Pennsylvania car shipping usually starts at one of two very different cities. Philadelphia, in the southeast, sits on I-95 near the busy Northeast corridor, while Pittsburgh, in the west, is surrounded by hills and rivers. Auto transport in Pennsylvania connects them by the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains, and by I-80, I-81 and I-78. Each region has its own access issues, so we plan pickups with local streets in mind.
In Philadelphia, rowhome blocks in South Philly, Fishtown and Northern Liberties are too tight for an 80 foot car hauler. Most pickups there happen at a nearby open lot, often near I-95 or I-76. Pittsburgh's steep streets and narrow neighborhood roads in places like Mount Washington and Polish Hill call for the same approach. In the suburbs and the Lehigh Valley, door to door service is common. Sahara Auto Transport sorts out the meeting point before the driver is dispatched.
Snowbirds are a big part of the picture. Many Pennsylvanians spend winters in Florida, and cars head south on I-95 and I-81 from October through December and come back north from March to May. Pennsylvania also sees steady moves tied to Penn State, Pitt, Temple and the big hospital systems, plus military families at Carlisle Barracks and Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. Sahara is based in South Florida, so the Pennsylvania to Florida lane is one we serve every week.
Pickup and delivery
Where we ship in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Rowhome neighborhoods rarely have room for a car hauler, so pickups usually take place in larger lots near I-95, I-76 or Roosevelt Boulevard.
Pittsburgh
Hilly neighborhoods and narrow streets often mean meeting near the Parkway or I-279, while suburbs like Cranberry and Monroeville are easier for door to door.
Allentown and the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley sits on I-78 and I-476, with fast-growing suburbs that are generally easy for carriers.
Harrisburg
The capital is at the junction of I-81, I-83 and the Turnpike, making it one of the easiest pickups in the state.
Erie
Erie gets heavy lake-effect snow, and winter pickups along I-90 and I-79 may need flexible timing.
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre
Northeastern Pennsylvania sits on I-81 and I-476, with routes heading south toward the Carolinas and Florida.
Routes our carriers use
Main corridors in and out of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 and I-276)
The main east to west toll road from the Ohio line to the Philadelphia area, with tunnels through the Alleghenies.
I-95
Runs through Philadelphia along the Delaware River, carrying most snowbird traffic between the Northeast and Florida.
I-81
Crosses eastern and central Pennsylvania from Scranton through Harrisburg to Maryland and Virginia, a heavy truck route.
I-80
Spans the northern part of the state, linking New York City with Ohio and the Midwest.
I-78 and I-476
Connect the Lehigh Valley with New Jersey, Harrisburg and the Philadelphia suburbs.
Ports and logistics hubs
- Port of Philadelphia on the Delaware River
- Port of Baltimore, the busiest US port for roll-on/roll-off vehicles, about 100 miles from Philadelphia
- Norfolk Southern Rutherford intermodal terminal near Harrisburg
Transit times
How long shipping from Pennsylvania takes
Orlando, FL
about 1,000 miles · 2 to 4 days
Est. $900 to $1,150
Miami, FL
1,150 to 1,250 miles · 3 to 5 days
Est. $975 to $1,250
Chicago, IL
about 760 miles · 2 to 4 days
Est. $800 to $1,000
Dallas, TX
about 1,470 miles · 4 to 6 days
Est. $1,075 to $1,350
Los Angeles, CA
2,650 to 2,750 miles · 7 to 10 days
Est. $1,425 to $1,800
Transit starts once your vehicle is loaded. Prices are November 2026 estimates for a running sedan on an open carrier, not quotes. Ocean shipments to Alaska and Hawaii are priced individually.
Snowbirds, mountain snow and lake-effect storms
Fall is the busiest season for Pennsylvania to Florida car shipping. From October through December, snowbirds send cars south, and in spring the flow reverses. Booking a few weeks ahead during these periods helps you get the dates and price you want.
Winter weather varies across the state. The Allegheny Mountains along the Turnpike and I-80 can see heavy snow, and the Turnpike sometimes restricts commercial vehicles during storms. Erie gets some of the heaviest lake-effect snow in the country. Philadelphia sees fewer storms but can be hit by nor'easters, and spring thaw brings potholes that can be rough on low cars.
Local know-how
Tips for shipping a car in Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike is all-electronic, billing E-ZPass or by plate. Remove your E-ZPass tag before shipping so it does not register at gantries on the carrier's route.
- In Philadelphia, plan to meet at a nearby lot rather than on a rowhome block. Street parking and tight corners make loading unsafe.
- New residents should title and register through PennDOT. Most states expect registration within about 30 days of residency, and Pennsylvania requires an annual safety inspection, plus emissions testing in some counties.
- Shipping from Erie or the Alleghenies in winter, keep your dates flexible and the car clear of snow on pickup day.
- Snowbirds heading to Florida, book in September or early October for the best options in the fall rush.