Every year, thousands of drivers heading south search for the Auto Train to Florida. Amtrak’s Auto Train carries you and your car overnight between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida, so you can skip about 855 miles of I-95. It is a great fit for some trips, but it is not the only way to get a car to Florida, and for many people it is not the cheapest or the most convenient. This guide explains exactly how the Auto Train works, what it costs, who it suits, and how it compares with door-to-door car shipping, so you can choose the right option for your move or your winter season.
NIKI Auto Transport ships cars to and from Florida every day. If you decide that shipping is the better fit, our Florida car shipping page has route details and a free quote form.
In this guide
- What is the Amtrak Auto Train?
- How the Auto Train works, step by step
- Auto Train to Florida cost
- Vehicle rules and restrictions
- What the trip is like on board
- How car shipping to Florida works
- Auto Train vs. car shipping: side-by-side
- Which is better for your trip?
- Total cost examples
- Tips for snowbirds
- Booking tips for either option
- FAQ
What is the Amtrak Auto Train?
The Auto Train is a special Amtrak service that carries passengers and their vehicles on the same train. It is the only train of its kind in the United States. It runs nonstop between two stations:
- Lorton, Virginia, about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C.
- Sanford, Florida, about 25 miles north of Orlando.
The train makes no passenger stops in between. You drive to one of the two stations, check in your car, ride overnight in a coach seat or a private room, and drive your own car away the next morning at the other end. The trip covers roughly 855 miles and takes about 17 hours.
Auto Train schedule
Trains run daily in both directions on a fixed schedule. Amtrak’s published timetable shows:
| Direction | Departs | Arrives (next morning) |
|---|---|---|
| Southbound (Train 53) | Lorton, VA at about 4:00 p.m. | Sanford, FL at about 9:00 a.m. |
| Northbound (Train 52) | Sanford, FL at about 4:00 p.m. | Lorton, VA at about 9:00 a.m. |
Times can change, so always confirm the current timetable with Amtrak when you book.
You must bring a vehicle
Unlike a regular train, every Auto Train reservation includes a vehicle. You cannot ride the Auto Train as a passenger only. If you do not have a car, you must travel with someone who does.
How the Auto Train works, step by step
- Book online or by phone. You choose your travel date, your accommodation (coach seat, roomette or bedroom) and your vehicle type. Prices change with demand, so earlier bookings are usually cheaper.
- Drive to the station. You have to get your car to Lorton or Sanford yourself. If you live in New York, New Jersey or New England, that means driving several hours to Northern Virginia first.
- Check in your vehicle. Vehicle check-in opens at about 11:30 a.m. The cutoff is about 2:30 p.m. for standard vehicles and motorcycles, and earlier, around 2:00 p.m., for oversized vehicles and Priority Offloading customers. Amtrak states that check-in times are firm; if you arrive late, you can miss the train.
- Your car is loaded. Staff photograph your vehicle, give it a number and drive it onto an enclosed auto rack car. You will not be able to get into your car during the trip, so take your overnight bag, medications and valuables with you.
- Board the train. You ride in the passenger cars and depart around 4:00 p.m.
- Arrive the next morning. The train arrives around 9:00 a.m. Vehicles are unloaded in random order, so you may wait anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour for your car unless you paid for Priority Offloading.
- Drive away. From Sanford, you still drive to your final destination, for example about 230 miles to Miami or about 130 miles to Tampa.
How much does the Auto Train to Florida cost?
The Auto Train does not have a fixed price. Your total is the sum of three parts:
- A vehicle fare, which depends on the type and size of the vehicle.
- A passenger fare for every person, which depends on whether you choose a coach seat or a private room.
- Optional extras, such as Priority Offloading.
Fares are demand-based. They rise sharply in peak snowbird season, when many people head south in the fall and north in the spring, and around holidays and spring break. A coach trip booked well in advance in a quiet week costs far less than a bedroom booked a week before Thanksgiving. Sleeper rooms are priced per room and can cost several times as much as coach seats.
To compare fairly, always check the full price for your exact date, number of travelers and accommodation on Amtrak’s site, then add the costs of getting to and from the stations (see the cost examples below).
What is included
- Transportation for you and your vehicle between Lorton and Sanford
- Meals for sleeper passengers (typically dinner and breakfast)
- Food and drinks for purchase for coach passengers
- Your car rides inside an enclosed auto rack
What is not included
- Driving to Lorton and from Sanford to your final destination, including gas, tolls and possibly a hotel
- Door-to-door service: the train only serves those two stations
- Access to your car during the trip
Auto Train vehicle rules and restrictions
Most family cars, SUVs, minivans and many pickup trucks are accepted, but the Auto Train has strict size and type rules. Check Amtrak’s current vehicle requirements before you book. Common restrictions include:
- Width: Vehicles wider than about 84 inches including mirrors cannot be carried.
- Length: Longer vehicles, roughly over 18 feet, need special arrangements and cost more.
- Height: Tall vans and lifted trucks may exceed height limits. Roof boxes, bike racks and other rooftop items count toward the height, length and width limits.
- Prohibited vehicles: Dual-rear-wheel trucks and vehicles with gull-wing or scissor doors are not allowed. Some three-wheel vehicles and trikes are not permitted.
- Motorcycles: Standard two-wheel motorcycles are accepted, with an earlier check-in.
- Belongings: You can usually leave some luggage inside your car, but you will not be able to reach it during the trip. Hazardous items, such as spare fuel cans, are not allowed.
If your vehicle does not meet the Auto Train rules, car shipping is usually the simpler option. Car carriers can handle lifted trucks, dually pickups, exotic cars with scissor doors, and vehicles that do not run.
What the Auto Train trip is like on board
Coach
Coach seats are wide and recline, with leg rests, but you sleep sitting up. Coach is the most affordable way to ride. Bring a pillow, a blanket and earplugs.
Roomette
A roomette is a small private room for one or two people, with two seats that turn into upper and lower berths. Restrooms and a shower are down the hall. Meals are usually included.
Bedroom
A bedroom is larger, with a private toilet and shower and more space to move around. It is the most comfortable and most expensive option.
Traveling with pets, children and older relatives
Check Amtrak’s current pet policy before you book, because rules for pets on the Auto Train differ from those on regular Amtrak trains and may limit where pets can travel. Children often enjoy the train, but a long night in coach can be hard on young kids and older travelers, which is why many families choose a sleeper.
How car shipping to Florida works
Car shipping works differently. Instead of traveling with your car, you hand it to a licensed carrier, and you travel however you like, usually by plane.
- Request a quote with your pickup and delivery addresses, vehicle and dates.
- Book and choose open car transport (most common) or enclosed car transport (extra protection, similar to the Auto Train’s enclosed rack).
- Pickup: A carrier picks up the car at your home, or as close as a large truck can safely reach, during a pickup window.
- Transit: The car travels on a multi-car carrier. From the Northeast to Florida, transit usually takes two to five days after pickup.
- Delivery: The car is delivered to your Florida address, and you inspect it with the driver before signing.
The key difference: shipping is door-to-door from almost anywhere, while the Auto Train only runs between two stations.
Auto Train vs. car shipping: side-by-side comparison
| Amtrak Auto Train | Car shipping | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Only Lorton, VA ↔ Sanford, FL | Door to door from almost any U.S. address |
| You travel with the car? | Yes, on the same train | No, you fly or travel separately |
| Trip length | About 17 hours overnight, plus driving to and from stations | Usually 2–5 days in transit from the Northeast, after a pickup window |
| Exact schedule | Fixed daily departure | Pickup and delivery windows |
| Vehicle restrictions | Strict width, length and height limits; some vehicle types prohibited | Handles most vehicles, including lifted trucks, exotics and non-running cars |
| Number of travelers | Every passenger pays a fare | Price is the same no matter how many people travel |
| Protection for the car | Enclosed auto rack | Open carrier, or enclosed transport for extra protection |
| Belongings in the car | Some luggage allowed, no access during the trip | Personal items generally not allowed or covered |
| Best for | Travelers near Washington, D.C., who want to ride with the car and arrive in Central Florida | Anyone outside the Lorton area, anyone flying, and anyone with a non-standard vehicle |
Which is better for your trip?
Choose the Auto Train if:
- You live in or near Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., or Maryland.
- You are going to Central Florida, near Orlando, Daytona Beach or The Villages.
- You want to travel with your car and have it the moment you arrive.
- You enjoy train travel and do not mind the station-to-station drive.
- You are traveling alone or as a couple, so passenger fares stay manageable.
Choose car shipping if:
- You live far from Lorton, for example in New York, New England, the Midwest, Texas or the West Coast.
- You are going to South Florida, Southwest Florida or the Panhandle, far from Sanford.
- You would rather take a two- or three-hour flight than spend a day getting to the station and a night on the train.
- You are moving a large family, where several passenger fares add up quickly.
- Your vehicle is too wide, too tall, too long, a dually, an exotic, a classic or not running.
- You are shipping two cars and only one or two people are traveling.
- Peak-season Auto Train dates are sold out or very expensive.
Popular routes where shipping usually wins
For moves from the Northeast, the drive just to reach Lorton can take four to eight hours. Compare our routes for New York to Florida car shipping, New Jersey to Florida car shipping, Pennsylvania to Florida car shipping and Massachusetts to Florida car shipping. Even from Virginia, shipping is worth comparing on our Virginia to Florida car shipping page if you are going south of Orlando.
Total cost examples: what to include
To compare the two options honestly, count everything, not just the ticket price.
Example 1: A couple from Northern Virginia going to Orlando
This is the Auto Train’s ideal trip. The drive to Lorton is short, and Sanford is about 30 minutes from Orlando. Add up two passenger fares, the vehicle fare and any sleeper upgrade, then compare that with a shipping quote plus two one-way flights. The Auto Train is often competitive here, especially in coach and outside peak weeks.
Example 2: A family of four from New York City going to Miami
For the Auto Train, count:
- About 230 miles of driving from New York to Lorton, with tolls and gas
- Four passenger fares, or two sleeper rooms if you want beds
- The vehicle fare
- About 230 miles of driving from Sanford to Miami, with tolls and gas
- Most of two days of travel
For shipping, count the shipping quote from your New York address to your Miami address plus four flights, which often take about three hours. For a family, shipping often costs about the same or less and saves a full day or more.
Example 3: Two cars, one driver, Boston to Naples
Using the Auto Train means driving both cars, or making two trips. Shipping both cars on one carrier is usually simpler and often cheaper, and you can fly down when they arrive.
Hidden costs to remember
- Gas, tolls and wear on the drive to and from the stations
- A hotel if you live far from Lorton and want to arrive the day before
- Meals on the road and on the train
- Time off work
- Pet boarding or pet travel costs
Other ways to get your car to Florida
Driving yourself on I-95 or I-75
Driving is the most flexible option and can be the cheapest for a single driver from the Southeast. From the Northeast, the I-95 drive is roughly 1,000 to 1,500 miles, usually two long days with a hotel night. From the Midwest, I-75 takes a similar time. Factor in fuel, tolls, a hotel, meals, and the wear of more than a thousand miles on your car. Winter weather in the Northeast and Midwest can make the first day of the trip difficult between December and March.
Hiring a driver
Some people hire a professional driver to drive their car south. This gets the car to your door but adds those same miles to the odometer, and you pay for the driver’s time, fuel, lodging and return flight. For most people, a car carrier is simpler and puts no miles on the car.
Shipping with a car carrier
A carrier moves your car door to door with no added miles, and you can fly down on your own schedule. For many snowbirds, this is the easiest option, especially when the car needs to arrive before or after they do.
Tips for snowbirds
Seasonal residents make up a large share of Auto Train riders and car shipping customers alike. A few lessons from snowbird season:
- Book early either way. Southbound demand peaks from October through December, and northbound demand peaks from March through May. Auto Train sleepers and peak-season shipping dates both fill early.
- Travel against the flow if you can. Heading south in late spring or summer, or north in the fall, is usually cheaper for both trains and carriers.
- Consider shipping both directions. Many snowbirds book their car south in the fall and north in the spring with the same company, then simply fly. Our snowbird car shipping service is designed for that.
- Check your Florida registration rules. Part-time residents can often keep their home-state registration, but full-time residents must register their car within 10 days. See our guide to moving to Florida with a car.
- Going home in spring? See Florida to New York car shipping and Florida to New Jersey car shipping.
Booking tips for either option
If you choose the Auto Train
- Book as early as possible, especially for sleepers in peak season.
- Measure your vehicle, including roof racks and mirrors, and compare it with Amtrak’s current limits.
- Arrive at the station well before the vehicle check-in cutoff.
- Pack an overnight bag, because you cannot reach your car on board.
- Consider Priority Offloading if you need to get on the road quickly in Sanford.
If you choose car shipping
- Book four to six weeks ahead for peak snowbird weeks.
- Choose a licensed company and check its USDOT and MC numbers with the FMCSA. Our page on auto transport brokers vs. carriers explains what to look for.
- Get your price in writing. NIKI’s Price Guarantee means the price we quote is the price you pay once you book.
- Remove personal items and leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Inspect the car with the driver at pickup and delivery, and keep your copy of the bill of lading.
Why many travelers choose NIKI for Florida car shipping
NIKI Auto Transport is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker (USDOT 4535689, MC-1799148). We arrange door-to-door car shipping to every part of Florida with vetted, insured carriers, from Jacksonville and Pensacola to Orlando, Tampa, Naples and Miami. You get open or enclosed transport, updates from pickup to delivery and a written price backed by NIKI’s Price Guarantee.
Compare the Auto Train with a real quote: visit our Florida car shipping and car transport services page, or call (818) 732-1805.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Auto Train to Florida start and end?
The Auto Train runs nonstop between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. It makes no other passenger stops.
How long is the Auto Train ride to Florida?
About 17 hours. Trains typically leave around 4:00 p.m. and arrive around 9:00 the next morning, but confirm the current timetable with Amtrak.
How much does the Auto Train to Florida cost?
The price combines a vehicle fare, a fare for each passenger and any upgrades such as a sleeper room or Priority Offloading. Fares change with demand and are highest in peak snowbird season and around holidays.
Can I ride the Auto Train without a car?
No. Every Auto Train reservation must include a vehicle. Travelers without a car must ride with someone who brings one.
Is it cheaper to take the Auto Train or ship my car to Florida?
It depends on where you start, where you are going and how many people are traveling. The Auto Train is often competitive for one or two travelers near Washington, D.C., heading to Central Florida. For families, for drivers far from Lorton and for destinations in South or Southwest Florida, car shipping plus a flight is often similar in cost or cheaper, and faster.
What vehicles are not allowed on the Auto Train?
Vehicles wider than about 84 inches including mirrors, dual-rear-wheel trucks and vehicles with gull-wing or scissor doors are not allowed, and long or tall vehicles may need special arrangements. Check Amtrak’s current vehicle requirements before you book.
Amtrak, Auto Train and their schedules, fares and vehicle rules are controlled by Amtrak and can change. NIKI Auto Transport is not affiliated with Amtrak. Confirm current details at amtrak.com before you book.