Snowbird season is one of the most popular annual events in the car shipping industry. At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, seasonal travelers move from cold-weather states like Illinois and New York to warmer-weather locations like Florida, Arizona, and California for some rest in the sun. When springtime rolls around, these travelers, or snowbirds as we like to call them, flock home once the weather gets better up North.
Shipping a car yourself during snowbird season is a dangerous proposition. Weather is unpredictable along many of these routes, leading to delays, accidents, and potentially significant damage to your vehicle.
Car shipping companies are a vital source of convenience during snowbird season. They transport passenger cars and other personal vehicles in otherwise treacherous conditions.
Instead of risking the drive yourself, it pays to understand your options. We're here to help snowbirds like you find the best way to move a car when needed.
Understanding Your Snowbird Auto Transport Options
Here are the three most popular options for moving a car during snowbird season:
1. Drive Yourself
When you drive a car yourself in snowbird season, you're in full control of everything. However, that control comes with some major drawbacks:
· Increased risk of damage due to sketchy weather conditions
· Added costs for fuel, hotels, tolls, and meals.
· Increased risk of accidents due to icy roads and driver error.
· Added mileage and normal wear and tear.
· Likely required maintenance prior to the move.
2. Hire a Professional Driveaway Shipper
Driveaway shipping is a popular, cost-effective option for snowbird transport. However, it's risky to let anyone, even a professional, drive your car through snow and rainstorms to its destination. Drawbacks include:
· It's hard to find a reliable driveaway driver.
· There are often delays and unexpected costs.
· Your car remains at risk of damage, wear, and tear.
· Your car accumulates mileage.
· Having a stranger drive your car for you is often an uneasy feeling.
3. Schedule With a Professional Car Shipping Company
Working with a top car transport company like Nexus Auto Transport is the most convenient, cost-effective solution for snowbird transportation. Benefits include:
· No added mileage or wear on your vehicle
· Access to the best, most reliable truckers in the United States.
· Multiple transport options personalized to your needs.
· Door-to-door delivery.
· Around-the-clock support from experienced transport professionals.
· Full management of shipping from the moment you schedule.
· Accurate, all-inclusive pricing from our car shipping calculator.
The Complete Snowbird Car Shipping Checklist
Ship a car confidently when you work with our trusted snowbird vehicle transport service. Here's a detailed checklist for you to follow before transporting your car:
1. Choose the Right Type of Transport
Here are the types of snowbird car transport worth considering:
· Open Transport: Open hauling is the most popular and affordable form of snowbird vehicle transport. Perfect for midsize sedans and most standard passenger vehicles.
· Enclosed Transport: We recommend enclosed car transportation for vehicles valued at $70,000 or more or those of high personal value. Enclosed transport protects your car from sight and the elements.
· Expedited Transport: If you can't schedule a snowbird car shipment early, Nexus offers expedited shipping options. You'll pay more for priority service, but it's there if you need it.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping
· Clean your car: Clean your vehicle inside and out to reveal any preexisting damage you may be unaware of.
· Take good photos: Take good photos of your car from all angles, inside and out. This will be helpful at pickup and delivery.
· Document all damage: Use your photos to document all preexisting damage. You may also take photos at pickup if need be.
· Perform a basic inspection: Inspect your car's tires, fluid levels, and battery charge. Perform a routine maintenance check and lower your fuel tank to 1/4 of the tank for easy transport.
· Remove personal items: Unless you have a preexisting arrangement with your driver, remove all personal belongings from your vehicle. The less weight, the better.
· Disable alarms and toll tags: Disable all car alarms and remove toll tags so you are not charged on the road.
· Make a spare key: If you do not have a spare car key, make one.
3. Gather the Needed Documents
You don't need much to ship a car, but these are the documents you do need:
· Vehicle registration and insurance
· A copy of your current auto transport agreement
· Any special instructions for pickup/delivery
4. Get Ready For Pickup
Your driver will call you before arriving at your pickup location to ensure you or someone you appoint will be present. Here are the simple steps for a successful snowbird shipping pickup:
· Conduct an inspection with your driver, noting all current damage on the Bill of Lading. Take photos of preexisting damage for use at delivery.
· Sign the Bill of Lading and keep a copy for your records.
· Your vehicle will be loaded onto the hauler. If it is inoperable, your driver must take extra measures, including using a winch for loading and offloading.
5. Look Closely at Delivery
It pays to pay attention. While it's unlikely that your car will sustain any damage during shipment, we require all assigned drivers to complete a post-delivery inspection with you.
This includes:
· A full walkaround of the vehicle, cross-checking the damage with what's listed on the Bill of Lading, and using your previous photos to double-check.
· If new damage is sustained, do not sign the Bill of Lading unless it is notated on the document.
· Once you agree upon the inspection findings, sign off and take your keys.
It's simple to ship a car with a professional car shipping company. It's even more vital to use a professional service when weather patterns are at their fiercest in the snowbird season. Get your free quotes now from our state-of-the-art car shipping calculator, or call (224) 218-2949 to speak with one of our snowbird transportation experts.
Why Should I Schedule Snowbird Shipping Early?
If you want to get a good price for snowbird transport, you need to think ahead. The snowbird car shipping season is among the busiest times in the vehicle transportation industry. Thousands of cars are shipped from states in the North to the South and West within the span of a few weeks.
There is a similar rush for services in the spring as snowbirds return to their natural habitat.
Here are some things you need to know about scheduling a vehicle shipment during snowbird season:
· As a general rule of thumb, you should schedule a snowbird transport order between 3 and 4 weeks before your desired pickup date. If you schedule later, prices will likely skyrocket.
· Be aware that driver supply dips during the holiday season. This drives up prices, so give yourself some leeway on either side.
· Remember that car shipping is subject to the elements, road closures, equipment failure, and other extenuating factors. Keep contact with your driver and allow time for potential unforeseen delays.
· The bigger your shipping window and the more flexible you are about scheduling, the better your chance of getting a deal for your vehicle shipping dollar.
How Much Does Snowbird Car Transport Cost?
The average cost of vehicle shipping in 2025 is $650. This quote includes standard open transport, door-to-door shipping, and applicable fees and taxes. However, the actual cost of shipping varies wildly. The cost of moving your vehicle depends on several factors, including:
· Distance: The longer your car goes, the more you tend to pay. However, per-mile prices often drop significantly for cross-country routes.
· Vehicle Size: A small sedan or midsize coupe costs less to move than an SUV or pickup truck.
· Vehicle Value: Luxury cars often cost more to ship as they cost more to insure as cargo.
· Transport Type: Open transport is cheaper than enclosed shipping but offers less protection from road hazards and the elements.
· Seasonal Demand: When driver demand exceeds supply, such as during snowbird season, rates increase.
· Scheduling Flexibility: If you're willing to work your schedule around the needs of your auto transporter, you may save hundreds at the right moment.
Ready to Ship Your Car During Snowbird Season?
Nexus Auto Transport is an experienced nationwide provider of snowbird car shipping services. We are an A+-rated, BBB-accredited car transport company licensed in all 50 states. We only partner with independent trucking specialists vetted for driving history, equipment quality, customer service ratings, and overall efficiency.
Get your free quote right now via our snowbird shipping calculator. Or call us at (224) 218-2949 to get started.
Thank you for choosing Nexus Auto Transport. Happy travels!
