Michigan Snowbirds: Ship Your Car to Florida, Skip the Drive

Every fall, tens of thousands of Michigan residents make the same calculation: drive to Florida or find another way to get there.

The drive from Detroit to the Tampa Bay area is about 1,200 miles. From the Upper Peninsula, add another 200. That amounts to 17 to 20 hours behind the wheel, split across two days (for most of us), with hotel stops and restaurant meals somewhere in Georgia.

Most snowbirds do this twice a year, every year, for a decade or more. The math on that compounds faster than it seems.

What the drive actually costs

The IRS business mileage rate is a reasonable approximation of true per-mile driving cost, accounting for fuel, wear, and depreciation. At $0.70 per mile, a 1,200-mile trip costs roughly $840 per leg, or $1,680 for the round trip. Add two nights of hotels at $150 to $200 per night and a couple of meals, and the real cost of a round trip comes out to somewhere between $2,100 and $2,500.

And that figure also does not account for the wear and tear on your car. If the goal of wintering in Florida is partly to extend the life of your vehicle by escaping Michigan salt and cold starts, driving it 1,200 miles through the South works against that.

What shipping costs

Auto transport from Michigan to Florida typically costs $700 to $1,100 for open transport, depending on route, timing, and current carrier availability. The fall migration window from October through November is a peak period for southbound shipments; booking early makes a real difference on price. Spring return trips going northbound tend to be slightly cheaper.

At $900 each way, you are looking at $1,800 for the year. That is close to, or below, what the drive costs once hotels and meals are included, and the comparison improves further when you fly on a deal and arrive in hours rather than days.

The part that is harder to quantify

If you are heading south for three or four months, flying down and finding your car waiting is a genuinely different way to start the winter. No two-day drive through the South. No arriving tired before the vacation actually begins.

For older drivers, this gap is more than a convenience calculation. A 19-hour drive over two days is a real physical undertaking, and its appeal tends to decline with each passing season.

How it works

You find a reputable car shipping company to transport your vehicle. You provide pickup and delivery addresses, choose open or enclosed transport, get a price, and fly. The carrier handles the rest.

RoadRunner Auto Transport handles Michigan-to-Florida routes regularly and has done so for over 30 years. The company works with a network of more than 14,000 vetted carriers nationwide, requires no deposit until a carrier is confirmed, and has 20,000+ five-star Google ratings from verified customers. Quotes are available online in under a minute.

Get a quote: https://www.roadrunnerautotransport.com/car-shipping-calculator

A few things to know before you book

Book early. Southbound capacity tightens in October and November, and prices follow. Two to four weeks ahead is a reasonable cushion; six weeks if your dates are firm and you want the best rate.

Open transport is the standard option and works fine for most vehicles. Enclosed transport, which loads your car into a covered trailer, makes sense for classics, exotics, or anything with a low ground clearance.

Personal items can typically stay in the car, but most carriers cap them at 100 lbs. and do not insure them. Travel documents and anything irreplaceable should make the trip with you.

Door-to-door service is standard with reputable brokers, meaning pickup and delivery at your actual addresses rather than a central terminal.

Frequently Asked Question

How far in advance should I book?

For fall travel to Florida, 2 to 4 weeks is a comfortable window. During peak snowbird season, some people book 6 to 8 weeks out to lock in better pricing.

What if my car is not running?

Most brokers, including RoadRunner Auto Transport, can arrange transport for inoperable vehicles. Mention it at booking; it typically adds a modest surcharge and may affect carrier availability on the timeline.

Is the car insured during transport?

Carriers are required to carry cargo insurance. Confirm the coverage amount when you book, and check whether your own auto policy provides any supplemental coverage during transit.

Can I ship two cars?

Yes. Some snowbirds ship one and drive the other; others ship both and fly. At current rates, shipping both often works out close to the combined cost of driving one and renting a vehicle at the destination for months.

Does it matter which part of Michigan I am in?

Not much. Door-to-door service means carriers come to your address. Routes out of the Upper Peninsula may have slightly longer pickup windows since carrier density is lower there, but the service is available