Minneapolis-St. Paul to Key West is one of the longer Midwest snowbird hauls. The drive is roughly 1,800 to 1,900 miles, and it starts in a climate that can turn wintry while Florida is still thinking about Halloween. That is why many Twin Cities households fly down and ship the car rather than spend three or four days crossing the middle of the country and then running the Overseas Highway to Mile 0.
Key West Auto Shipping is operated by In-N-Out Keys LLC, operating out of Marathon at 9981 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050, and serving the entire Florida Keys from MM 0 to MM 112. For a Minnesota shipment, a trusted, licensed partner carrier handles the long interstate leg to Florida, and our own truck and driver handle the Key West delivery.
At a glance
- Route: Minneapolis-St. Paul and the rest of Minnesota → Key West (Mile 0)
- Typical distance: Roughly 1,800–1,900 miles
- How it works: A trusted, licensed partner carrier runs the long haul to Florida; In-N-Out Keys’ own truck and driver handle the Keys leg down US-1
- Best booking window: Book early for October–December southbound and April–May northbound, and offer a pickup window of a few days
- Open vs enclosed: Open is the standard, more economical choice for daily drivers; enclosed suits classics, convertibles and high-value cars
- Minnesota tip: Plan the southbound pickup a little earlier, or build a wider window around early-winter weather
If you are new to shipping onto the island, Ship a Car to Key West explains the overall process. This guide focuses on the Minneapolis-St. Paul origin and on the timing Minnesota snowbirds have to get right.
Why Minnesota timing is a little earlier
The usual Keys snowbird pattern still holds: south in October through December, back north in April and May. From Minnesota, the front of that window matters more. A mid-November pickup in the Twin Cities can already involve snow, ice, or a car that has been in a tight garage since the first hard freeze.
| When | Direction | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| October | Southbound | Some customers prefer an October pickup so the car is in Key West before early winter sets in. |
| November – December | Southbound | Snow and ice are possible at pickup; holiday weeks are the hardest to schedule. Build a wider window. |
| April – May | Northbound | Spring is its own peak. Mention your return dates when you book the trip down. |
Others wait until after Thanksgiving and build a wider window around the weather. Either way, avoid treating pickup as a single guaranteed afternoon.
Our post on shipping a car out of Key West after the season covers the island side of the trip home.
Pickup in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and beyond
Most Minnesota pickups we arrange are in the Twin Cities and the first ring of suburbs, including Bloomington, Edina, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eagan, Maple Grove, and Woodbury. A full-size car hauler needs room to stop and drop a ramp, which can be difficult on a narrow parkway or in a low-clearance garage, so a meet at a wide lot near I-35W, I-94, I-494, or I-694 is a normal solution.
Rochester, St. Cloud, and Duluth are workable origins as well, though they may need a bit more coordination. If the car is coming out of storage, a dealership, or a relative’s driveway, we can often pick it up there as long as someone can meet the driver with keys and sign the inspection. Include those details when you request a quote.
How the car gets from Minnesota to Mile 0
The long haul is handled by a partner carrier we name before you book. When the vehicle reaches Florida, In-N-Out Keys takes the final leg down US-1, including the 18-Mile Stretch and the Seven Mile Bridge, and delivers in Key West. That last stretch is slower than the interstate, and a transporter cannot always reach the front door.
| Step | What happens | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Quote | You share your pickup ZIP, Keys address, vehicle and a preferred window. We confirm the plan and name the partner carrier before you book. | In-N-Out Keys |
| 2. Pickup | The partner carrier loads the car in the Twin Cities or another Minnesota origin. | Licensed partner carrier |
| 3. Long haul | The car travels the interstate leg to Florida. | Licensed partner carrier |
| 4. Keys leg | Our truck runs US-1, the 18-Mile Stretch and the Seven Mile Bridge, then delivers in Key West. | In-N-Out Keys’ own truck and driver |
| 5. Delivery | Walk the car together, in daylight if you can, and compare it with your photos and the bill of lading before you sign. | You and our driver |
Transit time depends on distance, weather, the season, and how the two legs line up. We give you a realistic window rather than a guaranteed number of days.
Many Minnesota travelers fly out of Minneapolis-St. Paul and arrive in Key West directly or through Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Tell us your travel dates so we can aim the delivery window at the days you will be on the island, or name a local contact if the car may arrive first.
Key West delivery: what to plan for
Old Town
Old Town streets are narrow, often one-way, and shaded by trees and power lines. If the truck cannot stop at your cottage or guest house, we will arrange a nearby corner or a larger lot, commonly the old Sears center lot on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Our Old Town delivery guide walks through that decision.
NAS Key West
If you are reporting to NAS Key West, the driver often cannot enter the installation. A planned meet just off base, then a handoff to you or your sponsor, is the usual approach. See Military PCS to Key West if that is your situation.
Stock Island and the Lower Keys
Stock Island and other nearby Lower Keys addresses can be easier for a truck than Old Town, but marina lots and gated yards still need a plan; details are on our Stock Island and Lower Keys page.
Open versus enclosed, and winter prep
Open transport
- The standard choice for most daily drivers
- The more economical option
- A wash, including the underside, makes the pickup inspection clearer after a Minnesota winter
Enclosed transport
- Worth a look for a classic, a convertible, or a high-value car
- Keeps the car off snow, salt, and road spray for a haul this long
- Large enclosed trailers are not always a good fit on US-1 or in Old Town, so some shipments finish the Key West leg on a smaller open trailer
We will explain the plan before you book.
Before pickup
- Wash the car (including the underside if you can) and take your own dated photos
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
- Remove toll transponders, valuables and documents
- Personal items are restricted by federal rules; some carriers allow a modest amount by agreement, often up to about 100 pounds, so confirm before pickup
At delivery, walk the car in daylight if you can and compare it with your photos and the bill of lading before you sign.
Pricing and payment
Your price depends on the vehicle, timing, open versus enclosed transport, and the exact pickup and delivery addresses. Fuel costs and truck availability also change through the season. We would rather quote your actual Minnesota-to-Key West route than invent a number here, so request a quote with your ZIP codes and dates.
Most carriers accept COD (usually certified funds: cashier’s check, money order, or cash), but fewer take billed payments, so paying the balance on delivery lets us line up the best carrier for your route. A deposit may be collected when you book, and your quote spells out what is due and when.
Get a Minnesota-to-Key West quote
Share your Twin Cities or other Minnesota ZIP, your Key West address or meet preference, the vehicle, and a preferred window. Request a quote or call (754) 714-2439. You can also email tony@in-n-out-keys.com. If the Key West move is permanent, our Moving to Key West guide covers more than just the car.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Minneapolis from Key West?
Roughly 1,800 to 1,900 miles, depending on the exact starting address in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in Minnesota.
When should Minnesota snowbirds book?
As early as you can, especially for October through December southbound dates. A pickup window of a few days is more useful than a single date, because early winter weather can slow a northern start.
Does one truck go the whole way from Minnesota?
Usually not. A trusted, licensed partner carrier runs the interstate leg. In-N-Out Keys handles the Key West delivery on its own truck.
Can someone else receive the car if I fly later?
Yes, as long as we have a named contact who can meet the driver, show identification if asked, inspect the car, and handle payment as spelled out in your quote.
In-N-Out Keys LLC
USDOT 4120018 · MC 1583555
Operating out of Marathon
9981 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
Serving the entire Florida Keys, MM 0–112