Last updated: April 2026.
Is the Amtrak Auto Train a Good Option for Getting Your Car to Florida?
Every winter, Canadian snowbirds start researching ways to avoid the long drive south by transporting their car to Florida. One option that frequently comes up is the Amtrak Auto Train, which is a service that lets you travel overnight by rail while your vehicle travels with you on the same train.
It’s a legitimate service, and for some travellers it makes genuine sense. But for Canadians specifically, the Auto Train has limitations that aren’t immediately obvious and that can make it a far less appealing option than it first appears. Here’s everything you need to know before deciding whether the Auto Train is right for your situation.
What Is the Amtrak Auto Train?
The Amtrak Auto Train is the only passenger train in the United States that carries both people and their personal vehicles. It runs once daily in each direction between Lorton, Virginia (approximately 30 minutes south of Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida, north of Orlando. The journey takes roughly 17-18 hours, departing in the late afternoon and arriving the following morning.
Passengers ride in coach seating or private sleeper accommodations while their vehicle is loaded onto enclosed rail carriers and travels alongside them. Fares start at around $95 per person, plus an additional charge for your vehicle depending on its size.
How the Process Works
To use the Auto Train, you must drive your vehicle to one of the two terminals — there are no other boarding points. After checking in at the station, Amtrak staff load your car onto the train and you board with an overnight bag. During the trip you cannot access your vehicle, and personal items left inside must be secured beforehand.
Upon arrival the next morning, there is a vehicle unloading process before you can retrieve your car. Standard unloading can take up to an hour for a full train, although Amtrak offers a Priority Vehicle Offloading option for an additional fee of around $95 that gets your car among the first 30 vehicles off.
The Problem for Canadian Snowbirds
For Canadian snowbirds, the prospect of loading your vehicle onto a train to take it south to Florida seems enticing, but the logistical reality is less appealing. The Amtrak Auto Train service is designed for Americans on the eastern seaboard, not Canadians travelling from Ontario, Quebec, or further west.
The only northbound boarding point is Lorton, Virginia, which is approximately:
- 12+ hours from Toronto
- 10+ hours from Ottawa
- 14+ hours from Montreal
That means before you can even board the train, you’ve already completed most of a gruelling day of driving. The Auto Train eliminates the Virginia-to-Florida leg of the journey — roughly 17 hours — but adds significant complexity for anyone starting from Canada. By the time you factor in the drive to Lorton, the terminal logistics, and the unloading process at Sanford, the time and cost savings for Canadian snowbirds are substantially lower than for an American traveller departing from the D.C. area.
For a snowbird based in northern Virginia or Maryland, the Auto Train is a genuinely convenient option. For a snowbird based in Toronto, it’s a much harder sell.
Other Limitations Worth Noting
Even setting aside the Canadian distance issue, the Auto Train has several constraints worth considering:
- Fixed route with no flexibility: The train serves one route only: Lorton to Sanford. If you’re departing from anywhere other than the D.C. area, or if your Florida destination is significantly north or south of Orlando, the terminal logistics add time and inconvenience to your trip.
- One departure per day: There is a single southbound and single northbound departure each day, with strict vehicle check-in deadlines. If your schedule doesn’t align, there are no alternatives.
- Vehicle size restrictions: Larger SUVs, trucks, and vehicles with roof-mounted accessories or aftermarket modifications may not be eligible. Check Amtrak’s requirements carefully before booking.
- Terminal-based, not door-to-door: The Auto Train picks up and drops off at stations, not at your home or your Florida destination. You still need to arrange transportation at both ends, or in the case of Canadian snowbirds, drive a significant distance just to reach the departure point.
- Pets not permitted: Unlike driveaway services, the Amtrak Auto Train does not allow pets on board.
Auto Train vs. Driveaway: A Side-by-Side Comparison
For customers who value flexibility and convenience, a professional vehicle driveaway service such as Cross Country Valet offers a very different experience. Instead of planning around train schedules and terminal locations, your vehicle is picked up directly from your home and delivered to your destination.
Compare the two experiences below.
| Amtrak Auto Train | Cross Country Valet | |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup location | Lorton, VA terminal only | Your door, anywhere in Canada |
| Drop-off location | Sanford, FL terminal only | Your door, anywhere in Florida |
| Canadian snowbirds | Must drive 10-14 hrs to terminal first | Picked up from your Canadian home |
| Scheduling flexibility | One departure daily, fixed dates | Your chosen date |
| Door to door | No — terminal based | Yes — fully door to door |
| Luggage in vehicle | Yes | Yes, no weight limits |
| Pets | Not permitted | Permitted in vehicle |
| Destinations served | Orlando area only | All of Florida |
| Trip duration | 17-18 hours on train + terminal logistics | 2-3 days, delivered to your door |
When the Auto Train Does Make Sense
There are situations where the Auto Train is a genuinely good option:
- You live in the Washington D.C., Maryland, or northern Virginia area
- Your Florida destination is in the Orlando region or reasonably nearby
- You enjoy the experience of overnight train travel
- Your schedule aligns with the fixed departure times
- You’re comfortable with terminal-based logistics at both ends
For these travellers, the Auto Train offers a stress-free overnight journey that avoids the I-95 corridor entirely, which is well worth paying for. But if this doesn’t describe you, you may want to consider other options.
The Better Option for Most Canadian Snowbirds
For the majority of Canadian snowbirds — those departing from Ontario, Quebec, or further west, heading to destinations beyond the Orlando area — a door-to-door driveaway service is a more practical and often more cost-effective solution.
With Cross Country Valet, a professional driver picks up your vehicle at your Canadian home address and delivers it directly to your Florida destination: no terminal logistics, no fixed schedule, no 12-hour drive to a boarding point. You book a flight, we handle the drive, and your car is waiting for you when you land.
The Best of Both Worlds
If minimizing kilometres on your vehicle is a priority, there’s a lesser-known “best of both worlds” option worth considering.
Cross Country Valet can drive your car from your Canadian home to the Lorton, Virginia terminal, load it onto the Auto Train, and ride alongside it to Sanford, Florida — then drive it the remaining distance to your final destination. You fly directly to Florida as you normally would, and we meet you there with your car.
This approach means the longest leg of the journey (Virginia to Florida) accumulates zero driving kilometres on your vehicle, since it travels by rail. For snowbirds who make the round trip twice a year and are mindful of the mileage their car racks up over many seasons, this can be a meaningful benefit.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Trip
The Amtrak Auto Train can be a good solution for a very specific type of trip, on very specific dates, along a very specific route. For many snowbirds, however, those constraints quickly become limiting.
If you’re looking for a more flexible, hands-off way to get your vehicle to Florida, a door-to-door valet service can simplify the process considerably. Whether we drive your vehicle the full distance, or utilize the Auto Train partway to cut back on mileage, you get the benefit of a flexible, stress-free delivery.
Need help weighing your options and determining what makes the most sense for your situation? We’ll be happy to walk through the logistics with you. Get in touch with us today!
FAQs About the Amtrak Auto Train
Can Canadians use the Amtrak Auto Train?
Yes, the Auto Train is open to anyone, including Canadians. However, you must get yourself and your vehicle to the Lorton, Virginia terminal to board, which adds a significant drive for most Canadian snowbirds before the train journey even begins.
How much does the Amtrak Auto Train cost?
Fares start at around $95 per person for coach seating, plus an additional vehicle charge that varies based on the size of your car. Sleeper accommodations are available at a higher price point. Priority Vehicle Offloading is an additional $95 if you want your car among the first off the train upon arrival.
Where does the Auto Train drop off in Florida?
The only southbound terminal is Sanford, Florida — approximately 30 minutes north of Orlando. If your final destination is Tampa, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or anywhere else in Florida, you’ll need to drive from Sanford once you retrieve your vehicle.
How long does the Auto Train take?
The journey from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida takes approximately 17-18 hours. Departures are in the late afternoon with arrivals the following morning. Vehicle unloading can add up to an hour before you can retrieve your car.
Is there an alternative to the Auto Train for Canadian snowbirds?
Yes — a driveaway service like Cross Country Valet is a popular alternative method of snowbird car transport, whereby your vehicle is picked up at your Canadian address and delivered door to door to your Florida destination. Many snowbirds prefer this option due to its flexibility and ease.