When to book the southbound run
The single biggest pricing lever for snowbird shipping is booking ahead. Southbound capacity (everything going to Florida, Arizona, and Texas) gets booked weeks in advance starting in late September. By mid-October, rates are 20–30% higher than they were six weeks earlier, and pickup windows stretch from 2 days to 7–10 days.
Sweet spot: book between September 1 and October 15 for a November or December pickup. You lock the lower rate, you get your choice of pickup date, and you avoid the rush. We don't charge anything to book — your card is pre-authorized, not charged.
When to book the northbound return
Northbound demand peaks April through mid-May as snowbirds head home. Same dynamic in reverse: book by mid-March to lock rates and pickup dates. If you're flexible on timing and can ship in late May or June, prices drop materially because northbound capacity is in surplus as carriers reposition for the summer relocation season.
Two-direction booking discounts
If you know your northbound return date when you book the southbound trip, we can quote both legs together and lock a coordinated discount. This is especially valuable if you ship the same vehicle every year — we keep your details on file so re-quoting next season is one click.
What to do with the car between trips
Most snowbirds leave their vehicle at their southern home through the season. If you're concerned about storage, ask your gated community or HOA whether they offer covered parking. For high-value vehicles, consider booking enclosed transport (vs. open) — at this distance, the premium is typically $400–$800 and protects against road debris over the season's miles.
Major snowbird corridors we run weekly
Southbound: NYC ↔ Florida (all major FL cities), Boston ↔ Florida, Chicago ↔ Florida, Detroit ↔ Florida, Cleveland ↔ Florida, Minneapolis ↔ Arizona/Texas, Cincinnati ↔ Florida. Northbound: same lanes in reverse.
Less common but supported: Pacific Northwest ↔ Arizona, Mountain West ↔ Texas, Mid-Atlantic ↔ Florida. If you have a route we don't list, the quoting tool will price it — every US ZIP is covered.
Get a quote in 60 seconds
Real, all-in pricing. Pay only when your car arrives.