 6–9 days$1,400–$1,775
Route guide → - New York City → Atlanta, GA
890 mi · 2–4 days$725–$925 - New York City → Chicago, IL
850 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - New York City → Charlotte, NC
640 mi · 1–3 days$600–$775 - New York City → Dallas, TX
1,640 mi · 3–6 days$1,000–$1,275 - New York City → Phoenix, AZ
2,570 mi · 5–8 days$1,300–$1,650
Shipping to New York City
- Miami, FL → New York City
1,310 mi · 3–5 days$900–$1,125
Route guide → - Tampa, FL → New York City
1,200 mi · 2–4 days$850–$1,075
Route guide → - Los Angeles, CA → New York City
2,930 mi · 6–9 days$1,400–$1,775
Route guide → - Houston, TX → New York City
1,700 mi · 4–7 days$1,025–$1,300 - Seattle, WA → New York City
2,880 mi · 6–9 days$1,375–$1,750 - Boston, MA → New York City
230 mi · 1–3 days$400–$500
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Book with confidence
Three ways to ship your car in New York City
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service
Let Transportvibe handle it
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your New York City move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
Explore Full ServiceCompare
Compare independent companies
See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving New York City, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
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Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $400–$1,775 market range.
Run Red Flag CheckerLocal know-how
What makes New York car shipping different
Pickup windows, not appointments
City traffic, bridges and tunnels make exact times hard. Most carriers give a pickup window of a few hours; a flexible meeting point usually gets you an earlier slot.
Tolls are in the price
Carriers pay some of the highest truck tolls in the country on New York's bridges and tunnels. That's one reason Manhattan pickups can cost more than New Jersey ones.
Winter and road salt
Nor'easters can delay pickups for a day or two between December and March, and road salt is hard on paint. Enclosed transport is worth it for classic or luxury cars in winter.
The snowbird rush
New York is one of the biggest sources of snowbird traffic to Florida. Southbound trucks fill up from October to December, and northbound trucks from March to May.
International shipping goes through New Jersey
Port Newark and Port Elizabeth handle most of the region's vehicle imports and exports. Domestic carriers don't need the port, but overseas shipments usually start there.
Military moves
Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and West Point and Fort Drum upstate bring regular PCS moves. Share your report date and base access details when you book.
Timing
Best time to ship a car in New York City
Snowbird traffic to and from Florida drives New York prices more than anything else.
Mar–May
Spring
Snowbirds head north
March to May brings cars back from Florida, so northbound trucks fill up. Southbound routes are cheaper.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Moving season
Summer moves and late-August college move-ins keep demand steady. Book two to three weeks ahead.
Sep–Nov
Fall
Snowbird rush south
October to December is the busiest time to ship from New York to Florida. Book early and expect higher prices.
Moving checklist
Moving to or from New York City with a car
Moving to New York City
Confirm current rules with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Register within 30 days of becoming a New York resident, through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Inspection: New York requires an annual safety inspection and an emissions inspection for most vehicles.
- Minimum insurance: Liability of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage, plus $50,000 in personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.
- Line up parking before the car arrives. Street parking in much of the city follows alternate-side rules, so a garage spot avoids tickets on day one.
Leaving New York City
Things New Yorkers forget before the truck arrives.
- Turn in your New York plates to the DMV before canceling your New York insurance. Canceling first can lead to a registration suspension.
- Remove your E-ZPass. It can register tolls on bridges and tunnels while the car is on the truck.
- Agree on a meeting point. Confirm a truck-friendly spot near an interstate in writing, especially if you live in Manhattan or brownstone Brooklyn.
- Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items and toll tags before pickup.
Ready to ship your car in New York City?
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.
Questions
New York City car shipping FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York City?
Shipping a standard sedan from New York City costs about $400–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. New York City to Florida runs about $825–$1,125 (2–5 days), and New York City to Los Angeles about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
Can a car carrier pick up my car in Manhattan?
Rarely at your door. Most Manhattan streets are too narrow and busy for a full car carrier, and commercial vehicles are banned from the FDR Drive and Henry Hudson Parkway. Carriers usually meet Manhattan customers in New Jersey, the Bronx or Queens near an interstate.
How long does it take to ship a car from New York?
After pickup, transit takes about 1–3 days within the Northeast, 3–5 days to Miami and 6–9 days to Los Angeles. Add 1–5 days for the carrier to schedule pickup, depending on your location and flexibility.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from New York City?
Book an open carrier two to three weeks ahead, keep your dates flexible, and meet the truck near an interstate in New Jersey, Staten Island, the Bronx or Queens. Avoid shipping to Florida from October to December, when southbound trucks fill up.
When is the best time to ship a car from New York to Florida?
Spring and early summer are usually cheapest for southbound shipments, because most snowbirds are heading north. October to December is the most expensive time to ship south.
Can I put my car on a train from New York to Florida?
For part of the trip. Amtrak's Auto Train carries you and your car between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. You'd drive about 230 miles from New York City to Lorton first.
What do I do with my New York plates when I move out of state?
Turn your New York plates in to the DMV before you cancel your New York insurance. If the insurance lapses while the car is still registered in New York, your registration can be suspended.
Do I need to register my car in New York after moving to NYC?
Yes. New residents must register their vehicle within 30 days through the New York State DMV, and the car needs a New York safety and emissions inspection.
Related routes and guides
- New York to Florida
- New York to California
- Florida to New York
- California to New York
- Car shipping in New York
- Car shipping in Los Angeles
- Car shipping in San Diego
- Car shipping in Chicago
- Car shipping in Houston
- Car shipping in Miami
- Car shipping in Seattle
- Car shipping in Dallas
- Car shipping in San Jose
- Car shipping in Atlanta
- Get a car shipping quote
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 New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); truck route rules from NYC Department of Transportation truck route rules.