Moving a car north from Florida to Ohio has an estimated price of $665–$875 on an open carrier, depending on the vehicle. Enclosed adds $450 per vehicle.
The distance runs from about 930 miles (Orlando to Columbus) to about 1,150 miles (Sarasota to Cleveland). Most trips of this length take about 2–4 days on the road once the car is picked up; your dispatcher gives you an honest pickup window.
Heading home to Ohio in spring
Between March and May, the snowbird traffic flips direction. Ohio winter residents close up in Florida and head back to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo — and the car needs to make the trip too.
A few things are different on the way back:
- It’s a new price. The trip home is booked and priced on its own, from what carriers are paid on the lane in spring. Sign it, and Price Lock protects it — if the carrier’s rate goes up before pickup, we cover up to $200 per vehicle.
- Your schedule is set by the Florida side. Closing the condo, the flight, the date you need to be back — the car’s pickup usually fits around those, not the other way around.
- Timing ahead of summer. The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1. If you plan to leave in late May, give yourself a little room.
How far it is from Florida to Ohio
Common city pairs:
- Orlando to Columbus — about 930 miles
- Tampa to Columbus — about 970 miles
- Sarasota to Cleveland — about 1,150 miles
South Florida or the Gulf coast below Tampa to northeast Ohio is the longer end. Enclosed adds $450 per vehicle; a car that doesn’t run adds $150. Check your two ZIP codes in the calculator.
Two cars, one trip home
Plenty of couples spend the winter in Florida with two cars. You can price up to four vehicles in one quote, so both cars can be booked together for the trip north. Each vehicle is priced for its type — a sedan and an SUV won’t cost the same — and enclosed or not-running surcharges apply per vehicle.
Scheduling the pickup
- Book when your dates are firm. Quotes are held for 7 days.
- Need a specific day? A Fixed pickup day costs $200 — pickup on the date you choose, anytime that day, or your $200 comes back. Pick a date at least 5 days out.
- Leaving Florida first? Name an adult to hand over the car. You’ll get the driver’s name and phone once it’s picked up.
- Back in Ohio, have someone ready to receive the car, inspect it with the driver and note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before signing.
See our snowbirds page for how round-trip seasons work.
The way north
From the Gulf coast and Central Florida, the direct line is I-75 north through Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky to Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo, with I-71 branching off at Cincinnati toward Columbus and Cleveland. From Florida’s Atlantic coast, I-95 north to the Carolinas and I-77 through Charlotte and West Virginia lead toward Canton, Akron and Cleveland. The carrier picks the route; it’s one reason estimates for two Ohio cities can differ.
Pickup from a Florida community
If the truck can’t safely reach your address — tight condo lots, gated streets — the carrier may meet you at a nearby safe location. Tell us gate codes and access rules when you book, and we pass them to the carrier. One more thing before the driver arrives: remove your toll transponder from the car.
Open or enclosed
Most cars go home on an open carrier. If the Florida car is a convertible, a classic or something you’d rather keep shielded from weather and road debris, choose enclosed transport for +$450 per vehicle.
Your car is covered by the assigned carrier’s cargo insurance, at least $100,000. If the car is worth more, tell us before you book. Personal items aren’t covered by that insurance — keep them to 100 lbs, in the trunk or below the window line, unless your dispatcher confirms more in writing with the carrier.
Who’s driving north with your car
We don’t own trucks; as a licensed broker we arrange the carrier for you and verify them first, on every load: SMS to their FMCSA phone, insurance from the agent, the driver’s location at pickup, and a VIN-plate check against the carrier’s insured vehicles. See how our verification works.
Paying
No payment to get a quote or to book. Once a carrier is assigned, a $150 deposit is charged to your card — part of your total, not an extra fee. You pay the rest at pickup on the same card, or to the driver in Ohio (cash, Zelle, Venmo or cashier’s check) if you choose pay on delivery.
Get your price for the trip back to Ohio.