cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to Florida
How Much does it cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to Florida
The cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to Florida ranges between $600 and $1,100 in rural areas, depending on various factors such as the distance, transport method, fuel prices, time of year, and car size. However, other factors may also influence such decisions.
Factor Affect on Car Shipping Cost
Transport Method:
The main options for transporting a car long distances are:
Open vehicle transport: This is the most common and affordable method. Vehicles are loaded onto a multi-car carrier trailer. Costs range from $600 to $850 for trips from Massachusetts to Florida.
Enclosed auto transport: While more expensive, this method offers higher security and protection from weather. Costs range from $900 to $1,100.
Door-to-door auto transport: With this option, cars are delivered to your location and taken directly to the specified address. Convenience comes at a steeper price, ranging from $850 to $1,200.
Terminal-to-terminal auto transport: This option involves transporting your vehicle from the starting terminal to the ending terminal. You are responsible for driving your car to the starting terminal and picking it up from the ending terminal. While this provides more freedom, it also requires more effort on your part. Costs range from $500 to $800.
Mileage and Route:
The distance between Boston and Miami is approximately 1,500 miles.
Less direct routes can increase fuel and time costs.
Transport companies optimize routes to minimize empty miles, but pricing can still vary by $100 to $300 based on routing.
Vehicle Type:
Shipping larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks costs more due to the increased space they occupy on trailers.
Cost estimates for shipping from Massachusetts to Florida are as follows:
Small sedans and coupes: $600 – $900
Mid-size sedans: $700 – $1,000
SUVs and trucks: $800 – $1,100
Luxury cars: $900 – $1,200
Timing of Year:
Auto transport prices tend to increase during peak demand periods, such as the end of Years, the start of seasons (winter, summer), and holidays.
How long does it take to ship a car from MA to CA?
Most vehicles take between 5-9 days in total to be picked up in Massachusetts and delivered to their Florida destination when using standard open auto transport via interstate highways.
This factors in 3 days each for loading/unloading and transport, plus potential weather or mechanical delays.
Expedited car shipping with enclosed trailers reduces the total duration to 3-5 days but comes at a premium cost.
Alternatively, you could allow 2+ weeks for slow bargain transports that make multiple stops.
Door-to-door services schedule an exact driver arrival, while terminal services have pickup/drop-off windows ranging from 4-8 hours typically.
Tracking your vehicle’s progress is available with most auto transport companies as well.
How Does Shipping a Car From Massachusetts to Florida Work?
Get Free Quote
Get a free quote by using our car shipping cost calculator. Provide details on your vehicle and transport parameters, then receive free quotes on costs from companies.
Confirm Your Booking
The car shipping company will discuss the specifications of your vehicle, endpoint addresses, and timing requests, and finalize billing over the phone before setting up dispatch.
vehicle Delivered
Our car carrier picks up the vehicle on the specified date and delivers it on your desired date. Sign the Bill of Lading (BOL) upon receipt at your doorstep.
How to Get a Free Quote
Get a free quote by using the car shipping cost calculator without any personal information.
Have Details Ready
Provide these vehicle specifics to get the most accurate pricing: Make & model, Year, 4-door/2-door, Approximate miles, Modifications, Overall dimensions if oversized
Share Exact Addresses
Give transport companies a full Massachusetts pickup address and full Florida delivery address Whether home or terminal locations, Miles and driving time impact cost calculations so be as exact as possible.
Set Timing Expectations
Let providers know your ideal time frames including the earliest pickup availability, Preferred delivery target
Window of days that work Peak volume periods often cost more and sell out so remain flexible if possible.
With these transport and vehicle specifics, auto shipping companies can quote expected all-in costs to deliver your car across state lines. Getting quotes early aids budgeting.
What Do I Need to Do to Prepare My Car for Shipping?
Proper preparation minimizes potential shipping issues and claims, so take these steps before your vehicle is picked up: Every car shipping company allows shipping a car and belongings together up to 100 lbs, so ensure your personal belongings weigh no more than 100 lbs. If your belongings weigh more, you may have to pay an extra $50-$100 to the carrier.
Remove all non-permanent personal items and electronics.
Check fluid levels and tire pressures.
Disarm the alarm and provide keys for enclosed shipping.
Ensure the gas level is above 1/4th of the tank minimum.
Clean the exterior so that the condition is documented clearly.
With cars secured to trailers, no modifications or disassembly is needed outside of disarming the alarm. Prior inspection and reporting of existing flaws or damage through photos create proof needed to protect against responsibility questions if new damage occurs.
Research transporters thoroughly and take time prepping vehicles using these guidelines for smooth travels across Massachusetts to Florida routes.
Cheapest Way to ship a Car
These methods can help minimize the cost of transporting your car interstate:
Compare Multiple Quotes: Rates vary between thousands of transport companies, so get free quotes from at least 3-5 services. Provide the same parameters like vehicle details, addresses, and timing to each for an equivalent comparison. Getting multiple quotes takes more time upfront but saves $100+ typically.
Use Terminal-to-Terminal Open car Transport: Choosing terminal-to-terminal and open auto carrier methods provides the most budget-friendly shipping solution. The trade-offs are no home pickup/delivery and less protection against road debris damage. But for those on a tight budget, this provides the cheapest way to ship longer distances.
Set Flexible Pickup/Drop off Windows: Opting for wide 4-8 hour pickup and drop-off windows gives transporters greater ability to route your vehicle efficiently. This results in lower fuel and opportunity costs that they pass along in savings. Just be prepared to be available for the full window time frames.
Ship During Non-Peak Periods: Avoid setting transport during the busiest volume times around holidays and season changes. While less convenient, shipping your sedan in October vs July can save $250 or more. If flexibility allows, let this guide timing decisions. In winter cost will high 15% increase.
With some effort devoted to shopping transporters and settings, costs of under $700 to ship a car between Massachusetts to Florida are achievable. Price should not prevent you from considering this very convenient option.
Frequently asked Questions
A deposit from $100 to $250 is typical at the time of booking to secure your transport slot. Once delivered, you inspect the vehicle before paying any balance via certified check, money order, or sometimes credit card with an added surcharge.
No. All non-permanent content should be taken out for the safest transit. Any personal items left in the car are done so solely at the owner’s risk according to terms with transport companies.
Yes, non-running vehicles can have vehicles towed into and out of transport trailers. Additional labor fees apply which vary by situation. Be transparent on vehicle conditions early in the quoting process.
Claim by getting in touch with the auto shipping company right away.
Any damage should be noted and captured on camera; the auto shipping firm should be presented with this proof.
Some top businesses have a strong track record, extensive insurance coverage, and excellent customer satisfaction scores.
Conclusion
The convenience of auto transport provides incredible flexibility for those needing vehicles moved between Massachusetts and Florida or other long distances.
While costs fluctuate based on vehicle types, mileage, dates and other factors, average prices range very affordably from $700 to $1,100 for sedans and SUVs.
With enclosed and expedited options too, choices exist for all budgets.
Just focus your free quoting efforts during early booking, flexible timing windows and budget carrier choices to keep shipping costs down.
Preparation steps for your car or truck takes just short work as well with the heavy lifting handled by insured professionals.
Once expected timelines, vehicle protocols and costs are understood for services, those needing interstate transport between Massachusetts and Florida gain immense freedom.