To ship a car to Florida without the stress, order about a week before pickup and make sure your price matches what the market is paying that week. That matters most during snowbird season, when more cars need to ship to Florida than there are spaces on car carriers.
If you're shipping a car to Florida this winter, this one piece of advice could save your sanity. “Snowbird Season” is by far the most maddening time in car transport (mainly for customers).
Our advice is plain and simple, and we'll explain it below:
Do NOT place your order until the week before you want your vehicle shipped. Seven to 10 days out is the sweet spot.
We know that sounds wild. We can imagine what's going on in your head right now: “How can that be?” “Won't I get a cheaper rate?” “I've got A LOT to plan, and I want this off my plate!” “These people at Ship a Car Direct are nuts!”
Bear with us. We're going to get a bit technical first, and then we'll explain why.
Why Car Transport Isn’t Like Booking a Flight
Car transport is an open-market system.
That means the cost to ship a car depends on the current conditions of any particular move. Yes, that always includes the price of gas, but in this case it has more to do with the sheer volume of cars that have to be shipped within a very small time window on a limited number of car carriers.
Basically, it's back to Economics 101: supply and demand. (We just heard half of you fall asleep.)
There is no such thing as being “in line” for a spot on a car carrier, and booking isn't like making a reservation on an airline. You have to get over comparing car transport to airlines altogether. Booking early saves you money on a flight, but that doesn't apply to car transport, especially when you ship a car to Florida.
When push comes to shove, if everyone is offering $X to ship their car to Florida and you offer $X + $100, guess who the truck driver, trying to run a profitable business, will see at the front of the line?
Exactly.
What Snowbird Season Does to Florida Car Shipping Prices
During snowbird season, more cars need to ship to Florida in December and January than there are truck spaces to haul them. Demand for truck space is high, and supply is low. That puts a premium on carrier spots, and carriers can charge whatever the market will pay. Prices peak in the days just after Christmas.
The spring, when cars head back north, is similar but more spread out. Cars moving the opposite way during those stretches are often cheap and ship quickly.
If your dates are flexible, ship early in the fall for the trip south, and sometime in March for the trip north. Shipping south after Thanksgiving weekend, or north after Easter, falls in the busiest and most expensive stretches. For more on timing, see our tips on shipping a car during peak season and our page on snowbird car shipping.
How We Price Your Move So It Actually Gets Picked Up
That's why, when you call us about shipping a car to Florida (or from Florida in the spring), and you are still a few weeks away from your move, we'll tell you something along these lines:
“Well, THIS is what it costs currently, and THIS is what it was last year at the time you're looking to ship. What we'll need to do is look at the competition, meaning similar cars within 25 miles of you going to the same destination at the same time, and make sure we're priced in line with them, or just slightly better.”
Beware of Prices That Are Too Good to Be True
Some companies will let you book far in advance at a rate that may be too low by the time your move date arrives. You may spend the next few weeks thinking all is well. But if your move date rolls around and you're offering $100 less than the going rate, your car sits waiting while you hear excuses and requests for more money.
Our guide to comparing car shipping quotes shows you how to spot a price that won't hold.
So keep your wits about you. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and the move may not be as cheap as you'd hoped. But get your car priced right when it's time to move, and you'll be in the driver's seat (literally) while your fellow snowbirds are still waiting for pickup.
What to Expect When You Book
- Start with a rough number. You're always welcome to use our Free Quote Calculator to get a rough idea of what costs may be, and it requires no personal info. When you're ready to move, request a custom quote.
- Know when you pay. We don't charge the deposit until we assign and confirm a carrier. Once you have the carrier's information, the deposit is due. Our terms and conditions set out each payment.
- Treat dates as estimates. A pickup date you request is a request, not a promise, and a carrier's dates are projections. The driver typically calls the afternoon or evening before pickup and delivery.
- Allow for the drive. A carrier covers roughly 250 to 300 miles on an average day, so a coast-to-coast move takes 7 to 10 days, and a trip of a few hundred miles can take a day or two.
Plan for Hard-to-Reach Florida Addresses
Some addresses are tough for a long truck to reach: narrow roads, power lines, low trees, city ordinances, and gated communities. If the carrier can't get to your address, the driver will find a safe nearby spot, such as a shopping center lot, where you can meet. Our page on door-to-door auto transport explains how pickup and delivery work.
We ship to and from cities across the state, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. See our Florida routes and transit times for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book to ship a car to Florida?
Book about a week before you want the car picked up, ideally 7 to 10 days out. Booking months ahead doesn't help, because there is no line or reservation on a car carrier, and the price that works is the one the carrier will accept that week.
Why is it so expensive to ship a car to Florida in winter?
More cars need to ship to Florida in December and January than there are truck spaces. Carriers can charge whatever the market will pay for those spots, and prices peak just after Christmas. Cars shipping the opposite way are often cheap and quick.
What is the best time to ship a car to Florida?
The best time to ship south is early fall, and to ship north is sometime in March. After Thanksgiving weekend going south, and after Easter going north, are the busiest and most expensive times.
How long does it take to ship a car to Florida?
A carrier covers roughly 250 to 300 miles on an average day, so a coast-to-coast shipment takes 7 to 10 days. A move of a few hundred miles can take a day or two. Dates are estimates, so allow some flexibility.
Do I pay a deposit when I book?
We don't charge the deposit until we assign and confirm a carrier. Once you have the carrier's information, we'll require the deposit.
Ready to Price Your Florida Move?
Get a free car shipping quote when your move date is close, or call us at 866-221-1664.
