How to Ship a Car From Michigan to Florida
If you ever need to ship a car from Michigan to Florida that’s a distance of around 1500 miles. Sounds a reasonable distance to drive if you felt like taking a road trip, but is there a better option?
In this post you’re going to find out all there is to know about how to ship a car from Michigan to Florida with the help of an auto transport company like SGT Auto Transport.
There are many reasons why you might need car shipping to/from Michigan. You may have bought your dream car at an online auction and need to get it home. Perhaps you’ve entered your Chevy Corvette into one of the many Florida Classic Car Shows and want to get it there without any hassle. Whatever the reason, one of the safest, most secure and affordable options is a car shipping service.
Car shipping to/from Florida - How does it work?
If you’re wondering how to ship a car and are worried that it might be a complicated process, let’s put your mind at rest. You can ship a car from Michigan to Florida and vice versa in three easy steps.
Step 1 - Get a quote and book your service
The first thing to do is get in touch with an auto transport company and request a quote. Here on this website you can get a free quote using our online quote calculator. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to speak with a real person, our shipping advisors are available by phone or Live Chat.
To get a quote you have to provide some details, such as the pick-up city and state, the delivery city and state, make, model, and year of the vehicle you want to ship, condition of the vehicle, type of transport service required, and the first available pick-up date.
If you’re happy with the quote you’re given, it’s a simple case of booking your order.
Step 2 - Your car is picked up
A few hours before the pre-arranged pick-up time, the carrier assigned to you will get in touch to confirm the pick-up information. They’ll also want to check that the pick-up location is accessible for large commercial vehicles and you’ll be available to release your vehicle. If either of these are an issue it’s not a problem. An alternative location can be arranged and you can nominate a third-party to act on your behalf.
When the carrier arrives you must inspect your vehicle for any existing damage and make a note of any dents, dings, chips, or scratches on the Bill of Lading.
With the paperwork complete, the driver can load your car onto the trailer and be on their way.
For your peace of mind, we regularly update you on the progress of your vehicle by email, Live Chat, or telephone.
Step 3 - Your car is delivered
You can expect a call from the carrier to let you know they are almost at the delivery location. They’re also checking that you’re going to be available to receive your car. Again, as before, you can nominate a third-party if you’re busy at that time.
When the carrier delivers your car you’ll be asked to inspect it to make sure everything is in order. Make sure you inspect your vehicle closely and if you’re happy, sign the Bill of Lading to accept delivery of your car.
How much to ship a car from Michigan to Florida?
This is a very common question for anyone wanting to ship a car and while we’d like to let you know exactly, it’s simply not possible because everyone’s requirements are different. Mileage does play a vital role in the cost of shipping a car from Michigan to Florida, but it’s not the only factor that is taken into account.
Other factors that affect car shipping include:
- The make, model, and year of your vehicle: Carriers have to comply with weight restrictions so they have to maximize each load. The heavier and bigger your vehicle, the more it will cost to transport it from Michigan to Florida.
- The route: Some routes are more popular than others. If the route you want is a popular one, the cost of auto transport will be lower. The same applies if you’re shipping from city to city. However, if the carrier has to drive out of their way to pick up or deliver your vehicle, it’s going to cost you more.
- Whether your car is running or not: Sometimes people want to ship a car that’s not running. Specialist equipment is required to load and unload an inoperable car. It also takes more time and effort. Both these factors impact the overall cost of a car shipping service.
- The time of year: Auto transport services are affected by supply and demand, much like many other industries. At certain times of the year, the demand for car shipping services is higher. This leads to higher prices. Direction is another factor that can be related to the time of year. The snowbird season is a very good example. Between October and December, demand for car shipments from northern states down to Florida and other states is much higher. In the opposite direction, the peak time is from March to May because that is when the snowbirds head back home.
- Type of auto transport service: The most common options are open and enclosed car shipping.
- Open car shipping is the standard option. Cars are transported on an open-air trailer with a top and bottom deck. Carriers can transport multiple vehicles but they are exposed to the weather, traffic, and road debris. Nevertheless, this is the most popular shipping option that’s affordable, secure, and safe.
- Enclosed car shipping is the most popular option for people who want to ship classic, antique, custom, modified, or luxury vehicles. This is because the vehicles are shipped in an enclosed trailer, protecting them completely from the weather and road debris. This auto transport service is typically 30% to 40% higher in price.
- Additional features: Additional features that tend to cost more include top-loading, express shipping, and guaranteed pick-up.
- Price of fuel: One final factor that must be considered is the cost of fuel. If the price of fuel is high it increases operating costs for the car shipping companies. These increases are generally passed on to the customer.
Get your quote for shipping a car from Michigan to Florida today!
How long does car transport from Michigan to Florida take?
An auto transport company with experienced drivers can cover several hundred miles in one day. However, the actual time it takes to deliver your car from Michigan to Florida varies.
The biggest factor is the distance the carrier has to travel. If the distance is more than 2,000 miles, it can take between 7 and 9 days. Shorter distances are obviously quicker. Something else that can affect the timeframe is if the pick-up or delivery locations are remote, rather than a city.
Other factors that can impact the overall time frame include:
- Number of stops
- Traffic flow
- Detours
- Weather conditions
- Heavy traffic
- Road construction
One final factor is the number of driver’s hours. The US Department of Transportation mandates that truck drivers can only be legally on the road for 70 hours each week.
Tips on picking the best car shipping companies in Michigan
If you’ve never used an auto transport company before you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. There are so many companies to choose from that finding a reliable one can be a challenge.
If you want to increase the likelihood of picking a reliable and professional car shipping service, there are some things to look out for.
Make sure they are registered
Checking that a company is registered is important. The auto transport industry is highly regulated and the organization responsible is the Department of Transport (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
To check a company’s registration you should ask for their DOT number and MC number. The validity of these numbers can be checked by visiting the relevant websites.
Make sure they are bonded
Registration is not the only thing to check. You must also check that a company is bonded and insured because this means you’re covered should anything happen during the car shipping process.
Choose a company that meets your needs and budget
When you’re researching the various options, narrow down the search to auto transport companies that meet your needs.
For example, if you want to ship a vintage car from Michigan to Florida you should choose a company that offers enclosed auto transport. This will ensure your car is given the extra care and attention it requires.
Other features you might want to look for include door-to-door services, customer discounts, digital tracking, and express delivery.
Check for experience
When you’re doing your research, look into the experience and expertise of the auto transport provider. You want a company with many years experience because they’ll have the necessary resources and experienced personnel.
What payment options are available?
No two customers are the same so it might be helpful if there are several payment options to choose from. Ideally, look for a company that allows customers to pay with cash, credit cards, checks, or PayPal.
Be very wary of booking with an auto transport company that only accepts wire transfer payments. This payment method is not as traceable as credit or debit cards, or a cashier’s check.
Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals
A lot of resources, time, and expertise have to come together when it comes to moving vehicles from one destination to another. All of these things cost money, so think very carefully before working with a company that boasts the cheapest option. They could be cutting corners along the way which may cost you more further down the line.
If you come across a company that’s offering a service that’s too-good-to-be-true, there’s a good chance it is. The cheapest option could take longer, be more unreliable, have insufficient insurance coverage, and lack the infrastructure.
Check out customer reviews
Before signing on the dotted line, spend some time reading a company’s online reviews. There are lots of review sites you can visit, for example, Google, Facebook, BBB, Trustpilot, or Transportreviews.com.
Don’t just read the glowing reviews. The negative and critical reviews can be just as informative. They’ll give you an idea as to how quickly issues are resolved and how the company responded to a complaint. If a company chooses not to respond to negative or critical reviews, it’s likely they’re not worth your business. You should also be very wary of a company that has few or no negative feedback.
Shipping personal items
A common question is “Can you put stuff in a car when you ship it?” Some, but not all auto transport carriers allow you to ship personal items in your car. It can be a very useful option to check for because it means you can pack items you want to keep safe and reduce the risk of them being damaged when being loaded and unloaded from the mover’s truck.
Generally, you can expect there to be a limit, for example, 100 lbs. In addition, you’ll have to pack them in a suitcase or box and lock them in the trunk of your car.
Now you know a little bit more about shipping a car from Michigan to Florida it’s time to get in touch with our shipping advisors and ask for a quote. You can call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
