Snowbird
Snowbird Car Shipping
Snowbird transport is the most predictable work in this industry and the most reliably mishandled, because everyone books it in the same fortnight.
Why timing decides the price
Snowbird routes are seasonal in the most literal sense. Thousands of vehicles move south along the same corridors in October and November, then north again in April and May. Carriers know this, and capacity prices accordingly.
The corridor also runs unbalanced. Southbound trailers in autumn are full and northbound ones are relatively empty, then the pattern reverses. That imbalance, not distance, is what moves the rate on these lanes.
The single best thing you can do. Shift your travel by two weeks. Moving in late September instead of mid-October, or mid-March instead of late April, puts you outside the crush. The saving is often substantial and availability is far better.
Book both legs together
Most snowbirds ship the same vehicle between the same two addresses twice a year. Booking it as a round trip rather than two separate jobs has three advantages.
- Better rate. A confirmed return leg is worth something to a carrier planning a season.
- Guaranteed capacity on the return, which is the leg people leave too late.
- Your addresses stay on file, so the second booking takes a phone call rather than a form.
The return date does not need to be exact when you book. An approximate month is enough to hold the slot, and it can be firmed up closer to the time.
The routes we run most
The heaviest corridors are the Northeast into Florida, the Midwest into Arizona and Texas, and the Pacific Northwest into California and Nevada. Those lanes have the most carriers and the most competition, which works in your favour outside peak weeks.
Less common pairings still move, but they are worth booking further ahead because fewer trucks run them naturally.
Practical points people forget
- Community access. Many seasonal communities restrict commercial vehicles or have gate procedures. Flag it at booking and a meeting point is arranged calmly rather than improvised.
- Someone must be there. A driver cannot leave a vehicle without a signature. If you fly and the car arrives first, nominate someone in advance.
- Battery on the northbound leg. A car that sat all winter may not start on collection day. Tell us if you suspect it, so a winch-equipped carrier is assigned.
- Insurance stays active. Keep your own policy running during transport rather than pausing it because the car is not being driven.
Open or enclosed
Open transport is right for the vast majority of seasonal moves and is what most snowbirds book. If the vehicle is a convertible with an ageing top, or a car whose paintwork you care about more than average, enclosed is worth considering on the salt-belt legs in particular.
Snowbird shipping questions
When should I book my southbound move?
Ideally by August or early September for an October or November collection. The corridor fills quickly and late bookings pay for it in both price and availability.
Can I book the return without a firm date?
Yes. An approximate month is enough to secure the slot, and you can firm it up closer to the time. Booking both legs together also prices better than two separate jobs.
What if my car will not start after sitting all winter?
Tell us when you book the return leg. A non-running vehicle needs a winch-equipped carrier, and knowing in advance avoids a failed collection on the day.
Will the truck come into my community?
It depends on the community. Many restrict commercial vehicles or have gate procedures for large trucks. Flag it at booking and we will plan a nearby meeting point in advance.
Is it cheaper to ship two cars together?
Usually, yes. A second vehicle shares the fixed cost of the trip rather than doubling it. Send both and we will show you the comparison.
Heading south this year?
Book both legs now. Return dates can stay approximate, and the rate is better than booking each way separately.