Massachusetts to Florida Car Shipping: Boston Snowbirds' Guide

New England winters are beautiful from a distance. Every fall, Massachusetts snowbirds head to Florida, and more of them are choosing to fly down and ship the car instead of spending two or three days on I-95.

Route overview

• Distance: about 1,250 to 1,500 miles, depending on your Florida destination
• Typical transit: about 4 to 6 days after pickup
• Service: door-to-door, open or enclosed

Southbound demand peaks from October through January, so the earlier you book, the more pickup dates you'll have to choose from.

Pickup tips for Boston and the rest of Massachusetts

• Boston, Cambridge and Somerville: narrow streets and parking restrictions are common. If a full-size carrier can't reach your door, the driver will arrange to meet you at a nearby accessible spot.
• Suburbs and the South Shore: usually easy access.
• Cape Cod and the Islands: Cape pickups are possible with a bit more planning. For island vehicles, plan to bring the car to the mainland.
• Central and Western Mass (Worcester, Springfield): close to major carrier corridors.

Popular Florida destinations

• Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota
• Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach
• Orlando and The Villages
• Tampa and St. Petersburg

When to book

• 2 to 3 weeks ahead is ideal
• Flexible dates make dispatch faster
• Plan your spring return at the same time

Our full snowbird car shipping guide covers prep and timing in more detail.

Open or enclosed?

Open transport is the most common and economical choice. Many New England snowbirds who spend the winter driving a classic or convertible in Florida choose enclosed auto transport for extra protection.