Car shipping from Orlando, FL to Ottawa, ON
Spring is when snowbirds head home. Between March and May, cars that spent the winter in Florida go back north, and Ottawa, ON is a common end point. Post the return trip once and compare written quotes from verified companies.
- Distance
- About 1,400 miles (2,250 km)
- Typical transit
- 3–6 days after pickup
- Usual route
- North on I-95 and I-81, then the Thousand Islands or Ogdensburg–Prescott crossing
- Border
- Crosses the US–Canada border
Distance is our estimate from the two city centres. Transit times are typical ranges, not promises; each company writes its own in its quote.
About this route
Once your car is on the truck, a trip of this length typically takes about 3–6 days, including time at the border. Before that comes the pickup window: carriers combine several cars into one load, so pickup is usually within a few days of your first available date, sooner if your dates are flexible. Every quote states the company's own pickup window and transit time, so you can compare them side by side.
Orlando, FL: Florida is the top snowbird destination for Ontario, Québec and the US Northeast, so southbound demand peaks from October to December and northbound demand from March to May.
Ottawa, ON: Ontario is the biggest snowbird source in Canada: cars go from the Toronto area, Ottawa and southwestern Ontario to Florida every fall and come back in spring.
Main highways in Ontario: Highway 401, the QEW, Highway 400 and Highway 417. In busy downtown areas, carriers often ask to meet at a wide street or parking lot nearby, since a full car carrier is about 75 feet (23 m) long.
When to ship from Orlando, FL to Ottawa, ON
Spring return
Northbound demand peaks from March to May as snowbirds head home. Post before your own departure date so the car is on its way when you are, and say in your notes if someone else will hand over the keys.
Winter weather
Winters in Ontario bring snow and road salt, roughly December to March. Carriers keep running, but a storm can push pickup or delivery by a day or two. A car on an open carrier will arrive salty, so plan a wash.
Hurricane season
Hurricane season on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts runs from June 1 to November 30. A storm can delay pickup or delivery near the coast, and carriers won't load or unload during an evacuation.
Peak moving season
June to August is the busiest moving season in North America: school-year moves, new jobs and military transfers all land in summer. Posting early gives you more quotes and more choice of dates.
Open or enclosed on this route?
Most cars on this route travel on open carriers, the multi-car trucks you see on every highway. It's the most common choice and the one most carriers on this lane run.
In winter an open car will pick up salt spray on the way; an enclosed trailer keeps it clean and covered.
Snowbirds often ship a convertible or a second car they want to keep nice; enclosed transport is worth comparing for anything you'd rather not expose to winter road spray.
Strong sun at the southern end of the trip is another reason owners of classic and dark-painted cars choose enclosed.
For classic, exotic, lowered or brand-new cars, ask for enclosed quotes too: you can say in your notes that you'd like both and compare them side by side.
Paperwork for the US to Canada
Only companies that handle cross-border work will quote this trip, and each quote should say who prepares and files the paperwork.
- Canadian car coming home: if this is a Canadian-registered car returning after a stay in the US, it is not an import. Carriers that cross the border usually ask for the ownership (registration), a copy of your ID, proof of insurance and a signed letter allowing them to bring the car across.
- US car moving to Canada for good: it is imported through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program, and the car must be admissible under Transport Canada's rules. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires the title and export documents to be presented at least 72 hours before the car leaves the US. After that, register it with ServiceOntario. A vehicle coming from another province or from the US needs a Safety Standards Certificate before it can be plated in Ontario.
Rules change; confirm with the company you book and with CBSA or CBP before the car moves. This is general information, not legal advice.
How it works here
Same three steps on every route, and nobody gets your phone number unless you book them.
Post once
Vehicle, pickup and delivery cities, first available date, open or enclosed, and a few photos. About two minutes, free.
Verified companies quote in writing
Checked carriers and brokers (USDOT/MC or NSC/CVOR plus insurance) send a written price, pickup window and transit time to your private dashboard.
No spam calls
Message companies in-app. Your name, phone and street address go only to the company you book.
Questions about this route
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Ship your car from Orlando, FL to Ottawa, ON
Post once in about two minutes. Verified companies answer in writing; your phone stays private.