Each winter, over 1.2 million people fly or drive down to warmer climates in the USA, making them part of the snowbird migration! For seasonal residents and retirees alike, the annual trip offers a break from the cold, but relocating a vehicle for the journey is a time-consuming chore.
Although many people drive it straight through, long-distance overland travel often entails days behind the wheel, rising fuel prices, and excessive wear and tear on your car or truck. Snowbird car shipping offers a practical alternative to driving. By using a vehicle transport company, you can spend your time preparing for your new location, making plans, and booking nearby attractions instead of being on the road for days and miles.
Preowned Auto Logistics offers hassle-free snowbird auto transport services that streamline even the most complicated vehicle relocation.
Whether you’re traveling to a beach condo in Florida, a vacation cabin in the Arizona desert, or any other seasonal warm-weather destination, PAL’s team is here to provide safe, speedy, and personalized seasonal vehicle transport that exceeds your expectations.
Snowbird Car Shipping Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide to our snowbird car shipping process, reassuring you from your first quote to the delivery of your vehicle to your winter home:
Step 1: Request a quote online: PAL’s quick quote form only requires basic information such as the make and model of your vehicle, pick-up location, and delivery date. We ensure fair pricing using proprietary routing software that analyzes the best route for us and provides an estimate for door-to-door car shipping.
Step 2: Get the vehicle ready: Before the transporter arrives, we recommend completing a simple preloading checklist. This includes removing all personal items, checking all fluid levels, ensuring the vehicle battery is charged, and taking time-stamped photos of the vehicle to document its condition. Customers seeking extra protection can opt for enclosed auto transport for an added fee.
Step 3: Pick up: On the day of the vehicle pick-up, our drivers will keep you informed of their progress. The transport truck has GPS tracking, so you’ll always know the truck’s location.
Step 4: In transit: Whether you require long-distance car shipping to a home across state lines or are simply driving your vehicle to a slightly warmer climate, our fleet follows federal safety requirements. We also have a dedicated Florida car shipping service for snowbirds headed to the Gulf Coast, ensuring your vehicle arrives on schedule before winter’s peak.
Step 5: Drop-off & inspection: Once the transport truck arrives at your southern residence, the carrier will contact you to arrange the delivery. When the transport truck arrives, we will walk the vehicle with the customer on drop-off to ensure it matches the photos completed before loading. If you require a return trip, we offer round-trip shipping, allowing you to schedule your return beforehand and avoid the spring thaw hold.
Each of these steps is part of Snowbird Services at Preowned Auto Logistics, providing clarity and peace of mind throughout the entire process.
Why Snowbirds Choose Auto Transport Over Driving
Numerous practical reasons explain the choice to ship a vehicle instead of driving, especially for snowbirds.
Avoid winter traffic
Winter is the peak travel time on major interstates. Not only do traffic jams slow you down, but they also increase your chance of accidents. Driving yourself can turn a 2-day trip into a week-long one. Don’t risk your safety. By transporting your vehicle, you put the miles in the hands of the over-the-road experts who know the best routes and avoid traffic problems.
Poor road conditions harm your car.
A long drive means adding mileage to the odometer, adding wear and tear to the braking system, and exposing the car to road debris, rain, ice, snow, or salt. Shipping it for the season reduces wear and preserves resale value. We load your car into an enclosed transport van and keep it there until it reaches its final destination, without opening the doors. When your car goes into storage for the summer, it’s in the same pristine condition it was in when it left for Florida.
Older people have special concerns.
Most snowbirds are retired and would like to stay alive and comfortable. Driving takes a physical toll, especially if you have arthritis, back issues, or limited mobility. Winter relocation auto transport eliminates backaches and fatigue as well as overnight stays in indifferent hotels.
Better overall cost
Fuel, food, motel, and incidental expenses add up. But door-to-door vehicle shipping costs less than driving your vehicle yourself in most cases. Our all-inclusive pricing points are final, making it easy to budget for the entire season. You don’t know how much to expect when you click your way across the country, but you can calculate auto shipping costs down to the penny.
Carbon footprint
By putting several cars on the same transport carrier instead of having each owner drive across the country, the overall carbon footprint is lower. Ship your vehicle enclosed for the added protection you need for classic or other unique models, but also to ensure that the van’s load capacity is used effectively.
Pros and Cons of Seasonal Vehicle Transportation
If you move between regions seasonally, like Northern retirees heading south for the winter or summer vacationers heading to chillier locales, seasonal vehicle transportation offers a valuable service. Explore the pros and cons of seasonal transport to help you decide if it’s appropriate for your upcoming move.
Advantages of seasonal vehicle transportation
#1. Convenience and peace of mind
Convenience is likely the most significant advantage. Rather than driving your vehicle across multiple states, it frees you to have it delivered right to your destination. Taking a one-way trip from New York to Florida in January adds 1,200 winter miles to a car.
A long drive, especially with the risk of roadway incidents, is avoided. Plus, you can skip unloading boxes upon arrival in Florida to wait for a rental car to make your way to your seasonal rental. What a treat it is to know your vehicle will arrive in Florida before you, so you can fly to your Airbnb and place an order for your car to show up the next day.
#2. Timely service to match seasonal schedules
Transport companies have busy schedules around seasonal moves. If you need your vehicle in a specific location, such as Arizona, by December, speak with your carrier, and they can likely plan around it. Homes and businesses run on schedules, too. Understanding the time constraints brought on by seasonal moves is a familiar practice for transporters.
You won’t have to worry about whether your car will arrive before you do, so that you can ensure you can hit the holiday family reunion at the new house without delay. You won’t need to settle in first, either, before getting to know your new hometown and running the essential errands to make your first day in a different state a normal one.
#3. Insurance and professional handling included
Car insurance and professional drivers are additional coverage details that many people may not realize are included.
For example, during transport, if a rock flies up from the road and chips the hood of your SUV, the damage won’t come out of your pocket; instead, it gets repaired under the carrier’s insurance policy. The transporter drivers in open-air trucks are professionals, too, trained to load and unload deliveries of multiple vehicle types, everything from hybrids to Iced-Out Hellcat challengers—safely and securely.
Disadvantages of seasonal vehicle transportation
#1. Must book in advance for exact pickup and delivery dates
It’s a disadvantage that it’s often difficult to get the exact date you want for pickup or delivery. Typically, the more unusual or busier the month of your planned move is, the sooner you want to book the transporter.
For example, if you plan to leave in October for a warmer state to avoid winter’s onset, you should book your shipment in August. A last-minute decision two weeks before departure may find the only available time slots beyond your desired moving date. About the only thing worse is finding out you have to leave before the vehicle is picked up, only to reschedule later.
#2. Variable costs based on distance and size of vehicle
Price is likely the disadvantage that varies the most. Usually, the further the vehicle is driven, the greater the charge, but a cross-country move by another mile may cost less. Additionally, transport fees for each vehicle type differ widely because larger pickup trucks, along with taller trucks and SUVs, including heavy-duty versions, are often priced significantly higher.
It’s best to get an estimate or two (or more) as early as possible after you pick your direction and destination. For example, the average cost to ship a car from the New Jersey/New York triangle to Florida ranges from about $900 to $1,200, and $1,800 or more for cross-country transport.
Choosing the Best Shipping Method for Snowbirds
Selecting between open and enclosed auto transport is one of the first things you will need to decide when transporting your vehicle for the season. Open carriers are the standard method and are most cost-efficient. They are great when transporting standard cars.
Enclosed transport entails moving vehicles in a fully enclosed trailer. This is a safer option designed to protect rare or desirable cars from inclement weather and road debris. You may consider this option for classic vehicles, luxury vehicles, or transporting during a particularly stormy winter season.
Importance of selecting a reputable provider
Selecting a reputable transport provider is, equally, a critical decision. Very few auto transporters have experience with the repeat seasonal transports that many snowbirds have come to rely on. Choosing an established carrier with an excellent reputation will ensure that your vehicle is routed efficiently, received on time, and not left sitting on the side of the road.
In addition to selecting an option, consider asking your provider a couple of questions before proceeding with your transport.
- When should I book?
- What is your extended weather policy?
- Are there any weather-related issues that arise during transit?
- Is it possible to track the vehicle once dispatched?
It is always best to have these questions sorted out and answered before proceeding with the shipment.
Why Snowbirds Rely on Preowned Auto Logistics
Each year, thousands of seasonal travelers trust Preowned Auto Logistics for their vehicle shipping needs. With years of experience, we understand the particular requirements of seasonal snowbirds and provide dependable transport for your car or truck. With our reliable services, you won’t have to think twice about whether your vehicle will arrive at your destination safely and on time; you can focus on enjoying your life away from home.
Nationwide network
From the East Coast to the Southwest and every other region in between, PAL understands which routes bring vehicles to the major snowbird destinations on our continent. Whenever and wherever your travels take you, our extensive network ensures we can ship your vehicle to your preferred destination.
Flexible scheduling
Preowned Auto Logistics understands that your travel plans may need to adapt due to weather and other issues. PAL offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate your individual plans. You’ll get personalized assistance from our caring team of professionals with the expertise to help you coordinate your seasonal relocation down to the most minor details.
Round-trip bookingsÂ
In today’s economy, many seasonal travelers use the same route to head south for the winter and back home for the summer. PAL offers the convenience of booking round-trip flights and provides special rates and services for repeat customers. Let us ease the planning headaches with this vital part of your seasonal relocation.
Conclusion
Are you ready for your seasonal snowbird move? Using Preowned Auto Logistics for your car transport is a great way to make the process stress-free. Save your valuable time by avoiding long drives, unpredictable weather, and the wear and tear on your vehicle. Arrive at your destination, ready to settle in, with your car safely transported and waiting for you.
Remember, early booking remains the best approach to securing your transport window and aligning with your travel schedule. Choosing PAL also ensures you can book your transport confidently, with a team committed to a premium service experience.
Key takeaways
- Professional car shipping saves time, reduces stress, and prevents unnecessary mileage on your vehicle.
- Early booking helps guarantee your preferred transport dates.
- Preowned Auto Logistics provides reliable, customer-focused service for every seasonal move.
Schedule your seasonal car transport with Preowned Auto Logistics today!
