Getting to Florida: fly or drive?
In brief
For 1 to 3 weeks, flying almost always wins: 3.5 to 4 hours nonstop from Montreal, versus 2,300+ km and 2 to 3 days on the road. For a month or more, or with 3 or 4 people, driving often wins: no rental at $1,000+ US a month, and you can bring whatever you want. Prices below are October 2026 ballpark figures, in Canadian dollars unless stated (US$1 = C$1.42).
Fly or drive: side by side
| Factor | Fly | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 3.5 to 4 h nonstop from Montreal, about a day door to door | 2,300 km Montreal to Orlando, 2,600 km to Fort Lauderdale or Miami (about 250 km more from Quebec City), 20+ hours behind the wheel: 2 to 3 days |
| Luggage | Checked bags cost extra on most basic fares | Whatever fits: bikes, cooler, home-office gear |
| Car in Florida | Rent one ($40 to $90 US a day, or a monthly rate) | Your own, no rental cost |
| Fatigue and risk | Low; delays and cancellations happen | Long days, snowstorms on departure, I-95 traffic |
| Border | US preclearance at Montreal-Trudeau: you clear US customs before you board. Your I-94 is created automatically | No automatic I-94: request one ($30 US) if you stay 30 days or more without NEXUS |
| Insurance | Rental: check your credit card's day limit | Your own auto policy: Florida minimum coverage required after 90 days |
| Best for | Short trips, singles and couples | 1 to 6 month stays, families, condo owners |
The border: flying and driving are not the same
- Flying: your I-94 is created automatically. It counts as the registration required after 30 days. Montreal-Trudeau has CBP preclearance; Quebec City does not (official CBP list, October 2026).
- Driving: for 30 days or more, you need NEXUS, a requested I-94 ($30 US) or the free G-325R form. Details in our guides I-94 for Canadians and 30-day registration.
What does it really cost?
Flying (2 adults, round trip)
| Item | Ballpark |
|---|---|
| Montreal–Orlando economy tickets | $830 to $1,350 (KAYAK typical prices: $413 to $677 per person) |
| Checked bags (Air Canada Basic and Standard fares) | $45 per bag each way, plus tax: $180 for 2 bags round trip |
| Airport parking or shuttle | $50 to $200 |
| Rental car in Florida | $40 to $90 US a day before tax; often $1,200 to $2,000 US a month in high season |
Driving (one car, one way)
| Item | Ballpark |
|---|---|
| Gas, 2,300 km at 8 L/100 km | About $300 (about $375 for an SUV at 10 L/100 km). Gas costs about C$1.57 a litre in Florida, versus $1.94 in Quebec |
| Hotel, 1 or 2 nights | $170 to $510 ($120 to $180 US a night) |
| Food on the road (2 people) | $100 to $250 |
| Tolls | Almost nothing via I-81. Via I-95: about $48 US between New Jersey and Maryland alone, plus the New York bridges |
| Wear: tires, maintenance, mileage | $100 to $250 (estimate) |
| Total | About $700 to $1,400 each way, shared among passengers |
Two examples. For a couple going for 2 weeks, flying plus 2 weeks of rental costs about $1,900 to $3,500. Driving costs $1,400 to $2,800 round trip, but you lose 4 to 6 days on the road. For a couple going for 3 months, flying plus 3 months of rental can top $6,000. Driving stays around $1,400 to $2,800 round trip. The longer the stay, the better driving looks.
In-between options
- Ship your car: Quebec carriers advertise about C$1,700 to C$2,000 per trip (open trailer). Specialized guides quote $1,600 to $2,500 US door to door. Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead, then fly.
- Amtrak Auto Train: this train carries your car from Lorton, Virginia (about 950 km from Montreal) to Sanford, near Orlando, and saves you about 1,300 km of driving. Prices depend on the date: about $570 US for the car in 2026, plus passenger tickets.
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Which airport?
Pick the region first, then the airport. Winter 2026-27 schedules were checked on October 7, 2026. Airlines add and cut routes during the season: confirm before you book.
| Airport | Area served | Nonstops from Quebec (winter 2026-27) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando (MCO) | Central: 1 h to Atlantic beaches, about 150 km to Tampa | Air Canada from Montreal (3 flights a day) and from Quebec City (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from December 13) | Theme parks, central Florida, access to both coasts. The most flights and rental choice |
| Orlando-Sanford (SFB) | North of Orlando (about 45 km from downtown) | No flights from Canada. Allegiant flies from Plattsburgh, NY (about 100 km from Montreal), twice a week | Small, fast airport. Low fares, but everything costs extra (bags, seats) |
| Tampa (TPA) | West (Gulf) Coast: Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Sarasota | Air Canada from Montreal (1 flight a day) | The Gulf Coast. Another option: St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE), served by Allegiant from Plattsburgh |
| West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) | East Coast: Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton | Air Canada from Montreal (Wednesday and Saturday from December 2; 3 a week over the holidays) | Less crowded than Fort Lauderdale. The airport was renamed President Donald J. Trump International: its code has been DJT since August 18, 2026 |
| Vero Beach (VRB) | East Coast, "Treasure Coast": Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce | No flights from Canada. Breeze only, from the US Northeast, including Burlington, Vermont (one stop, same plane) | Tiny and stress-free. 125 km from West Palm Beach and 165 km from Orlando: often easier to land there and rent a car |
| Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Southeast (Broward County): Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, up to Boca Raton | Air Canada from Montreal (about 5 flights a day in winter) and from Quebec City (Tuesday and Sunday from October 25); Porter from Montreal (from November 1); Air Transat from Quebec City (up to 3 a week, from November 15 per published schedules). Allegiant from Plattsburgh (1 to 2 a week) | The most nonstops from Quebec. Mid-size airport, 15 minutes from Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale beach |
| Miami (MIA) | Miami, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Coral Gables, and the road to the Keys | Air Canada from Montreal (2 flights a day, 3 from February). American Airlines only from December 17 to January 5, then the route ends. No nonstop from Quebec City | Big international airport: more connections, but longer walks and heavier traffic on the way out |
To compare the coasts before you choose, see East or West Coast: which Florida is for you.
Miami or Fort Lauderdale: the southeast in detail
| Factor | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Miami (MIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | The most nonstops from Montreal, and the only one of the two served from Quebec City. Smaller, faster to get out of, close to most Broward snowbird areas | More connections and flight times. Handy for Miami Beach, south Miami and the Keys |
| Cons | The rental car center is walkable from Terminal 1 only: shuttle from Terminals 2, 3 and 4 | Big airport, long walks, heavy traffic around it. No nonstop from Quebec City |
| Car rental | Rental car center linked to Terminal 1 by a pedestrian bridge; free shuttle every 10 minutes, 24/7, from Terminals 2, 3 and 4 | All rental companies at the Rental Car Center, about 4 minutes on the free MIA Mover train |
Driving distances to snowbird areas (route calculation, no traffic: add 30 to 50% at rush hour).
| Area | From FLL | From MIA | From West Palm Beach (DJT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach | 44 km, 45 min | 24 km, 30 min | 116 km, 1 h 35 |
| Sunny Isles Beach | 23 km, 25 min | 33 km, 40 min | 95 km, 1 h 15 |
| Hallandale Beach | 15 km, 15 min | 37 km, 40 min | 86 km, 1 h 10 |
| Hollywood | 9 km, 15 min | 39 km, 40 min | 83 km, 1 h 05 |
| Fort Lauderdale (beach) | 10 km, 15 min | 55 km, 55 min | 76 km, 1 h 05 |
| Pompano Beach | 25 km, 25 min | 65 km, 1 h | 57 km, 50 min |
| Deerfield Beach | 35 km, 30 min | 74 km, 1 h 05 | 48 km, 40 min |
| Boca Raton | 43 km, 40 min | 83 km, 1 h 10 | 41 km, 35 min |
| Delray Beach | 52 km, 45 min | 91 km, 1 h 15 | 30 km, 25 min |
Tolls in South Florida.
- I-95 Express lanes (95 Express): the price changes with traffic, and you need a SunPass or another Florida-accepted transponder. Toll-By-Plate is not accepted. Without a transponder, you get an invoice for the toll, a $2.50 US fee and a $25 US fine per day of use.
- Miami toll expressways (GMX): SR 836 (Dolphin), SR 112 (Airport) and the others are cashless. Toll-By-Plate is accepted there, but costs about double the SunPass rate (example on SR 836: $0.66 US with SunPass, $1.32 US by plate).
- Florida's Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway: SunPass or Toll-By-Plate. SunPass saves you about 25%.
- In a rental car: if you have a SunPass account (or a prepaid TOLL-BY-PLATE account), add the rental's plate to your account for the rental dates, and take your portable transponder out when you return the car. Otherwise, the rental company's toll program applies (see below). Tolls are frequent in South Florida: the daily flat rate can be worth it if you drive every day.
Tips to pay less
- Book early, but not too early: on Montreal–Orlando, KAYAK sees the best prices about 7 weeks before departure, about 17% less than last minute. For Christmas and March break, book months ahead.
- Be flexible on dates: Wednesday is the cheapest day on average, Saturday the most expensive (KAYAK, Montreal–Orlando).
- Compare nearby airports: Orlando, Sanford, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami. Compare Plattsburgh or Burlington too: low fares there mean 1 to 2 hours of driving and parking across the border.
- Fly into one airport and out of another: flying into Orlando and home from Fort Lauderdale can save you a round trip by car. Watch for one-way drop fees on the rental.
- Count the bags: a cheaper basic fare often ends up costing more once bags are added. Compare the total price.
- Travel insurance: your credit card's coverage often has a day limit. Read the trip-length trap.
- Pay in US dollars without FX fees: see our card and account options.
Renting a car without getting burned
| Option | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Major agencies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo…) | Wide choice, one-way returns, roadside assistance | Airport fees, tolls, extra drivers, under-25 drivers |
| Off-airport agency | Often cheaper (no airport fees) | Shuttle or taxi to get there |
| Turo (peer-to-peer) | Varied prices and models. Canadian licences are accepted | Credit card coverage often excludes Turo. Read the protection plan carefully |
| Monthly rental ("month or more") or subscription | Lower rates for 28+ days | Book early for January to March. Check the included mileage |
- Credit card collision coverage: most Canadian cards limit it to 31 or 48 consecutive days. Beyond that, the rental is often not covered at all, even for the first days. For a long stay, split the rental according to your card's rules, or buy the rental company's protection.
- Your own auto policy: in Ontario, the OPCF 27 endorsement (in Quebec, Q.E.F. No. 27) can cover a rental car. See our guide to driving your car to Florida.
- Tolls: rental company programs are expensive. At Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty, it's $14.99 US a day (unlimited tolls). If you decline and use a toll anyway, you pay $9.99 US a day plus the highest toll rate. At Avis and Budget, it's $12.99 US a day. At Enterprise, Alamo and National, it's $4.95 US per toll day ($30 max per rental). If you have a SunPass, add the rental's plate to your account for the rental dates (SunPass.com).
- Florida tax: Florida adds a $2 US a day surcharge to every car rental, on top of sales tax and airport fees.
- At pickup: film the car from every angle, note the fuel or charge level, and decline extras you did not ask for.
Gas or electric?
Driving your own EV down
- The network: Tesla Superchargers are plentiful along I-95 and I-75. The US has about 80,000 public charging stations (AAA, 2026). Other EV brands can use some Superchargers with a NACS port or their automaker's adapter: check each stop in the Tesla app or your automaker's app.
- Cold on departure: at -7 °C, range drops about 39% with the heater on (AAA, 2026). On day one from Quebec or Ontario, plan more frequent stops. At 35 °C with the A/C on, the drop is only about 8.5%.
- In Florida: Florida law bars a condo association from stopping an owner from installing a charger in their assigned parking spot, at the owner's cost with separate metering (Florida Statutes, s. 718.113). If you rent, ask about an outlet or charger before you book. At hotels, filter for "EV charging".
What do 100 km cost?
| Vehicle and charging | Assumption | Cost per 100 km |
|---|---|---|
| Gas car | 8 L/100 km, gas at about $4.19 US a gallon (Florida) | About C$13 |
| EV, fast charging on the road | 20 kWh/100 km, $0.40 to $0.55 US per kWh | About C$11 to C$16 |
| EV, slow charging at the condo | 20 kWh/100 km, Florida residential power at $0.15 US per kWh | About C$4 |
On the road, an EV costs about the same as gas. The savings come from slow charging in Florida during a stay of several weeks.
Renting an EV in Florida
- Charge level at return: at Hertz, you must return the car within 5% of the pickup level, but never above 75%. Otherwise Hertz bills the charging per kWh, at more than a public charger. A prepaid charge option exists, with no refund for what's left.
- Tesla Superchargers: at Hertz, charging is billed to your rental with a 2.8% fee, sometimes after you return the car.
- Before you sign: ask for the cable and the J1772 adapter, install the charging apps and find a charger near the return location.
Key takeaways
- Under 3 weeks: fly, almost always.
- A month or more, or 3 or 4 people: driving often beats a rental.
- Driving for 30 days or more: NEXUS, I-94 or the G-325R form.
- Check your credit card's rental day limit (often 31 or 48 days).
- EV: cheap at the condo, about the same as gas on the road.
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Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Sources
- CBP — Preclearance locations (October 2026)
- FlightsFrom — Montreal–Orlando and other route schedules (checked October 7, 2026)
- Porter — Florida flights, winter 2026-27
- PAX — Air Transat's 2026-27 Florida program (French, July 22, 2026)
- Air Canada — Florida schedules, winter 2026-27 (checked October 7, 2026)
- 2LNR — Quebec City–Fort Lauderdale schedules (Air Canada and Air Transat, October 2026)
- Simple Flying — American Airlines ends Miami–Montreal (October 2026)
- WestJet — Sunwing Airlines integration (May 2025)
- Flair — Flights to Florida
- Vero Beach Airport — Airlines and destinations
- Allegiant — Flights from Plattsburgh
- FAA — Palm Beach airport renaming (PBI becomes DJT)
- KAYAK — Typical Montreal–Orlando prices (October 2026)
- Air Canada — Baggage fees (April 13, 2026)
- AAA — Gas prices by state (October 7, 2026)
- Régie de l'énergie — Quebec gas prices
- Bank of Canada — Daily exchange rates
- I-95 Exit Guide — I-95 tolls
- CanadaFlorida — Choosing a car carrier (French)
- Amtrak — Auto Train
- SunPass — Tolls in rental vehicles
- FDOT 95 Express — Express lane rules
- Greater Miami Expressway Agency — Toll rates
- Florida's Turnpike — Toll-By-Plate
- Fort Lauderdale airport — Rental cars
- Miami airport — Rental cars
- Florida Statutes — s. 212.0606 (rental car surcharge)
- Florida Statutes — s. 718.113 (EV chargers in condos)
- Turo — Booking a car in the US
- Hertz — Electric vehicle rental terms
- AAA — Temperature and EV range (May 2026)
- EIA data — Florida residential electricity prices (July 2026)
- Electrify America — Charging prices
General information only, not financial, legal or insurance advice. Flight schedules, prices and rental terms change often: check with the airline, the rental company and your insurer before you book. Escale Floride receives no commission on insurance products.