When you’re moving from Florida to Washington, you’re not just crossing a few state lines. You’re heading from one corner of the country to the other – a journey of nearly 3,000 miles. It’s a route that takes more than 40 hours of driving time without even counting rest stops, food, or hotel stays. That’s why car shipping Florida to Washington is the option most people turn to. Instead of taking on the stress of the road yourself, you let a professional carrier handle the long haul, and your car arrives safely on the other side of the country.
Florida To Washington car transport
Arranging Florida to Washington car transport means working with carriers who specialize in cross-country moves. The most common route starts in Florida cities like Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, then heads north along I-95 or I-75 before cutting west on I-10 or I-20. From there, drivers typically angle northwest through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and up into California before turning north on I-5 toward Oregon and finally Washington. Other carriers may cut diagonally across the Midwest, depending on where other vehicles need to be picked up or dropped off.
I’ve seen both approaches used, and honestly, the choice comes down to where other pickups and drop-offs are located. The trip isn’t a straight line – it’s a patchwork of stops that fill a carrier’s trailer. That’s one of the reasons transit times can vary. A customer in Seattle might get their car sooner if the truck is already running west along I-10, while someone in Spokane might wait a little longer if the driver’s route takes them up I-25 through Colorado and into the Plains.
Most Florida to Washington car transport happens on open carriers, which are the familiar nine or ten-car haulers you see on highways. They’re the most economical and widely available. Enclosed transport is also an option, and some owners choose it for luxury cars or classics that they don’t want exposed to the elements. I’ve had snowbird customers who shipped everyday sedans on open carriers while paying extra for an enclosed slot for a prized sports car. Both got where they needed to be, just with different price tags attached.
Shipping car from Florida To Washington
The process of shipping car from Florida to Washington isn’t complicated once you break it down. First, you book with a carrier or broker. Then, the driver gets in touch to arrange pickup. At that point, you do a walk-around inspection of the car together, noting any existing scratches or dents on the bill of lading. The vehicle is then loaded, strapped in place, and begins its cross-country ride. When it arrives in Washington, the driver repeats the inspection with you before handing it back over.
One of the most important steps in shipping car from Florida to Washington is preparation. Clear the car of personal belongings, because carriers aren’t licensed to move household items. Keep fuel at a quarter tank, which is plenty to load and unload the car without weighing it down. Disable alarms if your car has one, fold in mirrors, and make sure the battery is in good shape. I always suggest snapping a few photos of the car’s condition before it goes on the trailer. It’s a quick precaution that gives you peace of mind.
Delivery works a little differently depending on where in Washington you’re headed. Seattle and Tacoma are major hubs, and carriers are very familiar with those cities. If you’re moving to smaller towns or rural areas, you might need to meet the driver at a larger parking lot or nearby commercial space. These trucks are huge, and navigating narrow or residential streets can be impossible. I’ve done handoffs in shopping center parking lots more times than I can count, and it works fine once you know what to expect.
Cost to ship car from Florida To Washington
The cost to ship car from Florida to Washington usually falls in the $1,400–$1,800 range for sedans on open carriers. SUVs, vans, or pickups tend to add another $200–$300. Enclosed transport often doubles those figures, since far fewer vehicles fit in an enclosed trailer and demand is lower. It’s a premium choice that makes sense for high-value cars, but most people stick with open carriers for everyday vehicles.
Other factors influence the cost to ship car from Florida to Washington. Time of year is one of them. Summer relocations and winter snowbird returns drive up demand, which increases prices. Winter storms in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains can also slow down trucks and push costs higher. Flexibility matters too. Customers who give carriers a larger pickup window often save money, while those who demand specific dates pay more for the convenience of guaranteed scheduling.
FAQ
How long to ship car Florida To Washington?
Most trips take 8–11 days. Florida to Washington is one of the longest runs a carrier makes, so there’s a lot of ground to cover. If you’re shipping to Seattle, you may be on the shorter end of the window. If you’re shipping to Spokane or more rural parts of Washington, it can stretch a little longer. Weather, traffic, and the number of stops also play a role. The best approach is to expect a delivery window of about a week and a half, which keeps your expectations realistic.
Final thoughts
Car shipping Florida to Washington is a long-distance job, but it’s also routine for professional drivers. They make these coast-to-coast runs constantly, and they know the routes well. For the customer, the most important things are choosing between open and enclosed transport, preparing the vehicle properly, and understanding that long hauls always come with a little unpredictability. With the right planning, you’ll hand off your car in Florida and meet it again in Washington in just over a week.
If you’d like to dive deeper into costs, check out the breakdown here: cost to ship car from Florida to Washington. For general steps that apply no matter which states you’re moving between, take a look at how to ship a car. Both will give you more insight into the process while you plan your move from the Sunshine State to the Pacific Northwest.