Shipping a Car from Houston, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ship from Houston and the car covers about 1,145 miles heading east to Fort Lauderdale, through Texas, Louisiana and Florida. That is around 23 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 2–3 days after dispatch. Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
What Houston to Fort Lauderdale Costs
Over 1,145 miles, an open-trailer sedan runs $685–$975 ($0.72 per mile). For a larger vehicle plan on $765–$1,090, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $995–$1,415 (about 45% above open). Ending in Miami instead (42 mi from Fort Lauderdale) is estimated at $690–$980. A comparable-length trip, San Jose, CA to Denver, CO (1,103 mi), is priced at $660–$940.
| Service | Vehicle | Typical Price | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $685–$975 | Budget-friendly default |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $765–$1,090 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $765–$1,090 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $995–$1,415 | High-value or low cars |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In Florida, I-95, I-75 and the tolled Florida's Turnpike carry most traffic. Expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west in Texas. Pickup is on Central time and delivery on Eastern time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Texas and Florida are built into carrier pricing.
Timing and Seasonality
From June to November, tropical weather can force carriers to reroute near the coast, so leave a few spare days. Start getting quotes roughly three weeks ahead for a move of 1,145 miles. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Florida, afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season from June to November.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Houston. Houston sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability. The nearest major airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. A working port in the Houston area means customs and terminal release can affect timing for some vehicles.
Delivery in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Fort Lauderdale has port activity, so imported or exported vehicles may need extra release time. South Florida port and snowbird destination on I-95/I-595, busy every fall and spring.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Houston can change the price on a 1,145-mile lane.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Houston.