Florida to California Car Shipping: Understanding the Coast-to-Coast Route. Moving a vehicle from the Atlantic beaches of Florida to the Pacific shores of California spans almost 2,800 interstate miles. That journey crosses eight states, four time zones, three climate zones, and several of the busiest freight corridors in the nation. For many families, businesses, snowbirds, military members, and students, driving those miles is far less attractive than handing the keys to a professional carrier. By choosing a licensed firm—one that moves thousands of vehicles a year up, down, and across the country—you trade risk, fatigue, and depreciation for convenience, predictability, and insurance-backed security.
When KR Trucking schedules a load on this route, we pair your vehicle with a truck that runs a “coast-to-coast express” lane. Most rigs start in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami and run west on Interstate 10 through the Florida Panhandle. Once our carriers clear Pensacola they either stay on I-10 all the way to the California border or shift north onto I-20/I-40 for better weather windows in winter. That flexibility lets us dodge Gulf hurricanes, Texas hail, Oklahoma ice, and Arizona monsoon storms. Dispatch monitors every cell of bad weather in real time and adjusts the path before the truck is ever in harm’s way.
Because these cross-country rigs cover 500 to 600 loaded miles per day, the drive itself takes about five daylight shifts. Add one day for loading and one for unloading and most door-to-door moves land between six and eight calendar days once your vehicle is on the truck.
How to Ship Car from Florida to California Efficiently
The next section walks through each stage of the process, including the documents needed, how to prep a daily driver versus a collectible, and ways to reduce cost without sacrificing peace of mind. The instructions apply whether you move a single compact sedan, a pair of off-lease SUVs, or a fleet of corporate pickups.
Request a Quote
Visit the KR Trucking quote form. Enter your Florida ZIP code, destination ZIP code in California, vehicle year/make/model, operability status, and the first date the car will be ready. We will give a guaranteed price based on current fuel, carrier availability, and open versus enclosed trailer choice. These rates change with diesel spikes, holidays, or major weather events. The online form always reflects the latest rates.
Book and Confirm
After accepting the quote, sign an electronic agreement from your phone or laptop. Choose payment type—a small booking deposit, net-15 corporate billing, or zero-down if you are shipping on behalf of an auto dealership with an existing account. You receive a confirmation PDF that lists dispatch contact info and the USDOT and MC credentials for our carrier arm.
Prepare the Vehicle
Wash the exterior so inspection photos are crystal clear. Remove personal belongings; federal law caps cabin/trunk cargo at 100 lb, and loose items increase risk of theft or damage. Turn off toll tags to prevent false charges. Disable any kill-switch alarms that can trigger when the car rocks on a trailer. Keep about a quarter-tank of gasoline; that is enough for loading ramps yet light enough to reduce overall weight. If the car sits extra low—common on sports coupes—tell dispatch so the driver arrives with race ramps or a lift-gate.
Loading Day
You and the driver meet at curbside or a nearby parking lot with good turning radius. Together you walk around the car, mark existing scratches on the digital Bill of Lading, and snap four corner photos plus interior odometer and roof. The driver drives slowly up the deck. On a segmented carrier the upper planks tilt independently. That “stair-step” design means your Tallahassee SUV can ride above a compact Tampa sedan while staying under federal 13-foot-6 clearance. Soft wheel straps wrap over the tire tread and connect to deck D-rings—nothing touches the wheel face or brakes.
Delivery in California
Drivers often deliver in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire, San Jose, or Sacramento. If your street can’t fit a 75-foot rig, we meet in a mall lot or business park five minutes away. Inspect, sign off, pay any remaining balance—credit card, ACH, or certified check—and you are ready to cruise the Pacific Coast Highway with zero extra miles on your odometer.
Florida to California Car Shipping Costs and Timing
Exact costs fluctuate—vehicle size, truck space, and season all play a role—so use our quote form for a precise figure. That said, here are the elements behind every number:
Distance. Miami to Los Angeles is farther than Orlando to San Diego, but price per mile may dip because longer legs spread fixed loading costs.
Vehicle Size. A full-size pickup occupies more deck space and weight than a compact sedan and adds incremental fuel consumption.
Transport Type. Open carriers cost less and are widely available. Enclosed carriers add 30-40 percent for climate-controlled, weather-sealed service.
Season. Snowbird exodus in late fall packs westbound decks. Spring sees a reverse flow. Peak summer relocation season also bumps demand.
Fuel. Diesel swings are the most volatile component. A 20 cent per-gallon spike over 2,800 miles impacts final cost.
Regional Demand. A high-volume origin such as Jacksonville or Miami loads quickly. A rural pickup in the Everglades may require extra dead-head miles and a small surcharge.
Typical lead time between booking and pickup sits around three to seven days. If you need an exact date, choose “Priority” and we guarantee a one-day window with a dedicated driver.
Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping
Open Transport Highlights
Lower cost
Faster scheduling
Fully insured and safe for most cars, SUVs, and trucks
Nine units per deck, meaning less dead weight per customer
Enclosed Transport Highlights
Ideal for supercars, antiques, custom paint, or high-value EVs
Lift-gate loading prevents low-nose scrape
Climate-controlled, dust-free interior
Higher insurance caps
How Florida to California Car Shipping Protects Your Investment
By choosing a professional carrier you dodge potholes, hail, and mechanical strain from a 40-hour drive. You also avoid depreciation on high-mileage lease vehicles. Each mile saved counts toward better resale when it is time to trade in. Our company keeps your ride on air-ride suspension, packed with soft-loop straps, and covered by a $250 k cargo policy from pickup to delivery.
Tips to Ship Car from Florida to California on a Budget
Book two to three weeks early outside peak seasons
Stay flexible with a two-day pickup window
Choose open carrier unless the vehicle is worth six figures or more
Opt for terminal service if you live in a congested downtown
Ship multiple vehicles together with neighbors to secure multi-car discount
Avoid major holiday weeks when capacity is tight and rates surge
Preparing Special Vehicle Types
Motorcycles ship on palletized skids in enclosed trailers. Soft straps, front-wheel chocks, and padded bar harnesses keep bikes upright.
Boats under 20 feet on trailers fit the lower decks of open carriers. Lighting harnesses and straps meet DOT chain-down rules.
Extra-tall lifted trucks require a low-boy step-deck or single-car carrier to stay under height limits west of El Paso.
Frequently Asked Questions on Florida to California Car Shipping
How long does it take? — Six to eight days door-to-door once loaded.
Can I load boxes inside the car? — Up to 100 pounds in trunk or hatch area is allowed; valuables ride with you.
Is the vehicle insured? — Yes, KR Trucking carries $250 k cargo, $1 M liability.
Do I need to be present at pickup? — Yes or appoint an adult representative with keys.
Can I track the truck? — Live GPS link plus SMS updates.
What if my car does not run? — Winch-on service available for an extra fee.
Vehicle Preparation Checklist Before You Ship Car from Florida to California
Quarter-tank of fuel
Tire PSI at manufacturer spec
Remove toll tags and parking permits
Disable alarms and GPS immobilizers
Take time-stamped photos of exterior and interior
Provide one working key or fob
Fold in mirrors and retract antennas
Paperwork and Regulatory Compliance
KR Trucking drivers carry a copy of your electronic Bill of Lading, original title or lien-holder letter, and FMCSA operating authority. California has strict emissions rules, but commercial carriers with modern DEF diesels pass CARB checkpoints automatically. We also manage Arizona agricultural inspections and California fruit-fly checkpoints—no action needed on your part.
Weather and Terrain Along the Route
Florida heat and humidity mean early-morning pickups keep tires from baking on hot ramps.
Gulf Coast thunderstorms roll up from Mobile to Houston; our trucks park under bridges if lightning approaches.
West Texas high plains produce dust devils; drivers secure tarp covers on open trailers if side winds exceed 35 mph.
Arizona’s desert sees 110°F June afternoons; we schedule night driving to protect rubber and fuel tanks.
California mountains east of San Diego can surprise with snow in January; enclosed rigs prevent ice pellets from pitting glass.
Final Words: Why Choose KR Trucking for Florida to California Car Shipping
We are not a new broker chasing one-time commissions. We own tractors, trailers, supervise partner carriers, and regularly operate lines between Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, San Diego and many other places throughout Florida, California and entire USA. Our dispatch center runs 7 days a week with live agents who actually answer phones. We specialize in coast-to-coast hauls for cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, and even unique vehicles like food trucks and micro-campers. From the first quote to the final handshake we treat your vehicle as if it belongs in our own driveway.
Need an up-to-date quote? Use the form at the top of this page. It pulls live lane rates and factors vehicle size, weight, season, and current diesel prices. You will get the most accurate cost in under 60 seconds—no spam, no bait and switch. When you are ready to schedule, click “Book Now” or call the number listed; we will walk you through every step of the best way to ship car from Florida to California. Your Pacific adventure awaits, and KR Trucking is here to make sure your wheels get there first-class.