Snowbird Car Transport: Key Takeaways
- Booking your car shipment early is the single biggest money-saver, since snowbird season creates a rush of demand every fall heading south and every spring heading north.
- Open transport costs less than enclosed and works fine for most everyday vehicles, while enclosed is worth it mainly for classic or high-value cars.
- Flexible pickup and drop-off dates, plus shipping to a nearby terminal instead of door-to-door, can noticeably lower your quote.
The population of Florida starts to increase as temperatures start to drop in the north and “snowbirds” make their way to the Sunshine State for a winter of mild temperatures, lots of entertainment options and plenty of sunshine.
Those making the trip from places like New York and Illinois don’t have to get stuck driving their own car all the way down to Florida. Instead, they can hire a professional auto transport service to bring their car south.
Why use snowbird auto transport? It can help save you money in a few different areas. It’s also much more convenient and makes the logistics of coming down to Florida that much easier.
Are You a Snowbird?
These days, the term snowbird can refer to different types of travelers.
- Traditional snowbirds. This includes people with homes in places like New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts – anywhere where it gets cold in the winter. They have a second home in Florida that they come to during the winter months. This is the vast majority of snowbirds.
- Digital nomads. A growing number of people who make a living on the internet do what is called “slow travel,” meaning they live in a place for a few months before moving on. Florida is a popular destination in the winter months.
- RVers. People who live part-time or even full-time in RVs also often have cars. They can get both transported if they want to save money and wear and tear on the vehicles.
The Benefits of Snowbird Car Transport
Using car transport services can save you money in some areas, as well as make the transition south much more convenient. Those areas include the following.
- Fuel and Lodging. If you drive all the way to Florida from New York City or Chicago, you’re going to rack up quite a few lodging and fuel bills. With car transport, you can skip this step and fly directly to your destination and wait for auto transport professionals to deliver your car.
- Wear and tear on the car. Driving round trip to Florida puts a lot of miles on a snowbird’s car and makes required maintenance happen that much quicker.
- Wear and tear on you. Why make the drive when you don’t have to? Long road trips are hard on your body. There’s also an increased chance of accidents the more miles you drive. Car transport takes those issues off the table.
Tips For Saving Money on Auto Transport
You can shave dollars off the cost of car transport by making a few minor adjustments. The cost of car transport varies. There are variables you cannot control, such as the number of cars you need transported and the distance. But you can get a lower price by considering the following.
- Wait For Off-Peak Periods. You can avoid the peak time for car transport by choosing to come south either slightly earlier or slightly later than your fellow snowbirds.
- Flexible Dates. In addition to picking an off-peak time, it also helps to have some flexibility on exactly when you want your vehicle picked up and delivered. You’ll have the chance to pick your own time and dates, but always ask for the least expensive option if you want to trim your costs.
- Flexible Transport Options. Professional car transport companies offer enclosed transport. However, you can also choose open transport, which you likely have seen before on the highway. Cars are perfectly safe in open transport, just open to the elements. However, it’s a less expensive choice.
If you’re a snowbird, keep all these different factors in mind as you consider snowbird car transport. It’s a service that provides many benefits, and can take the stress of moving your car out of this year’s snowbird migration.
Snowbird Car Transport: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to book snowbird car transport?
Book several weeks ahead of peak season, which means late summer for the trip south and early spring for the trip north. Reserving early locks in better rates and gives you first pick of pickup dates before demand spikes.
How can I save money on shipping my car?
Choose open transport unless your vehicle truly needs enclosed protection, stay flexible on dates, and consider terminal-to-terminal delivery. Comparing a few quotes and avoiding last-minute bookings usually makes the biggest difference to the final price.
Is open car transport safe for my vehicle?
Yes, open transport is the industry standard and safely moves the vast majority of vehicles every year. Your car is exposed to the elements much like normal driving, so for standard daily-driver cars it is a reliable and cost-effective choice.
