Quick answer: Snowbird auto transport moves your car between your northern home and your winter home at the start and end of the season. Southbound demand peaks in October and November and northbound in March and April, so book two to four weeks before the rush and give a pickup window of a few days. On the busiest Florida routes, prices run 10 to 20 percent higher in peak weeks. See our snowbird car shipping service for round-trip booking.
Every fall, snowbirds leave the cold northern states for Florida, Arizona, Texas and the Carolinas, then head home again in spring. Each trip raises the same question: what to do with the car. Many decide to fly and have the car shipped, rather than spend several days driving each way. This guide covers when to book, what it costs on the main routes, how to prepare the car, and how to choose a company you can trust with it twice a year.
Snowbird Car Shipping Calendar
| Trip | Busiest weeks | When to book | Quieter windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| South for the winter | October and November, and early January after the holidays | September or early October, two to four weeks before the rush | Late August and early September |
| North for the summer | March and April, running into May | February, two to four weeks before your date | Late February and early March |
| Round trip | Both peaks | Book both legs when you book the fall trip | Locks in your spring date and price early |
A pickup window of four or five days lets the dispatcher put your car on the next truck heading your way, which is the biggest single thing you can do to keep the price down in peak season.
How Much Does Snowbird Car Shipping Cost?
These are typical prices for a running sedan on an open carrier with flexible dates:
| Route | Approx. distance | Typical cost | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Florida (snowbird season) | 1,100 to 1,300 miles | $950 to $1,400 | 3 to 5 days |
| Massachusetts to Florida | 1,400 to 1,600 miles | $900 to $1,300 | 3 to 5 days |
| Florida to New York (spring) | 1,100 to 1,300 miles | $800 to $1,200 | 3 to 5 days |
| Chicago to Phoenix | About 1,750 miles | $850 to $1,300 | 4 to 7 days |
| Seattle to Phoenix | About 1,400 miles | $700 to $1,100 | 3 to 5 days |
The Chicago and Seattle rows use our standard ranges by distance; in the busiest weeks, expect the top of the range or a little above. Enclosed transport usually costs 40 to 60 percent more. For prices on other routes, see our car shipping cost guide.
Snowbird Discounts
- Seniors 65 and older get 10 percent off at ABC Auto Shipping.
- Two cars on the same truck, from the same origin to the same destination, get up to 15 percent off each car.
- Returning customers save $50 to $200 per car, depending on the cars and the route.
Ask your agent which apply to your booking, or see our discounts page.
What Moves the Price
- Season. Southbound prices into Florida run 10 to 20 percent higher in October and November.
- Date flexibility. A window of a few days prices better than one fixed day.
- Distance and route. Busy corridors cost less per mile than remote pickups.
- Vehicle size. SUVs and pickups cost more than sedans.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed costs more but keeps road salt and weather off the car.
- Access. Gated or age-restricted communities may need a nearby meeting point for the truck.
Is It Worth Shipping a Car for the Winter?
For most snowbirds, yes. A northeast-to-Florida trip is about 1,200 miles each way. Driving it takes about three days and, on our drive or ship cost breakdown, costs roughly $780 in fuel, wear, hotels and meals before tolls. Shipping the same leg costs $800 to $1,400 depending on the season, plus your flight. In cash, the two are close. What tips the balance for many snowbirds is everything else:
- Time. A flight of a few hours instead of three or four days at the wheel, twice a year.
- Miles. Two round trips a year can add several thousand miles to the car.
- Winter roads. The southbound trip often starts in ice and snow on the northern part of the route.
- Fatigue. Several long driving days in a row are the part most people are happiest to hand over.
- Two cars. If you keep two cars, one person cannot drive both, and shipping them together earns a discount.
Driving can still make sense if you enjoy the trip, want stops along the way or are only going a few hundred miles.
Popular Snowbird Routes
Northeast to Florida
The busiest snowbird corridor in the country. Common pickups are New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Maryland, heading to Naples, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando, The Villages, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Transit usually takes 3 to 5 days. See Florida car shipping.
Midwest to Florida or Texas
Snowbirds from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin head mostly to Florida, with a growing share going to the Texas Gulf Coast, from South Padre Island to Galveston. See Texas car shipping.
Midwest and Northeast to Arizona
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tucson and Yuma draw snowbirds from across the north. It is a longer route, usually 4 to 7 days in transit from the Midwest. See Arizona car shipping.
Pacific Northwest to the Southwest
Snowbirds from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana ship to Palm Springs, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Volume is lower than on the eastern routes, but these lanes still fill up in peak weeks.
Snowbird Transport Options
| Option | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Open carrier, door to door | Picked up at your northern address and delivered to your winter address, or as close as a large truck can safely reach | Most snowbirds; the standard choice |
| Enclosed carrier | The car rides inside a covered trailer, away from weather and road salt | Classics, convertibles, luxury and high-value cars |
| Terminal to terminal | You drop off and collect the car at storage lots | Owners near a terminal with flexible dates; storage fees can apply if dates slip |
| Guaranteed pickup date | A fixed pickup date instead of a window, for an extra charge | Fixed flight or lease dates |
| Round-trip booking | Fall and spring legs booked together | Snowbirds who know their return date |
Gated, age-restricted and HOA communities in Florida and Arizona often limit large trucks. Ask in advance where the driver can meet you, such as a clubhouse lot or a nearby shopping center.
How to Prepare Your Car
- Wash it so existing marks are easy to see at the inspection.
- Take dated photos of every panel, the wheels, windshield and interior.
- Remove personal items. Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds in the trunk, uninsured. See what you can leave in your car.
- Take out toll tags, including E-ZPass and SunPass, so you are not billed for the truck’s tolls.
- Check for leaks, tire pressure and the battery, so the car can be driven on and off the trailer.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank.
- Disable the alarm, or leave instructions for the driver.
- Have a set of keys ready, and keep a spare at your winter home.
Our car shipping checklist covers each step in more detail.
The Snowbird Shipping Process
- Get a quote with your two addresses, the car, and your pickup window.
- Book. ABC Auto Shipping does not ask for a deposit; you pay once a carrier is secured.
- Pickup. The driver calls ahead, you inspect the car together and sign the bill of lading, and the car is loaded.
- Transit. Usually 3 to 5 days from the Northeast to Florida and 4 to 7 days from the Midwest to Arizona. Winter storms on the northern part of the route can add a day or two.
- Delivery. The driver calls ahead to agree on a time and place. Inspect the car in daylight against your photos, and write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign.
How to Choose a Snowbird Car Shipping Company
- Check the license. Look up the USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA website.
- Ask for the insurance certificate and check the per-vehicle limit against your car’s value.
- Be wary of very low quotes. A price far below the others often means no carrier will take it, which leads to delays at the busiest time of year.
- Ask about deposits. Be cautious of any company that wants a large payment before a carrier is assigned.
- Look for route experience. A company that books snowbird lanes every season knows the peak weeks and the communities with truck restrictions.
- Read recent reviews, especially about communication and on-time pickup.
Mistakes Snowbirds Make
- Booking too late, which means higher prices and fewer trucks in October, November and April.
- Booking the car and flight for the same day. Set the car’s pickup a few days before you fly.
- Not planning for a few days without a car at the other end, in case delivery runs a day or two behind you.
- Skipping the inspection at pickup or delivery.
- Leaving valuables in the car, which are not insured.
- Forgetting the return leg, and finding the spring rush already booked up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does snowbird car shipping cost?
Typically $500 to $1,800, depending on the route and season. New York to Florida in snowbird season usually runs $950 to $1,400 on an open carrier, and the return trip in spring $800 to $1,200.
Is it worth shipping a car for the winter?
For most snowbirds, yes. On a 1,200-mile trip, shipping costs about the same as driving once fuel, hotels, meals and wear are counted, and it saves three or four days on the road each way.
When should snowbirds book car shipping?
Two to four weeks before the rush: in September or early October for the trip south, and in February for the trip north. Booking both legs together locks in your spring date.
How long does snowbird car shipping take?
Usually 3 to 5 days from the Northeast to Florida and 4 to 7 days from the Midwest to Arizona, plus 1 to 5 business days for pickup.
Can I ship two cars together?
Yes. Two cars on the same truck, from the same origin to the same destination, get up to 15 percent off each car at ABC Auto Shipping.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
You, or an adult you name, must be there to inspect the car and sign the bill of lading at both ends.
Can I leave things in the trunk?
Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds in the trunk, below the window line, but those items are not insured.
Is there a senior discount?
Yes. Snowbirds 65 and older get 10 percent off at ABC Auto Shipping.
Book Your Snowbird Shipment
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured carrier on the main snowbird routes, door to door. Book both legs together to lock in your spring date. Get a free quote today. There is no deposit to book.
