Spring is here — time to head home. Ship your car from Florida to Michigan door-to-door, fully insured, $0 upfront. The Detroit metro's most trusted snowbird return route.
"We go to Naples every fall and come back to Michigan in April. Lepke ships our car both ways. Never a problem in 6 years."
"Fort Lauderdale to Ann Arbor in 4 days. Pickup was right at my condo. Delivered to my driveway. Couldn't ask for better."
"Sarasota to Detroit — my Cadillac arrived in perfect condition. Lepke is professional, communicative, and worth every penny."
Michigan sends more snowbirds to Florida than nearly any other Great Lakes state. The Detroit metro, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and surrounding communities have deep, multi-generational snowbird traditions — and a large share of those winter residents ship their cars rather than drive the 1,300-mile round trip twice a year. At Lepke Auto Transport, we manage thousands of Florida–Michigan shipments annually and understand this corridor's seasonal rhythms better than any national broker.
The Florida-to-Michigan spring return corridor runs primarily along I-75 — straight north through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio before crossing into Michigan. It's one of the cleanest interstate routes in the Eastern U.S., with excellent carrier coverage throughout. Transit time runs 3–5 days depending on your Florida pickup point and Michigan delivery city.
Spring return season timing: Most Michigan snowbirds head home between late March and early May, when Michigan winter finally releases its grip and Florida summer heat starts to build. The peak return window is typically mid-April. If you're planning a spring return, book by early March to secure your preferred dates and avoid peak-demand pricing.
The Detroit metro area — including Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, Livonia, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, and surrounding communities — is Michigan's largest snowbird source market. We have strong carrier coverage into the entire metro, including both the east and west suburbs. West Michigan snowbirds returning to Grand Rapids, Holland, or Kalamazoo are equally well served — these cities sit right on the I-75/I-96 corridor, and carriers run through regularly.
⚠️ Book before peak season: Florida-to-Michigan demand peaks sharply in April. Snowbirds who wait until late March or April to book often face 1–2 week wait times and higher pricing. Book your spring return by early March — especially if you're departing from popular retirement communities like Naples, Sarasota, Boca Raton, or The Villages.
Before your vehicle ships from Florida, remove all personal items from the interior, note any existing chips or scratches, photograph the car thoroughly, and keep the fuel level under a quarter tank. Our vehicle preparation guide covers exactly what to do before your carrier arrives. The Bill of Lading signed at pickup creates a legal condition record that protects you if any issue arises during transit.
We ship all vehicle types: sedans, SUVs, trucks, minivans, classic cars, and inoperable vehicles. Open transport is standard and appropriate for most vehicles. For high-value, classic, or show cars, consider enclosed transport for the extra protection it provides during the northbound spring run.
We pick up throughout Florida — Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, and Central Florida communities.
Door-to-door delivery throughout Michigan — Greater Detroit, West Michigan, and beyond.
Typical open-transport pricing for the northbound spring return. Peak season (April) adds $75–$150 — book early for the best rates.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami → Detroit | ~1,380 mi | 4–5 days | $1,050–$1,300 |
| Sarasota → Ann Arbor | ~1,270 mi | 3–5 days | $980–$1,250 |
| Fort Lauderdale → Grand Rapids | ~1,425 mi | 4–5 days | $1,050–$1,300 |
| Naples → Lansing | ~1,370 mi | 4–5 days | $1,000–$1,280 |
| Tampa → Troy MI | ~1,235 mi | 3–5 days | $960–$1,230 |
| Fort Myers → Warren MI | ~1,325 mi | 4–5 days | $990–$1,250 |
| Orlando → Flint | ~1,210 mi | 3–5 days | $950–$1,200 |
*Estimates for standard open-car transport. Enclosed transport, oversized vehicles, and inoperable cars are priced separately. Peak April demand can add $75–$150 to base rates.
We've managed the Florida–Michigan corridor for over 30 years. We know the peak windows, the best booking timing, and how to keep your spring return on track.
Your quote is your final price — no bait-and-switch, no spring demand surcharges added after booking. What we quote is what you pay.
A single logistics expert manages your Florida-to-Michigan shipment. You always know who to call and what's happening with your vehicle.
Nothing due until a verified carrier is dispatched. Zero financial risk — you pay only when we've secured your carrier.
Every carrier is fully insured and FMCSA licensed. Your vehicle is covered from Florida pickup to Michigan delivery.
Our massive network keeps FL-to-MI transit times fast even during the April spring return rush.
Enter your Florida pickup and Michigan delivery address for a locked-in price in minutes.
A vetted carrier comes right to your Florida home or condo — no depot drop-off needed.
Your car arrives at your Michigan address in 3–5 days, ready for the summer season.
Most Michigan snowbirds return between late March and early May. The sweet spot is typically mid-to-late April when Michigan weather becomes reliably pleasant. To avoid peak demand pricing and wait times, book by early March for a March 15–April 30 departure. Waiting until April to book means competing for carrier slots during the single busiest northbound week on the Florida–Michigan corridor.
Absolutely — and many of our Michigan customers do exactly that, year after year. We handle the southbound run in November and the northbound spring return in April. Once you're in our system, rebooking takes minutes. Some regular customers book both legs at the start of the season to secure pricing and availability for the full snowbird cycle. We even offer loyalty discounts for repeat customers.
3–5 days once the carrier picks up your vehicle in Florida. South Florida pickups (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton) to Detroit typically run 4–5 days. From West Coast Florida communities (Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota) add half a day to a day for the drive to the I-75 corridor. We provide a confirmed delivery window at booking. Need it faster? Ask about our expedited transport option.
Michigan in March and early April can still see snow. Our drivers are experienced in Midwest and Great Lakes weather and adjust transit as needed. We build weather buffers into spring scheduling — especially for deliveries to northern Michigan or upper peninsula destinations. If a significant storm affects delivery timing, your rep will contact you immediately with an updated window. We don't pretend weather doesn't exist.
Open transport is the right choice for the vast majority of vehicles — it's safe, reliable, and cost-effective. Enclosed transport adds 40–60% to the cost and is best reserved for classic cars, luxury or exotic vehicles, or cars where any cosmetic imperfection would be unacceptable. If you're shipping a show car, a classic, or a vehicle worth $80,000+, consider enclosed. For everyday vehicles — SUVs, sedans, trucks — open transport is the industry standard and completely appropriate.