Every fall, a steady stream of Massachusetts residents head south for the winter. Boston, the South Shore, Cape Cod: the starting points change, but the destination is usually the same. Florida, for the months when New England is at its coldest.

For many of them, the car is the part that takes the most planning. Here is what to know about this route before you book.

The Route at a Glance

Depending on where in Florida you are going, the trip is somewhere between about 1,150 and 1,500 miles by road, most of it along the I-95 corridor.

Driving it yourself means roughly 20 to 24 hours behind the wheel each way, usually spread over two or three days, with hotels, meals, fuel and the wear on the car added on top. Shipping it means the car makes the trip while you fly, and it is waiting for you when you arrive.

It is also a well-traveled seasonal route. That matters, because a route with regular traffic is simpler to schedule than one a carrier only runs now and then.

When to Book

Southbound demand builds through the fall and peaks between late October and early December. The return trip north is concentrated between April and May.

If you are heading south in that peak stretch, book as early as you can. Booking early mainly secures your place in the schedule and gives you a wider choice of dates. If your dates are fixed by a flight, a lease or a closing, it is worth settling the shipping first.

Pickup in Massachusetts

Door-to-door service means the car is collected from your address, but a few things affect how simple that is:

  • Street access. A full-size carrier needs room to stop and load. Narrow streets, tight cul-de-sacs or low-hanging trees can mean meeting the driver at a nearby open spot instead
  • Seasonal homes. On Cape Cod and in other seasonal areas, roads and driveways that are fine in summer can be harder to reach later in the year
  • Who hands the car over. If you are flying out before pickup day, arrange for a neighbor, family member or property manager to meet the driver

Mentioning any of these when you book helps the pickup go smoothly.

Delivery in Florida

Many winter homes in Florida are in gated communities, condominiums or developments with their own rules. Before delivery day, it is worth checking:

  • Whether the community allows large trucks inside, or has a set place for deliveries
  • Whether the gate needs the driver’s name or a pass in advance
  • Who will receive the car if you have not arrived yet

A few minutes on this ahead of time saves a lot of phone calls on the day.

Getting the Car Ready

  • Wash the car so its condition is easy to see and document
  • Take dated photos of all sides before pickup
  • Remove personal items from the interior
  • Keep the fuel tank around a quarter full
  • Check the battery and tire pressure, especially if the car has been sitting
  • Tell the driver about anything unusual, such as a low front end or a slow leak

Thinking About the Trip Back

If you go south every year, booking the northbound return at the same time as the southbound trip settles the spring date before that season fills up. It also means one less thing to arrange from Florida in April.

Shipping with American Auto Transporters

American Auto Transporters has been shipping vehicles for snowbirds since 1980. We run daily trips to Florida, offer guaranteed prices and guaranteed pickup, hold a BBB A+ rating, and provide door-to-door service. 80% of our customers come back to us, and on this route many of
them come back every season.

Heading south this winter? Get a free quote from American Auto Transporters. Call 1-800-800-2580 or visit shipcar.com.