Snowbird Shipping: How to Ship Your Car South for the Winter
Fly South for the Winter: We’ll Ship Your Car with an Auto Transport Service
Leave the winter challenges behind and let an auto transport service deliver your car South. Winter is beautiful, but if you’re a snowbird you’re familiar with the hassles that go along with snow-covered streets and postcard winter scenes. If you travel to Florida, Texas or California for the winter, you can save yourself the driving hassle by shipping your car in an open or enclosed car carrier to meet you at your warm and sunny destination. Forget the snow-shoveling, slush-spraying, ice-breaking struggles. Get a ticket to fly south and let us take care of shipping your car to meet you at your destination.
How Much Will It Cost to Ship My Car to Another State?
The cost to ship your car south for the winter will vary depending on the weight of your car, the date you plan to pick up your car, and the number of miles the auto transport carrier needs to travel. You can get an estimate of how much it will cost to ship your car by filling out our online shipping form. We have many reputable open carriers and enclosed carriers that will work with you to ship your car safely and within a reasonable amount of time.
The truckers are busy in the winter with Snowbirds heading down the highways, and auto transport prices may be higher in the early winter. To save money, you could make arrangements to ship your car in the fall and have a neighbor or friend pick up your car for you. This is a convenient option if you have two cars and leave one of your cars at your Northern city home.
What Cities Can You Ship My Car To?
Do you need to ship your car from any of snow-friendly these cities?
- Chicago, Illinois
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Denver, Colorado
- New York City, New York
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Hoboken, New Jersey
- Seattle, Washington
To any of these sunny Southern cities?
- Miami, Florida
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Austin, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- Phoenix, Arizona
We work with auto transport carriers that ship to major cities and surrounding metropolitan areas. The large, 10,000-pound car shipping carriers aren’t allowed on many side streets and can’t maneuver in narrow condominium and resort parking lots, so there are drop off points arranged to make the pickup and delivery process easier for everyone. You’ll be able to confirm the exact locations when you make final arrangements with the car shipping company. You can use our easy shipping form online to see how much it will cost to ship your car South for the winter.
Should I use an Open Carrier or Enclosed Carrier?
If you want to ship a , then the added cost of shipping your car with an enclosed car carrier is an investment worth making. Exposing specialty cars to the elements over a lengthy, wintry, interstate drive would expose the car to construction and flying debris that the luxury car would not otherwise be exposed to. Enclosed carrier vehicle haulers use glove-handling, low impact ramps and soft tie-downs to protect the car being transported. An enclosed carrier auto transport company is recommended if you’re shipping a luxury car such as a high-end BMW or Mercedes.
However, if you live in New York, Chicago or Boston areas and are shipping your value-purchased Honda, Chevy, Ford or VW, an . Your car will be more protected being shipped on open car carrier driving down the interstate than it would be driving around a big city in the winter.
Can I Pack Items in My Car on the Open Carrier?
Auto transport companies will tell you no. It’s very important that you do not put heavy items in your car. Big trucks like open car carriers have strict weight limits that are recorded and are subject to inspection. The required weight limits are derived from a ”bridge formula” that limits weight based on a truck’s axles. The formula started because as trucks got heavier and more frequent, they put more pressure on bridges. Some states allow different weights because the laws were grandfathered in. There is a Gross Weight, Single Axle Weight, and Tandem Weight that is factored in. When an auto transport company knows the year, make and model of your car, they can determine the manufacturer’s weight and calculate their gross load accordingly. An overweight truck delayed for being overweight can cause a blizzard of problems. That said, a couple blankets or pillows in your trunk should not make a difference.
Is My Car Covered by Insurance While Being Shipped South?
Insurance for auto transport companies is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation. Insurance policies for the auto transport company must be in place that range between $750,000 and $5,000,000, depending on the type of vehicles and cargo involved. Open carriers and enclosed carriers are required to be bonded. Car carriers hauling vehicles and traveling across multiple states are also subject to strict regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
How to Move Your Car South for the Winter So You Can Fly:
- Find an auto transport company that ships near you. (Our carriers ship cars for Snowbirds.)
- Complete the instant quote form to see how much it will cost to ship your car to your Southern destination.
- Confirm the car carrier company can ship for dates coinciding with your departure and arrival.
- Prepare your car for shipping. (Clear, clean, wash and wax. )
- View the auto transport carrier company’s certificate of insurance.
- Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website and search for the motor carrier company. Confirm they are insured and registered.
- Confirm specific dates for pickup and delivery with the auto transport company.
- Make arrangements with friends, if needed.
- Review your car insurance.
- Review the information from the auto transport company and agree to the service. (If everything is correct.)
- The day the auto transport company picks up your car, take pictures and confirm the condition.
- Enjoy your flight South.
- When you and your car are together again, take another picture to confirm it arrived safely.
- Enjoy the warm weather!
Sunshine Awaits You! Stop Shoveling and Ship Your Car South
In the time it takes to put on your boots, hats, gloves and scarf, you can fill out the form to get a quote on how much it will cost to ship your car south. Our professional auto transport drivers will take care of your car on the road, so you can get on a plane and head south. Try our auto transport carriers. We’re sure you’ll warm up to their excellent service. Enjoy the sun!