Skip to content
Mon–Fri 8am–8pm ET (888) 555-7482
Snowbird Car Shippinga service of CarShippingHub
Seasonal Auto Transport

Snowbird car shipping across the Sun Belt.

We help snowbirds move vehicles between northern states and the four leading winter destinations — Florida, Arizona, Texas and California. Licensed broker, seasonal expertise, and coordination from quote to delivery.

  • Four destination clusters: Florida, Arizona, Texas, California
  • Open and enclosed transport for seasonal shipments
  • Concierge coordination for pickup, delivery and check-ins
  • Transparent quotes with no upfront deposit required
Free Snowbird Quote
Get shipping options in three quick steps

Step 1 of 3 — Route.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
Route Details
Licensed Broker
Federally regulated auto transport broker
Insured Carriers
Every carrier maintains active cargo insurance
Nationwide Network
Coverage across all 48 contiguous states
Snowbird Specialists
Focused on seasonal routes since 2011
Snowbird Routes

Popular seasonal auto transport corridors

Snowbird transportation is a peak-and-lull business. These are among the most heavily traveled snowbird routes we support each season.

Origin States

Where snowbird shipments start

See snowbird auto transport information for the northern states most snowbirds travel from each fall.

Snowbird Season

Timing your seasonal auto transport

Snowbird routes are peak-driven. Understanding the seasonal calendar helps you avoid booking bottlenecks and price spikes.

SepBook Early

Best pricing and pickup flexibility

OctPeak South

Fall rush begins — book 2–3 weeks ahead

NovPeak South

Highest volume for southbound shipments

DecLate Season

Last-minute southbound shipments

JanSteady

Slower pace, off-peak windows

FebSteady

Mid-season lull for auto transport

MarEarly North

Snowbirds begin heading home

AprPeak North

Northbound rush begins

MayPeak North

Highest volume for northbound

JunWind Down

Last returning snowbird shipments

Southbound Season

Snowbirds typically ship south from early October through mid-December. Reserving 2–3 weeks in advance secures better pricing and predictable pickup windows.

Northbound Season

The return north peaks from late March through mid-May. April is the busiest single month; book early to avoid the end-of-season crunch.

How Snowbird Car Shipping Works

A simple, seasonal process

Snowbirds have a lot to think about at the start and end of the season. We keep vehicle transportation straightforward from quote to delivery.

  1. 01
    Request a Quote

    Tell us your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and your requested pickup date. Takes about two minutes.

  2. 02
    Review Your Options

    A member of our team reviews carrier availability along your route and helps you compare transportation options.

  3. 03
    Schedule Pickup

    Once you approve, your assigned carrier is dispatched and pickup is coordinated with you directly.

  4. 04
    Track and Deliver

    Stay in touch with your carrier during transit, then receive your vehicle at your winter or summer destination.

Snowbird Car Shipping Cost

What snowbirds typically pay

Snowbird auto transport pricing depends on distance, vehicle, transport type, and how far in advance you book. Here are the primary factors that shape your quote.

1

Route distance

Longer distances raise total transport cost, but per-mile pricing typically drops for longer runs like Michigan to Florida.

2

Vehicle size and condition

Larger vehicles take up more space on a carrier. Non-running vehicles need special equipment and cost more to move.

3

Transport type

Enclosed transport costs more than open transport but protects the vehicle from weather and road debris.

4

Season and timing

Peak snowbird months (October–December southbound, April–May northbound) drive higher demand and pricing.

5

Location accessibility

Rural or hard-to-reach pickup and delivery addresses may require terminal pickup or a longer coordination window.

6

Fuel and market conditions

Auto transport pricing tracks diesel prices, carrier availability, and lane demand — none of which are fixed year-round.

Round-Trip Snowbird Shipping

Plan both legs of the season

Most snowbirds ship in the fall to reach your winter destination, then ship again in the spring to return home. Planning both legs in advance helps you lock in pickup windows on either end and avoid the peak-season rush.

Request Both Legs
  1. Fall — Southbound
    Oct – Dec
    • Book 3–4 weeks ahead of your travel date
    • Winter home reached before you drive
    • Fly to your destination and pick up the car
  2. Spring — Northbound
    Mar – May
    • Book while you are still at your winter home
    • Northbound carriers are lightest early April
    • Arrive home to a car waiting for summer
Round-trip planning is not a guaranteed discount. It is a scheduling advantage — you get earlier access to carrier availability on both legs, which typically means better pickup windows.
Snowbird Reviews

What snowbirds say about seasonal auto transport

Feedback from real customers who’ve moved vehicles north and south with our team.

“We had our Buick picked up in Rochester and delivered to Naples right when we arrived. Communication with the broker team was excellent from start to finish.”
Barbara & Jim R.
Rochester, NY → Naples, FL
“This is our third season using Snowbird Car Shipping. Reliable pickup windows and honest carrier updates. Highly recommend for retirees like us.”
Frank M.
Grand Rapids, MI → Fort Myers, FL
“The team walked me through everything I needed to prepare on the vehicle. Delivery was on time and the driver was courteous.”
Diane K.
Boston, MA → Sarasota, FL
Snowbird Car Shipping

Snowbird car shipping that feels easy

Shipping your car for the winter should be simple. That is what we do. We help snowbirds move their vehicles between home and their winter place.

Snowbird car shipping is a service built for people who spend part of the year in a warm state. You skip the long drive. A licensed carrier picks your car up at home. Then they bring it to your winter address. In the spring, we do the trip the other way. You save miles, time, and stress — and your car is waiting for you when you land.

We work the main snowbird lanes every day. Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California are our four home destinations. From the Northeast, the Midwest, the Mountain West, and Canada, we move cars south in the fall and north in the spring. Snowbird Car Shipping is a service of CarShippingHub, a licensed snowbird auto transport broker.

What is snowbird car shipping?

Snowbird car shipping is a seasonal auto transport service. It moves a vehicle between a snowbird's main home and their winter home. Most trips happen in the fall (southbound) and the spring (northbound). The service is open to anyone, but it is built around the snowbird season.

Why snowbirds pick our auto transport team

  • Licensed broker
    We are a licensed snowbird auto transport broker, not a random third party.
  • Snowbird lanes every day
    We book Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California routes year round, with a strong peak-season team.
  • Simple Booking Payment
    We collect 10% of total shipping cost as deposit to book a truck and rest amount will be paid at the time of delivery.
  • Door-to-door service
    The carrier gets as close to your door as the truck can safely reach — at both ends.
  • Real people on the phone
    A snowbird specialist answers your call during our open hours. No long robot menus.
  • Open and enclosed options
    Open transport for most cars. Enclosed for luxury, classic, or collector cars that need extra cover.

How our snowbird vehicle shipping service works

  1. Get a quote
    Use the form at the top of this page or call us. It takes about two minutes.
  2. Pick a pickup window
    We lock in a pickup window that fits your plan. Most windows are one to three days wide.
  3. Driver pickup
    A licensed carrier arrives at your home, checks the car with you, and loads it on the truck.
  4. Transit
    Your car heads straight to your winter home. We give you a transit window when you book.
  5. Delivery
    You walk around the car with the driver at delivery. If everything looks right, you pay the carrier and drive away.

Most snowbird routes take 3 to 8 days once your car is picked up. Short East Coast runs can be as fast as 2 to 4 days. Long Northeast to Southwest routes can take 6 to 9 days. We share a transit range at booking so you can plan around it.

The best time to book snowbird car shipping

Peak season runs October through December for southbound trips. The spring peak runs April through May for the trip home. These are the busiest weeks for carriers. Book 2 to 3 weeks before your pickup date for the best price and date choices. If you can be flexible on your pickup day, you often get a better rate.

What snowbird car shipping costs

Most snowbird shipments cost between $800 and $1,500 one way. Price depends on your route, your car type, your pickup date, and open vs enclosed transport. Enclosed costs about 30 to 50 percent more. For a planning number, use our snowbird car shipping cost calculator. For an exact number, ask us for a free quote.

Snowbird destinations we ship to

Our four home destinations are the leading U.S. snowbird states:

Ready to Ship

Get your free snowbird car shipping quote

Snowbird car shipping is what we do best. Fill out a free quote or call (888) 555-7482. A snowbird specialist will follow up with pricing and carrier options for your route.

Book your snowbird shipment before the seasonal rush.

Fall southbound demand peaks in October and November. Request your free quote today and lock in preferred pickup dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Snowbird auto transport, explained

Common questions we hear from snowbirds preparing to move a vehicle north or south.

How much does snowbird car shipping cost?
Most snowbird car shipping costs between $800 and $1,500 one way. The exact price depends on the distance, your vehicle size, the time of year, and whether you pick open or enclosed transport. Peak snowbird season (October to December, April to May) usually adds $150 to $300. For a quick estimate, use our snowbird car shipping cost calculator. For an exact number, ask us for a free quote.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car as a snowbird?
Open transport is the cheapest and most common way to ship a car. To save more, book early and pick a wider pickup window — 2 or 3 days instead of a single day. Shipping just before or just after the peak weeks also saves money. Our free quote shows you both open and enclosed options side by side.
How long does snowbird car shipping take?
Most snowbird car shipping takes 3 to 8 days once your car is picked up. A short East Coast trip (New York to Florida) can take 2 to 4 days. A long trip (Boston to Phoenix) can take 6 to 9 days. We give you a transit window when you book so you can plan around it.
When should snowbirds ship their car south for the winter?
Most snowbirds ship their car between October and December. The busiest weeks are late October through mid-November. We suggest you book 2 to 3 weeks before your pickup date. That gives you more date choices and often a better price. If you can ship in late September or early October, you may save even more.
How far in advance should snowbirds book car shipping?
Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead of your pickup date for the best mix of price and date choice. In peak weeks (mid-October through November and April), book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Last-minute booking is possible but often costs more and gives you fewer choices.
Are pickup and delivery dates guaranteed?
Auto transport dates are estimates, not guarantees. Weather, road conditions, hours-of-service rules, and route logistics can shift schedules by a day or two. Your requested pickup date is a target, not a fixed appointment. We give you a date window at booking so you can plan around it.
Can I book a round-trip car shipping for the whole winter?
Yes. Many snowbirds book both legs at once — a southbound trip in the fall and a northbound trip in the spring. You can book both at the same time or one at a time. Booking both legs early helps you lock in both pickup windows during the busiest weeks.
Is it worth shipping a car to Florida for the winter?
For many snowbirds, yes. Driving 1,000 to 2,000 miles twice a year costs gas, hotel stays, time, and wear on the car. Shipping lets you fly to Florida and have your car waiting at your winter home. It is also safer than driving long trips alone in winter weather. Many snowbirds say the time saved is worth the cost.
What is the difference between open and enclosed transport?
Open transport is the most common option and moves your vehicle on a standard multi-car carrier. Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer to protect the vehicle from weather and road debris. Enclosed usually costs 30 to 50 percent more and is often chosen for luxury, classic, or collector cars.
Is snowbird car shipping safe for my vehicle?
Yes. Every carrier we work with is licensed with the FMCSA and carries active cargo insurance. For most standard cars, open transport is safe and widely used. For luxury, classic, or collector cars, you can pick enclosed transport for extra cover from weather and road debris.
Is my vehicle insured during transport?
Yes. Every motor carrier we work with maintains active cargo insurance as required by federal regulations. You can request a copy of the carrier's certificate of insurance before pickup, and the policy covers damage that happens while the vehicle is in the carrier's care.
Can I pack items in my car when shipping it as a snowbird?
You can usually leave a small amount of personal items in the car — up to about 100 pounds. Keep them low in the car, below the window line. Do not pack anything of high value, important papers, or anything fragile. Each carrier has its own rule, so check before pickup.
Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?
Yes, or an authorized adult (18 or older) must be there in your place. They will walk around the car with the driver, note any marks on the bill of lading, and confirm condition at pickup. The same check happens at delivery before you drive away.
Do you ship snowbird vehicles to all 50 states?
Our main focus is the four leading snowbird destinations: Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California. We also arrange shipping on other U.S. lanes on request. Call us or get a free quote to check your exact route. We work closely with origin states across the Northeast, Midwest, and Mountain West.
Broker Transparency

Snowbird Car Shipping is a service of CarShippingHub, a licensed auto transport broker. We arrange vehicle transportation through a network of licensed and insured motor carriers.

Talk to a Snowbird Specialist

Prefer to speak with someone about your route? Call (888) 555-7482. Our specialists are available Mon–Fri 8am–8pm ET · Sat 9am–4pm ET.

New to snowbird shipping? Learn how snowbird car shipping works.