Shipping a Classic or Exotic Car to Fort Lauderdale for the 2027 Show Season

Winter in South Florida brings out the special cars. Owners of classics, exotics and collector cars come down for the season. Some come for the weather and the drives up A1A, some to show their cars, and some to sell or buy at auction. If you’re planning to bring a car to Fort Lauderdale for the 2027 season, here’s how to get it here safely and on time.

Book enclosed, and book early

For most classic and exotic owners, enclosed transport is the right call. The car rides inside a fully covered trailer, protected from road debris, rain, salt air and sun. Many enclosed carriers also use liftgates, so low cars don’t have to climb a steep ramp, and soft straps instead of chains.

There are far fewer enclosed trucks on the road than open ones, and the good ones book up ahead of the season. If you know your dates, reach out weeks in advance, not days. That’s especially true for the late-fall and early-winter run into South Florida, when snowbirds are moving cars down I-95 at the same time.

Ballpark enclosed starting estimates

From the live route pages, enclosed transport into Fort Lauderdale starts at:

Lane	Enclosed, from	Route page
New York to Fort Lauderdale	$1,450	view lane
Boston to Fort Lauderdale	$1,580	view lane
Chicago to Fort Lauderdale	$1,530	view lane
Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale	$920	view lane
Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale	$2,110	view lane

These are ballpark starting estimates. They change with fuel, the season and events, and high-value, oversized or non-running cars can cost more. Our cost guide explains what moves the price.

Timing around the season

South Florida’s season runs through the winter and into spring, and big local events fill hotels, roads and carrier schedules. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, for example, takes over the city each fall. In 2026 it ran October 28 to November 1. Dates for 2027 events weren’t published when we wrote this, so check each event’s official site before you lock in transport.

A few general rules:

• Arrive early. Plan for the car to arrive several days before you need it. Weather, traffic and other pickups on the same truck can shift the window.
• Leave flexibility on the way home. Spring is busy northbound as snowbirds head home. If you’re shipping back in April or May, book early.
• Need it fast? Expedited pickup narrows the pickup window. It costs more and doesn’t guarantee a delivery date, but it helps when the calendar is tight.

Questions to ask before you book

For a valuable car, ask these questions and get the answers in writing:

• Is it a hard-sided or soft-sided enclosed trailer? Both keep weather off. Hard-sided gives more protection from impacts.
• Is there a liftgate? Important for low cars, long overhangs and front splitters.
• How is the car secured? Wheel straps or soft tie-downs, not chains on the frame.
• What insurance covers the car in transit? Ask for the carrier’s certificate of insurance and check the limits against your car’s value. Talk to your own insurer too.
• How many other cars will be on the truck? Fewer cars usually means fewer stops.
• Who’s my contact during transit?

Prep for a classic or exotic

• Document everything. Take detailed, dated photos and video of every panel, the wheels, the underside if you can, and the interior. Note existing chips and imperfections.
• Tell us about quirks. Starting procedures, kill switches, alarms, low ground clearance, non-standard tie-down points, or a car that doesn’t run.
• Fuel and fluids. Leave about a quarter tank and fix any leaks before pickup.
• Remove loose items. Car covers, accessories, show trophies and anything not fixed down.
• Battery. If the car sits often, make sure the battery is charged. A tender at your destination helps.
• Alarms off. Disarm or disable the alarm so it doesn’t drain the battery or go off in transit.

Pickup and delivery in South Florida

Classic and exotic deliveries in Broward often head to places that are hard for a truck: waterfront homes on the Las Olas Isles and in Harbor Beach, high-rise garages on the Galt Ocean Mile, and gated communities in Weston, Parkland and Boca Raton. A full enclosed trailer can’t enter a parking garage. Florida law allows auto transporters up to 14 feet tall, and garages are far lower. Plan a meeting point if your building or HOA doesn’t allow trucks. Our condo and HOA pickup guide covers the details.

If you’re storing the car for part of the season, arrange delivery for when the storage facility is open and someone can receive it.

Classic and exotic questions

Is enclosed worth it for a daily-driver luxury car?

Not always. Many late-model luxury cars ship open with no problem. Enclosed makes the most sense for classics, exotics, rare cars, show cars and anything with paint you’d hate to see chipped.

Can you move a non-running classic?

Yes, with the right equipment. Tell us up front so we book a carrier with a winch.

Can I ship a car for an auction or show in another state?

Yes. Give us the event location, the arrival deadline and any delivery rules from the event organizer.

Is open transport ever fine for a classic?

Sometimes, for a sturdy driver-quality classic on a short run. For anything rare, freshly restored or low, we recommend enclosed.

CTA: Tell us the car, the destination and when you need it there for the 2027 season. We’ll come back with a ballpark enclosed starting estimate and the realistic pickup window.