Freight rail transports nearly 75% of the new cars and light trucks across the United States, with 1.8 million carloads annually — including new cars and raw materials. Many cheap car shipping companies including Amtrak auto trains help to ship cars by train to Florida. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to leverage the auto transport by rail and ship your car to Florida easily.
Can you ship car by train to Florida?
Yes, there is a train named Amtrak auto train that delivers cars and trucks nationwide. People often choose train shipping over road, sea, and air freight as it is more inexpensive given the long distance. Apart from train shipping, people also choose driveaway service, where a professional driver drives your car to Florida, offering flexibility and potentially lower costs. However, if you are visiting Florida for a short period, you can also opt for rental cars.
What is amtrak auto train?
Amtrak auto train is one such unique passenger service which helps individuals and companies ship car by train. The train provides a non-stop service between two destinations, which eliminates the need for various stops or eases the passenger from switching trains at junctions.
What route does amtrak follow?
The route Amtrak Auto Train covers the distance of 855 miles scheduled daily for passengers from Lorton, Virginia (25.9 miles — barely a 39-minutes drive away from Washington DC) to Sanford, Florida (27.3 miles — 30 minutes drive from Orlando). Amtrak Auto Train uses its customized Superliner equipment, including both passenger cars and dedicated car carriers, generally known as autoracks.
To ship your car to Florida, reserve a spot in the Amtrak’s auto train. If you live near the station, you will have to arrive at the designated time. If you do not live near Washington DC, you can get in touch with train car shipping companies to see if there is a way to get your car shipped to Lorton, VA during the check-in time from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The check-in time for standard and extended vehicles is 2:30 pm, whereby for two-wheeled motorcycles it is 2:00 pm.
What kind of vehicle can an amtrak auto train transport
The auto train transports a variety of vehicles, including vans, cars, SUVs, motorcycles, jet skis, and small boats. It primarily categorizes the cars on the basis of their sizes. And the train offers both coach and first class accomodation for these vehicles. The auto train is known for being one of the longest passenger trains in the world with a length typically of approximately 3/4th of a mile.
Vehicle accepted on the auto train
The standard vehicles usually mid-sized, full-sized, or a vehicle size in between these two sizes is accepted onboard. Extended vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, vans, and 3-rows SUVs along with two-wheeled motorcycles are also accepted. The Amtrak auto train provides the space for the vehicle according to their size.
- For standard vehicles, the maximum length and height should be 192 inches and 85 inches.
- For extended vehicles the length and height should be 216 inches and 85 inches respectively.
- For two-wheeled motorcycles, the maximum length should be 102 inches and height 72 inches.
- For oversized vehicles greater than 18 feet long, you need to reserve a second vehicle space and pay an additional amount.
Special and prohibited vehicles
There are a few special vehicles Amtrak auto trains accept, including small trailers, limousines, trikes, jet-skies, and choppers. To move these special vehicles, you will have to pay an additional fee.
The vehicles prohibited on the Amtrak auto trains include Rewaco trikes, Can-Am motorcycles, and Polaris Slingshots.
How to ship car by train to Florida
Find trusted car transport services to send your car to lorton
If you do not live near the pickup location, you can find car transportation services to ship your car to Lorton, VA. There are many companies in Ohio and its surrounding area offering door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping services to Lorton. Collect all the data of these rail car transport services and shortlist the best company, primarily focusing on:
- the reputation
- license
- experience with vehicle shipping by train
- transparency in pricing
- customer service
You can check the reputation of the company on different websites, such as Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Reddit, and Quora. If you are not choosing from any car shipping companies, you will have to drop your car to the auto train and get yourself a passenger ticket from Amtrak’s website.
Prepare Your Vehicle Before Shipping
The best part about Amtrak’s auto train is that it provides enclosed vehicle transport only, which indicates that your car will not be exposed to the dust and debris during the shipment. Nevertheless, you still need to prepare your car before shipping to ensure you receive your car in optimal condition.
Preparation Steps | Why It Is Necessary |
|---|---|
Clean your vehicle properly |
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Disable your car’s alarm |
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Prepare all your car paperwork and document your car |
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Load and unload the car
Amtrak provides a crew to load the vehicles onto the train, including the cars, motorcycles, and SUVs. All you need to do is to check in your vehicle at the time designated to you and pull up the loading area where the crew member will proceed with the loading. The same process is followed during the unloading of your car.
Conclusion
Shipping your car by train to Florida is a reliable, cost-effective, and convenient option—especially when using Amtrak’s Auto Train service. With the ability to transport various vehicle types and the comfort of enclosed transport, this method ensures both safety and peace of mind. By selecting a trusted transport company, preparing your vehicle properly, and following Amtrak’s guidelines, you can streamline the entire process. Whether you’re relocating, going on an extended stay, or just seeking to avoid a long drive, transporting your car by train is an efficient solution worth considering.
Making UK car data easy to understand, one blog at a time. As a part of CarAnalytics Content Team, she combines her SEO experts, data analysts, and digital writers dedicated to helping drivers make informed, confident car-buying decisions. She specialises in translating complex topics like MOT, write-off categories, and outstanding finance and more into clear, accessible guides.
From car tax a ULEZ rules to pricing trends and ownership tips, she covers every step of buying, selling, and owning a used car in the UK. Backed by real data and industry insight, she aims to give readers clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. When she’s not writing, she’s likely enjoying a quiet countryside drive.
