Snowbird Car Shipping: When to Book, What to Expect and How to Save

You've earned your winter in the sun. Driving 1,000+ miles to get there is optional. Shipping your car lets you fly down, arrive rested and find your car waiting at your seasonal home.

Here's everything snowbirds should know before booking.

How snowbird season affects car shipping

Car carriers follow demand, and snowbird demand moves in two big waves:

• Heading south: about October through January. Northeast and Midwest drivers ship to Florida, Arizona and other warm-weather states.
• Heading north: about March through May. The same cars come back home.

During these windows, southbound trucks fill up quickly. Booking early is the single best way to get the pickup dates you want.

When to book your shipment

• Ideal: 2 to 3 weeks before your preferred pickup date.
• Busy weeks (pre-Thanksgiving and pre-holiday): book earlier if you can.
• Last minute? Still possible. Expedited service can get you priority dispatch.

Tip: a pickup window of a few days, instead of one exact date, makes it much easier to match your car with the right carrier.

Popular snowbird routes

• New York to Florida
• New Jersey to Florida
• Massachusetts to Florida
• Pennsylvania to Florida
• Michigan and Ohio to Florida
• Illinois, Minnesota and the Northwest to Arizona

Typical transit from the Northeast to Florida is about 3 to 5 days after pickup. Longer routes, like the Midwest to Arizona, can take a bit more.

Open or enclosed?

Most snowbirds choose open transport. It's the most economical option and the most widely available on Florida lanes. Learn about open auto transport.

Choose enclosed if you're shipping a classic, a convertible you treasure, an exotic or a low-clearance car.

Snowbird prep checklist

• ☐ Wash the car so the inspection is accurate
• ☐ Take dated photos of all sides, the roof and the interior
• ☐ Remove personal items, garage openers and toll tags
• ☐ Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
• ☐ Check the battery, tires and any leaks
• ☐ Disable or tell the driver about any alarm
• ☐ Plan who will be present at pickup and delivery
• ☐ Have both addresses and phone numbers ready

Plan the round trip now

If you know when you'll head home, mention it when you book. Spring northbound demand is real too, and planning both legs together saves you a second scramble in March.

How it works

1. Get a free quote with your pickup and delivery ZIPs.
2. We assign an FMCSA-verified carrier and confirm their insurance before pickup.
3. You and the driver inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading (BOL).
4. Track your car on the way.
5. Inspect again at delivery before signing.

See the full process.