Flying Cars in Florida

Flying Cars Coming Soon. Courtesy SunTrax

“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. We’re going to get you up in the air,” says DeSantis

Ever since The Jetsons hit TV screens back in 1962, people have dreamed of flying cars. Baby Boomers, Generation Jones, Gen X, Millennials, everyone wanted their own version of George Jetson’s morning commute. Now, with 2026 on the horizon, it’s not just wishful thinking anymore. Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida is making it happen.

Florida plans to test electric flying cars before the year’s out. On Monday, at the SunTrax facility in Auburndale, DeSantis laid out the vision: The state is moving fast on advanced air mobility. SunTrax, spread over 775 acres in Polk County, now features two vertiports and the country’s first aerial test track for these vehicles. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft don’t need a runway; they just go up. The FAA selected SunTrax for its national pilot program. DeSantis referenced the classic line from Back to the Future: “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads,” and promised, “We’re going to get you up in the air.”

SunTrax started as a testing ground for autonomous vehicles, but now it’s expanded into the sky. The new facilities were built to push Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) forward, yes, “flying cars.” The goal? Give Floridians another option for getting around, unclog traffic, and possibly restore regional air connections. Florida expects AAM test flights before year’s end.

During his visit, DeSantis spotlighted Florida’s edge in transportation innovation. “By the end of this year, we’ll be testing eVTOL aircraft right here,” he said. SunTrax is also supporting autonomous and connected vehicle deployment. And there’s a strong focus on education: FDOT is teaming up with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Polk State College to train students for careers in advanced transportation.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue called AAM “a great addition to Florida’s world-class transportation portfolio.” Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized hands-on training, saying SunTrax gives students access to groundbreaking technology and helps drive growth and new jobs statewide.

SunTrax AirGround will test eVTOL aircraft across Central Florida, providing companies with space to test new aircraft and communications tech in a controlled, real-world setting. The facility isn’t stopping there—companies will have hangars for research, manufacturing, and assembly.

AAM isn’t just about air taxis for passengers. It covers cargo deliveries, medical transport, and emergency response. Florida is leading the way, crafting safety and operational plans for eVTOLs through the FAA’s Integration Pilot Program, while Embry-Riddle handles much of the research.

SunTrax isn’t just about the sky, it’s also the region’s main hub for testing autonomous and connected vehicles. The facility offers the only high-speed autonomous test track in the Southeast. Companies can try out vehicles in controlled urban setups, weather simulations, and complex scenarios. These are the proving grounds before hitting Florida’s actual roads.

Progress is showing up outside the test track, too. Waymo, the big name in driverless ride-hailing, has given hundreds of thousands of rides in the state. People in Miami and Orlando can order fully autonomous rides today. Soon, Tampa joins the mix. Waymo’s working closely with FDOT, law enforcement, and first responders to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.

Preparing the workforce is just as important. FDOT, Embry-Riddle, and Polk State are collaborating to develop credentials for future pilots, engineers, and techs. They want Florida’s workforce ready to maintain and operate all this advanced transportation technology.

All these steps put Florida at the forefront of transportation. The research and testing at SunTrax will keep the state’s systems innovative, open up new travel options, support the supply chain, and make life easier for residents and visitors.

For more details, check out Suntraxfl.com.