Whether you're moving a fishing boat across Florida, bringing a cruiser home after buying it out of state, or sending your boat south for the winter, the process is the same: describe your boat and route once, and we pass your request to up to three independent boat transporters who serve Florida.
Where boats move in Florida
Boat transport requests in Florida commonly involve:
- South Florida and the Keys (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach)
- Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast (Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers)
- the Panhandle (Destin, Panama City, Pensacola)
- Northeast Florida and the St. Johns River (Jacksonville)
- inland lakes around Orlando and Lake Okeechobee
Best time to ship a boat in Florida
Florida is the biggest destination for boats moving south. Demand peaks in October–December as northern owners bring boats down for winter, and again in April–June when many go back north. Booking early in those windows helps. Summer is quieter, but hurricane season (June–November) can disrupt schedules near the coast.
Typical boat transport costs from Florida
Indicative ranges for common moves out of Florida, from our boat shipping cost calculator. Distances are approximate road miles between state centres, so your actual route may differ. These are not quotes.
| Route | Approx. miles | 20 ft boat on own trailer | 26 ft, 8.5 ft beam | 34 ft, 11 ft beam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida → Georgia | ~400 | $500–$1,050 | $750–$1,300 | $1,250–$2,500 |
| Florida → North Carolina | ~640 | $800–$1,650 | $1,200–$2,100 | $2,000–$3,950 |
| Florida → New York | ~1,290 | $1,500–$3,200 | $2,200–$4,000 | $3,600–$7,600 |
| Florida → New Jersey | ~1,110 | $1,400–$2,900 | $2,100–$3,600 | $3,450–$6,900 |
| Florida → Michigan | ~1,300 | $1,500–$3,250 | $2,200–$4,000 | $3,650–$7,650 |
| Florida → Texas | ~1,300 | $1,500–$3,250 | $2,200–$4,000 | $3,650–$7,650 |
Ranges use published 2026 per-mile rates with adjustments for width and trailer. See how the calculator works.
Boat transport to Florida: the snowbird routes
Florida receives more long-distance boat moves than any other state. The main patterns are:
- Northeast to Florida (New York, New Jersey, New England) along I-95, typically 1,000–1,500 road miles to South Florida.
- Midwest to Florida (Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota) via I-75 or I-65, often 1,100–1,700 miles.
- Gulf Coast moves along I-10 between Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
- Buying a boat in Florida: Florida has a very large used-boat market, so many boats also move out of the state after a sale.
Transporters that run these corridors regularly can sometimes offer better prices when your dates line up with their trips. Southbound demand peaks in autumn and northbound in spring, so a boat going against the flow can sometimes be cheaper.
Regional considerations inside Florida
South Florida and the Keys
Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach have dense marinas and dry-stack storage, and many boats are lifted by forklift rather than travel lift. The Overseas Highway to the Keys is a long two-lane road with limited places for wide loads to pull over, which affects oversize moves.
Gulf Coast (Tampa Bay to Naples)
Lots of backyard canals and boat lifts. If your boat lives on a residential lift, the transporter (or a local marina) needs a way to get it onto the trailer, usually at a nearby ramp or yard.
The Panhandle
Destin, Panama City and Pensacola sit on the I-10 corridor, convenient for moves to and from Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.
Northeast Florida and the St. Johns River
Jacksonville is the first major Florida stop on I-95, and a common pickup and delivery point for boats moving along the East Coast.
Hurricane season and boat moves
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Some owners move boats inland or out of state ahead of the peak (August–October), and storms can disrupt schedules and close marinas at short notice. If you're moving a boat in late summer, build flexibility into your dates and check your insurance's named-storm requirements.
Common boats moved in Florida
Center consoles and bay boats dominate, followed by cruisers, pontoons on inland lakes, and sailboats on both coasts. Many center consoles over 26 ft are wider than 8 ft 6 in and need permits. See our center console section.
Oversize permits and escorts in Florida
Florida requires an oversize permit for loads over 8 ft 6 in wide. Published summaries of Florida rules commonly describe daytime-only movement and no weekend or holiday travel for loads over about 10 ft wide, and escort vehicles for loads over about 12 ft wide, with more escorts for wider loads. Your transporter obtains the permits and plans the route. See our guide to oversize boat transport permits.
Pickup and delivery tips for Florida
Many Florida boats live at marinas, dry-stack storage or in waterfront backyards. Tell transporters whether the boat is in the water, on a lift, in dry storage or on a trailer, and whether a forklift or travel lift is available at pickup and delivery.
How to get boat transport quotes in Florida
- Enter your pickup and delivery ZIP codes and boat details in our quote form.
- We share your request with up to three suitable transporters.
- Compare their quotes, check their USDOT/MC authority and insurance, and choose.
Boat transport in other states
Texas · Michigan · Minnesota · New York · North Carolina · California · All states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a boat from Florida?
It depends on distance, boat size and width. For example, our calculator estimates $750–$1,300 to move a 26 ft, 8.5 ft-wide boat from Florida to Georgia (about 400 miles). Get real quotes for an exact price.
Do I need a permit to transport my boat in Florida?
If the loaded width is over 8 ft 6 in (102 in), or the height or weight exceeds legal limits, an oversize permit is needed in Florida and in every other state on the route. Professional transporters obtain these permits.
Can you move a boat within Florida?
Yes. You can request quotes for in-state moves as well as interstate moves to or from Florida.
Last reviewed 2026-11-15.