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Snowbird Car Shipping
Ship your car for your seasonal move — south for winter, north for summer. We arrange seasonal auto transport across the United States through a network of licensed, insured carriers. No deposit at booking.
• No Credit Card Required • $0 Upfront Deposit
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What Is Snowbird Car Shipping?
A snowbird is someone who spends part of the year in a warmer place and part of the year somewhere cooler. Many travel south in the fall and come back north in the spring.
Snowbird car shipping is simply the transport of that person's vehicle between their two seasonal homes. Instead of driving 1,500 or 2,000 miles twice a year, you have your car moved for you and fly between the two homes.
People choose to ship their car for a few honest reasons:
- Long drives take several days and a lot of energy
- Winter weather on northern routes can be hard on drivers and cars
- Fuel, hotels, meals, and vehicle wear add up
- Flying is often faster and less tiring than a multi-day drive
Shipping is not automatically cheaper than driving. Whether it makes sense for you depends on the route, the time of year, the type of vehicle, and how much a two- or three-day drive would cost you in fuel, lodging, and time. A quick quote will show you the number for your specific move.
Why Do Snowbirds Ship Their Cars?
Every snowbird has their own reasons. A few of the most common:
Avoid a long road trip.
A drive from the Northeast to Florida can take three days each way. From the Midwest to Arizona, closer to four. Shipping the car lets you fly in a few hours instead.
Avoid winter driving.
Snow, ice, and unpredictable weather on I-95, I-80, or I-70 can make a fall or early-spring drive stressful. Not everyone wants to plan around storm forecasts.
Reduce wear on the vehicle.
A round-trip drive can put 3,000 to 5,000 miles on a car in a few days. That is oil changes, tire wear, brakes, and general wear you can skip.
Fly instead of drive.
Many snowbirds prefer to fly with just a suitcase and pick up their car at the other end. Your vehicle travels on its own schedule, and you travel on yours.
Save time and effort.
Even if the cost comes out close to driving, some customers value the days and the physical toll they get back.
Plan around health.
Long-distance driving isn't for everyone. Some customers ship because a multi-day drive isn't comfortable or safe for them anymore.
Shipping is one option among several. Whether it's the right one depends on your situation.
How Does Snowbird Car Shipping Work?
Six simple steps from quote to delivery.
01
Step 1 — Plan Your Seasonal Move
Decide when your car needs to arrive at the other end. Work backward from there. During busy snowbird months, giving yourself a wider pickup window (three to five days) usually gets you a better price and more carrier options than requesting a hard date.
02
Step 2 — Request a Quote
Tell us the pickup city and ZIP, the delivery city and ZIP, the year, make, and model of the vehicle, its condition (running or not), and your preferred pickup dates. A quote follows within a few minutes.
03
Step 3 — Book the Shipment
When you accept the quote, you sign a booking agreement with our licensed partner broker. No deposit is charged at this stage. Your card is only run once a carrier is assigned to your dates.
04
Step 4 — Vehicle Pickup
A licensed carrier is assigned to your dates, and we send you the driver's name and phone number. The driver arrives during the agreed pickup window, walks around the car with you, and records the vehicle's condition on a document called the Bill of Lading. You both sign, and the car is loaded onto the trailer.
05
Step 5 — Vehicle Transport
The carrier drives your vehicle along the planned route. Transit time depends on distance and weather — more on that below.
06
Step 6 — Delivery
The driver calls you before arrival. When the truck reaches the delivery address, you inspect the car against the Bill of Lading, note anything new, pay the remaining balance to the driver, and sign for delivery. Your seasonal move is complete.
When Should You Ship Your Car for the Winter?
Snowbird demand is seasonal, and pricing and pickup windows move with it.
Fall (southbound)
Most customers ship south between mid-October and mid-January. The busiest weeks are usually the second half of October through Thanksgiving.
Spring (northbound)
Most customers ship back north between mid-March and early May. April is often the busiest month for northbound snowbird loads.
Exact timing depends on:
- Your destination and pickup city
- Weather on the route
- Carrier availability that week
- How flexible your dates are
- Overall seasonal demand
A universal rule like “always book 30 days ahead” isn't accurate — some routes fill quickly during peak weeks, and others have carriers running daily. Where possible, giving yourself two to four weeks of lead time during peak snowbird months tends to give you more flexibility on pickup dates and pricing.
Fall and Spring Snowbird Car Shipping
Snowbird transport runs in two main directions each year.
Fall Snowbird Shipping — Northbound to Southbound
From roughly October through January, cars move south. The heaviest lanes run from the Northeast and Midwest into Florida, Arizona, southern Texas, and southern California. Carrier capacity tightens as more customers try to ship in the same few weeks, so pickup windows fill sooner.
Spring Snowbird Shipping — Southbound to Northbound
From roughly March through May, the traffic reverses. Cars move north out of the same warm-weather destinations. April is often the peak week for northbound demand.
During peak weeks in either direction, dispatchers see more calls, prices reflect the added demand, and pickup windows stretch a little wider on tight routes. Between peaks, capacity is easier to find and pricing is generally more relaxed.
Popular Snowbird Car Shipping Routes
A handful of routes make up the bulk of seasonal auto transport. Some of the most common:
- Car Shipping from New York to Florida
- Car Shipping from New Jersey to Florida
- Car Shipping from Pennsylvania to Florida
- Car Shipping from Massachusetts to Florida
- Car Shipping from Michigan to Florida
- Car Shipping from Ohio to Florida
- Car Shipping from Illinois to Florida
- Car Shipping from New York to Arizona
- Car Shipping from Illinois to Arizona
- Car Shipping from Colorado to Arizona
Don't see your route above? We book seasonal shipments in both directions across all 48 continental states. Use the quote form or call for a rate on your specific pickup and delivery cities.
Popular Snowbird Destinations
Most snowbird cars end up in one of four states each winter.
Florida
By far the most common southbound destination. Frequent delivery cities include Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Jacksonville.
Arizona
Popular with Midwest and West Coast snowbirds. Common delivery cities include Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Mesa. Arizona’s dry winter climate is a draw for customers who want to skip humidity and coastal storms.
Texas
Growing steadily as a snowbird destination. Common delivery cities include Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. Popular with customers who want a warm winter with a lower cost of living than coastal Florida.
California
Popular for both winter and year-round seasonal residents. Common delivery cities include San Diego, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles. Palm Springs especially draws snowbirds who want a desert climate and easy flights back home.
If your destination isn't listed, that's fine — we book delivery to any city in the lower 48 with normal road access.
How Much Does Snowbird Car Shipping Cost?
Prices vary because every shipment is different. There is no single “snowbird price.”
Your quote depends on:
- Distance — between pickup and delivery cities
- Vehicle size and weight — larger vehicles use more space on the trailer
- Vehicle condition — a non-running car needs a carrier with a winch
- Open or enclosed transport — enclosed costs more
- Pickup and delivery location access — a rural pickup 40 miles from the interstate adds cost
- Seasonal demand — peak snowbird weeks price differently than off-season
- Route demand — busy corridors (I-95, I-10, I-40) price differently than lighter lanes
- Pickup flexibility — a three- to five-day window usually beats a hard date on price
- Carrier availability — how many trucks are running your route in the week you need
Snowbird routes see more pronounced price shifts than most, because so many customers try to ship in the same few weeks each year. A northbound Florida-to-New-York move in the last week of April can quote noticeably higher than the same move in early June.
For a real number on your specific shipment, use the quote tool or call.
Open vs. Enclosed Snowbird Car Shipping
Two ways to move a car. Both are safe when the carrier is properly licensed and insured. They suit different vehicles.
Open Transport
Your car rides on a standard open trailer along with several other vehicles. Open transport is the most common option and the more affordable one. It's what roughly nine out of ten cars ship on. It works well for daily-driver sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks — the kind of car most snowbirds move each season.
Enclosed Transport
Your car rides inside a fully enclosed trailer. It's sealed from weather, road spray, and debris. Enclosed generally costs 40% to 60% more than open transport. It's the right call for classic cars, exotics, luxury vehicles, and any car with paint or a finish that's expensive or difficult to replace.
Enclosed isn't automatically “safer” for every situation. A well-maintained open carrier delivers most cars in the same condition it picked them up in. What enclosed adds is protection from weather and road exposure — and for vehicles where that matters, it's worth the difference.
If you're not sure which one fits your car, call 1-888-706-8784 and describe it. A dispatcher will tell you honestly.
Door-to-Door Snowbird Car Shipping
Door-to-door means the driver picks up as close to your front door as they can legally and safely reach — and delivers the same way at the other end.
There's one honest catch worth knowing before pickup day. Full-size auto transport trucks are 75 feet long or more. They can't legally or safely fit down every residential street. Tight cul-de-sacs, narrow lanes, low-hanging tree branches, gated communities with restricted access, and busy urban blocks are common examples where the truck can't reach the front door.
When that's the case, the driver will call ahead and arrange to meet you at a nearby safe location — usually a large shopping-center parking lot or a wide side street within a few miles. This is normal in the industry, and it's how carriers avoid getting stuck or damaging property on tight residential streets.
If you know your street or your seasonal-home neighborhood is difficult for a big rig, tell us at booking. A short conversation up front prevents surprises on pickup day.
How to Prepare Your Car for Snowbird Transport
A short checklist that saves problems on pickup day.
Remove personal belongings. Auto transport carriers are not licensed to carry household goods, and their cargo insurance does not cover personal items left inside the vehicle. Loose items can also become a hazard in transit.
Clean the vehicle. A clean car makes the pickup inspection more accurate. Dirt hides scratches and dents, and that can make later disputes harder. A quick wash is enough.
Take dated photos. Walk around the car and take photos of every panel, the roof, the wheels, and the interior. Your phone's date stamp is fine. Save them in case you ever need them.
Check for leaks. If the car has an active fluid leak, tell us before pickup. Leaks can drip on other cars on the trailer, and the driver needs to know.
Check tire pressure. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation printed on the driver's-side door jamb. Properly inflated tires make loading and unloading safer.
Keep the fuel level appropriate. A quarter tank or less is a common industry guideline — enough to load, unload, and drive off the trailer without adding unnecessary weight.
Disable or remove toll transponders. If you leave an active toll tag on the windshield, you may be charged for every toll gantry the truck passes on the route. Remove it or seal it in a foil pouch.
Keep keys available. The driver needs a working key for loading and unloading. If you have a spare, this is a good use for it.
Disclose any mechanical issues (soft brakes, dead battery, non-running, non-steering) at booking, not on pickup day. Non-running vehicles need different equipment, and a surprise on pickup day usually means a rebooking.
Can I Ship a Non-Running Car?
Yes, in most cases. Non-running snowbird vehicles can be shipped, but the shipment needs different handling.
A non-running vehicle can't roll onto the trailer on its own power. The carrier needs a truck equipped with a winch, and the driver needs to know what to expect before arrival.
A few important points:
- Disclose the condition at booking, not on pickup day
- Say whether the vehicle can roll, steer, and brake — those three abilities affect what equipment is needed
- Non-running shipments usually cost more than running ones — winch-equipped trucks are less common on any given route
- Pickup windows may be wider, because fewer carriers on a route accept non-running loads
If you show up on pickup day with a non-running car the driver wasn't expecting, the load can be refused and you'll need to rebook. Telling us up front is the only way to avoid that.
What Types of Vehicles Can Snowbirds Ship?
Most vehicles ship the same way. A few need special handling.
- Sedans, SUVs, coupes, and hatchbacksstandard open transport
- Pickup trucks and vansstandard; check trailer height for lifted or modified trucks
- Electric vehiclesno special issue; carriers know to disable regenerative braking and secure the car by tow hooks
- Classic and antique carsenclosed recommended; confirm tire pressure and battery before pickup
- Luxury and exotic vehiclesenclosed; consider top-load placement and soft straps
- Motorcyclesusually a separate quote and a dedicated bike carrier or crate
- Non-running vehiclescarriers with winches; usually more expensive and slower to dispatch
- Oversized vehicles (dually pickups, extended cabs, lifted rigs)quoted individually; may take two slots on the trailer
If your snowbird vehicle isn't stock — lifted, lowered, oversized, or modified — mention it at booking. Height, weight, ground clearance, and any changes to the vehicle all affect which truck can carry it safely.
Can I Ship My Car South in the Fall and North in the Spring?
Yes. This is one of the most common snowbird questions.
You can arrange transport for both legs of your seasonal move — fall southbound and spring northbound. Each booking is treated as its own shipment, quoted based on current conditions on that specific date and route.
Two things worth planning around:
- Fall southbound (Northern home → Southern home): book early during peak weeks in October and November. Carriers fill quickly on Florida-bound routes.
- Spring northbound (Southern home → Northern home): book early during April, especially the last two weeks. Northbound demand out of Florida is heaviest then.
If you know your seasonal pattern is stable — the same two cities every year — mention that when you call. Some dispatchers can help you plan both legs at the same time so you have your dates in hand well in advance.
What Happens When the Carrier Picks Up My Car?
Pickup itself is straightforward. Here's what to expect.
- The driver calls ahead — usually the day before, then again as they get close — to confirm timing.
- You meet the driver at the pickup address, or at an agreed nearby location if the truck can't safely reach your street.
- The driver walks around the vehicle with you and documents its condition — existing scratches, dents, chips, cracked lenses, wheel scuffs.
- Every existing mark is recorded on a document called the Bill of Lading. This is the shipping record for your car.
- You both sign the Bill of Lading. You keep a copy.
- The car is loaded onto the trailer, secured, and the driver leaves.
Read the Bill of Lading carefully before signing. Anything not noted at pickup is much harder to raise later. If there's damage you don't see the driver record, ask them to add it before you sign. This document is the reference point for the whole shipment.
What Happens When My Car Is Delivered?
Delivery works the same way in reverse.
- The carrier calls you to confirm the delivery window — often the day before, then again as they get close.
- The truck unloads at your delivery address, or at a nearby safe location if the street can't accommodate the trailer.
- You inspect the car against the Bill of Lading from pickup.
- If everything matches, you sign the delivery copy of the Bill of Lading.
- If anything changed in transit — a new scratch, a broken mirror, anything at all — note it on the delivery copy before you sign.
- You pay the driver the remaining balance (typically by cashier's check or cash — the exact method is confirmed at booking).
If you spot new damage, don't sign a clean delivery form. Document it on the paperwork, take photos, and call us. Damage claims run through the carrier's cargo insurance, and the Bill of Lading is the primary evidence for any claim.
Can Weather Affect Snowbird Car Shipping?
Yes — and because snowbird transport runs during the seasons weather is most active, this matters.
Weather that can affect pickup or delivery timing:
- Snow and ice on northern legs of the route
- Hurricanes and tropical storms during the Atlantic season (June through November, with peak in August and September)
- Heavy rain and flooding along southern coastal routes
- Strong winds that make loading and unloading unsafe
- Road closures and traffic on major corridors like I-95, I-75, and I-10
Delivery dates on any auto transport shipment are estimates, not guarantees. This is true across the industry. Weather, traffic, mechanical issues on the truck, and other real-world conditions can shift a delivery by a day or two.
When something changes on your route, we tell you. Safety comes ahead of maintaining an exact schedule — a driver who pushes through a hurricane to hit a delivery date is not the driver you want moving your car.
7 Tips for a Smooth Snowbird Car Shipment
Simple advice that prevents most problems.
- 1Plan early during peak weeks. October, November, and April are the tightest windows. A little lead time pays off.
- 2Choose realistic pickup dates. A three- to five-day pickup window almost always gets a better price than a hard date.
- 3Give accurate vehicle information. Year, make, model, and condition — small errors here can affect the price when the driver arrives.
- 4Tell us if the vehicle doesn't run. Non-running cars need a winch-equipped truck. Surprise on pickup day means a rebooking.
- 5Remove personal belongings. Carrier insurance doesn't cover items left inside the vehicle.
- 6Photograph the car before pickup. Every panel, the roof, the wheels, the interior.
- 7Keep your phone available around pickup and delivery. Drivers call ahead. Missing the call can delay pickup or delivery by a day.
Common Snowbird Car Shipping Mistakes to Avoid
The problems we see most often on snowbird moves — and how to sidestep them.
Waiting until the last minute.
During peak weeks, prices and availability move fast. A same-week booking to Florida in the second half of October is going to look different from one booked three weeks out.
Giving an incomplete address.
The specific pickup and delivery addresses affect the route. A ZIP code isn't always enough — a rural pickup 40 minutes off the interstate quotes differently from one right next to it.
Not disclosing vehicle problems.
A soft brake, a dead battery, a car that will not steer, a non-stock modification — none of these should be a surprise on pickup day.
Leaving personal items inside.
Carrier cargo insurance doesn't cover them. Loose items can also be a hazard in transit.
Assuming delivery is an exact date.
Delivery windows are estimates. Weather, traffic, and mechanical delays are real.
Choosing open or enclosed without understanding the difference.
For most everyday vehicles, open is fine and cheaper. For classics, exotics, and low-clearance cars, enclosed is usually the better call.
Snowbird Car Shipping Checklist
Save this. Use it for both directions of your seasonal move.
Before Booking
- Confirm pickup and delivery addresses (both ZIP codes)
- Choose preferred pickup dates and a realistic window
- Gather vehicle details (year, make, model, condition)
- Compare open vs. enclosed transport
- Request a quote
Before Pickup
- Clean the vehicle
- Remove all personal belongings
- Take dated photos of every panel, the roof, and the interior
- Check for fluid leaks; report any at booking
- Check tire pressure
- Disable or remove active toll transponders
- Keep the fuel level per company guidance
- Have working keys ready
- Confirm the driver's contact info the day before pickup
At Delivery
- Inspect every panel against the Bill of Lading
- Note any new damage on the delivery copy before signing
- Take delivery photos
- Pay the driver's remaining balance
- Keep your copy of the completed Bill of Lading
Why Choose Furious Auto Shipping for Snowbird Car Transport?
A few things that actually matter for a seasonal move.
- Nationwide coverage.We book snowbird transport in both directions across all 48 continental states, including the busy southbound corridors into Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California.
- Seasonal-route familiarity.We book these lanes every fall and every spring. Dispatchers know which routes tighten first, which weeks the price shifts, and how much lead time a specific origin-destination pair usually needs.
- Open and enclosed options.Both are available on most routes. If you're unsure which fits your vehicle, we'll tell you honestly.
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery where access allows.When a full-size truck can't safely reach a residential street, we let you know at booking and arrange a nearby meeting location.
- Support throughout the shipment.One point of contact from quote through delivery. You aren't handed off to a new person each time you call.
- Booked through a licensed FMCSA broker.Every shipment is arranged under active FMCSA broker authority. The broker is named on the booking agreement you sign, and every carrier we release your car to is verified for active authority and current cargo insurance before dispatch.
Snowbird Car Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
The questions snowbirds ask most before their first seasonal shipment. Can't find yours? Give us a call.
Snowbird car shipping is seasonal auto transport for people who spend part of the year in a warmer place and part of the year somewhere cooler. Instead of driving your car back and forth, you have it shipped and you fly between homes.
There is no single price. Your cost depends on distance, vehicle size, whether you choose open or enclosed transport, the pickup window, and seasonal demand on your route. For a real number on your shipment, use the quote form or call (918) 255-5904.
For fall southbound moves, most customers book two to four weeks ahead of a mid-October to mid-January pickup. For spring northbound moves, most customers book two to four weeks ahead of a mid-March to early-May pickup. The busier the week, the more lead time helps.
Roughly 1–3 days for a 500-mile move, 3–5 days for around 1,000 miles, and 7–10 days coast-to-coast — pickup to delivery, once the carrier is dispatched. Add a few days on the front end for the pickup window, especially during peak snowbird weeks.
Open is fine for most everyday vehicles and costs less. Enclosed is worth the extra cost for classics, exotics, luxury vehicles, low-clearance cars, and anything with paint or a finish that is expensive to replace.
Yes. New York to Florida is one of the most common snowbird routes we book each fall. See our New York to Florida route page for details on that specific lane.
Yes. Northbound Florida to New York is one of our busiest lanes each April. Book early during peak spring weeks.
Yes. SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans ship on the same open carriers as sedans. Larger or modified vehicles may quote higher because they use more space on the trailer.
Yes, in most cases — but tell us at booking. Non-running vehicles need a carrier with a winch and usually cost more. Do not surprise the driver on pickup day.
Usually, yes — through our door-to-door service. If your street is too narrow or restricted for a full-size auto carrier, the driver will arrange to meet you at a nearby safe location.
The driver will call ahead and meet you at a nearby location the truck can safely reach — typically a large parking lot within a few miles. This is normal in the industry and prevents damage on tight residential streets.
Yes. Carriers are not licensed to transport household goods, and their cargo insurance does not cover items left inside the vehicle. Loose items can also become a hazard in transit.
Clean it, remove personal items, take dated photos of every panel, check tire pressure and fuel level, disable toll transponders, and disclose any mechanical issues at booking. See the pre-shipping checklist on this page.
Yes. Delivery dates are estimates and can shift because of snow, ice, hurricanes, flooding, road closures, or traffic. When something changes on your route, we let you know.
Someone authorized needs to be there — you, a spouse, a family member, or another designated person. Their name and phone number should be on the booking. They will do the walkaround inspection with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading.
Yes, or someone you have designated on the booking. The receiver needs to inspect the vehicle, note any new damage, sign the Bill of Lading, and pay the remaining balance.
Fill in the online quote form or call (918) 255-5904. Have your pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle year, make, and model, vehicle condition, and preferred pickup dates ready.
Yes. Each direction is booked as its own shipment, but if your seasonal pattern is stable, mention that when you call — we can help you plan both legs and give you a sense of what to expect on each.
Ready for Your Seasonal Move?
Tell us the pickup city and ZIP, where the car is going, and when you'd like it picked up. We'll build a quote from current market conditions on your route.
Quote is free. No deposit until a carrier is assigned to your dates.