Find the Best Auto Transport in Tampa, FL

How to choose a car shipping company in Tampa

To choose the best auto transport in Tampa, you'll have to measure the cost of shipping your car against the services and reliability of each company. Often, the cheapest rates do not include insured drivers, guarantees of safety or door-to-door service. Decide how easy you want the shipping of your vehicle to be and how important safety and insurance is to you. Remember that insurance provides a safeguard against vehicle damages—damages that you'll have to pay to fix otherwise.

How much does it cost to transport a vehicle to/from Tampa?

Shipping cost is impacted by a number of variables, including the season, the city you're relocating to or from and the type of transportation you expect. In Tampa, you're likely to pay more during the winter months because a lot of people move south for the winter, so auto transport companies will be busier. If you choose to ship your car in a closed carrier, your car will be protected from weather and debris, but this service is typically more expensive than standard open carriers. Gas prices also influence price, as does the type of car you're transporting.

Tampa is a popular place for relocation. People move to the city for many reasons:

• To escape miserable winters
• To take a new job
• To attend school at the University of Southern Florida or University of Tampa
• For a military transfer at MacDill AirForce Base
• To seek medical treatment at places like Moffitt Cancer Center
• To retire

In the winter in particular, a lot of people move to Tampa temporarily or permanently from northern cities. Take a look at the estimated cost to relocate your car from these popular northern cities:

What to keep in mind to get an accurate quote

Enclosed shipping will be more expensive than an open carrier. If you're transporting a sedan, you'll pay less than if you're shipping a truck, van or SUV. Larger vehicles weigh more and tend to take up more space. Special equipment is often needed for non-running vehicles and not all companies can transport them. Make sure you ask before you make a reservation and prepare to pay more.

Geography matters, too. In Tampa, shipping costs with most carriers will be the same whether you're shipping from downtown Tampa or a suburb like Wesley Chapel or Brandon. But in other places, you may pay more for rural or remote destinations. If you're way outside of a major metropolitan area, your costs will be higher or you may have to pick up/drop off your vehicle in the nearest city.

Be flexible when it comes to scheduling your pick-up and arrival time. Depending on travel distance and the company you choose, you should expect your vehicle to arrive a few days later than originally stated. If you're willing to pay a premium, you can choose a transport plan that comes with a guaranteed day for pick-up.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises consumers to be smart when hiring an auto transport company in Tampa. Make sure you understand the difference between a broker (the company that finds you a carrier) and the actual transporter. Make sure the company you use is registered with the FMCSA and can provide a USDOT number.

Avoid being scammed by choosing from the list of trusted companies below.