Florida to New York car shipping hits its stride when the Palm Beach season winds down. From March through May, snowbirds who spent the winter in Boca Raton, Sarasota or The Villages need their cars back on Long Island, in Westchester or upstate, and most would rather not spend two days on I-95 doing it themselves. The same lane also carries a steady flow of year-round moves, from UF and FSU graduates starting jobs in Manhattan to families relocating north for work.
Pickup in Florida is usually simple. Wide suburban streets, big parking lots and flat terrain mean carriers can reach most homes in Broward, Palm Beach, Lee and Collier counties. The exceptions are gated communities and condo towers along A1A, where security rules and low porte-cocheres can keep a carrier out. In those cases we arrange the handoff at the gate or a nearby plaza. Since Sahara Auto Transport works out of Hollywood, Florida, we deal with these South Florida buildings every week.
The New York end takes more planning. Manhattan truck routes, alternate side parking in the outer boroughs and narrow village streets on the North Shore all affect where a long carrier can stop. Upstate deliveries to Rochester, Syracuse or the Adirondacks are easier to reach but can run into a snowstorm well into April. We talk through the delivery spot with you before the truck leaves Florida, so the final mile is planned rather than improvised.
Pricing
How much it costs to ship a car from Florida to New York
Estimated ranges for a typical trip of about 1,230 miles on this route, updated November 2026.
Sedan or coupe
- Open carrier
- $975 to $1,250
- Enclosed
- $1,525 to $1,950
SUV, crossover or minivan
- Open carrier
- $1,125 to $1,450
- Enclosed
- $1,750 to $2,225
Pickup or large SUV
- Open carrier
- $1,275 to $1,625
- Enclosed
- $1,975 to $2,525
- These are estimates, not quotes. Your exact price depends on the addresses, vehicle, condition, season and carrier availability.
- Non-running vehicles that need a winch usually add $150 to $250. Peak season and expedited pickup can raise the price.
The northbound drive from Florida to New York
Carriers leaving South Florida usually take the Florida Turnpike or I-95 north. Trucks loading on the Gulf Coast run up I-75 and then cross to the Atlantic side, either on I-4 to Daytona Beach or on I-10 to Jacksonville. From there it is a long, steady drive through Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia, where interstate miles stack up quickly and drivers can cover a lot of ground in a day.
The pace slows north of Richmond. The Capital Beltway, the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Baltimore, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Hudson crossings all add time. Cars bound for upstate often leave I-95 for I-81 in Virginia and head north through Harrisburg, Scranton and Binghamton toward Syracuse, avoiding New York City entirely. For most pairs, plan on 3 to 5 days in transit.
City to city
Popular Florida to New York trips
Miami, FL → New York City, NY
1,280 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $1,000 to $1,275
Boca Raton, FL → Long Island, NY
1,260 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $1,000 to $1,275
Naples, FL → Westchester County, NY
1,300 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $1,000 to $1,275
The Villages, FL → Albany, NY
1,150 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $950 to $1,225
Orlando, FL → Rochester, NY
1,200 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $975 to $1,250
Jacksonville, FL → Brooklyn, NY
940 miles · 2 to 4 days
Est. $875 to $1,100
Transit times start at pickup. Prices are November 2026 estimates for a running sedan on an open carrier, not quotes.
Spring rush and the rest of the year
Northbound volume climbs in March and usually peaks from early April through mid-May, with Easter and Mother's Day weekends among the busiest. Carriers that ran full loads into Florida all fall now compete for the return trip, and so do thousands of snowbirds. If your departure date is fixed, book three to four weeks out and expect pricing to run firmer than in the quieter months.
Summer is a calmer time to ship north, though hurricane season begins June 1 and Florida pickups can shift a day or two if a storm approaches. In winter the Florida end is busy with arrivals, so northbound trucks often have room, but a nor'easter or a lake-effect band near Buffalo or Syracuse can delay the final delivery. Build in a little buffer if you are heading upstate between December and March.
Before you book
Tips for this route
- If your Florida community has a gatehouse, add the carrier to the guest list for pickup day. Some associations in The Villages, Boca Raton and Bonita Springs also limit commercial trucks to certain hours.
- Wash the car before pickup. Salt air and lovebug season in May and September can leave residue that hides chips and scratches on the inspection report.
- For Manhattan or Brooklyn delivery, plan to meet the driver yourself and have a garage or legal spot ready. Someone has to sign the delivery inspection, and the driver cannot leave the car on a street with alternate side rules.
- New York generally expects new residents to register within 30 days, followed by a New York State inspection. Bring your Florida title and registration to the DMV appointment.
- Remove your SunPass or E-ZPass transponder before pickup, since the carrier crosses tolled bridges and turnpikes in several states on the way north.