If you spend winters in Florida and summers in the North, the car question comes up every year. Drive it down, or ship it and fly.

Plenty of people decide that in October, which is later than they mean to. By then the season is underway, the routes are busy, and the dates still open are not necessarily the ones that suit.

Late summer is the point where planning gets easier. Here is how the season works and when to book.

How the Snowbird Season Actually Runs

Southbound demand builds through the fall and peaks between late October and early December. Northbound runs the other way, concentrated between April and May.

Those two windows carry a large share of the year’s seasonal moves, compressed into a few weeks each. That is what makes timing matter on this route more than on most others.

Booking outside the peak, or early within it, gives you a wider choice of dates. Booking inside it at short notice gives you whatever is left.

When to Book

A rough guide for a southbound winter move:

  • Six to eight weeks ahead for departures in the second half of October through early December, which is the busiest stretch
  • Three to four weeks ahead for departures in September or early October, before demand builds
  • As early as you can if your date is fixed by a lease start, a flight, or a closing

Booking early does not mean paying early. With a company that does not require a deposit to hold the date, an early booking mainly secures your place in the schedule.

What Affects Timing and Cost on a Seasonal Move

  • How close you are to the peak. The same route can look different in September and in November
  • Route and distance. Established corridors with regular traffic are simpler to schedule than routes with less volume
  • Pickup and delivery locations. Addresses a full-size carrier can reach easily are quicker to service than narrow streets, gated communities with restrictions, or rural roads
  • Flexibility on the date. A day or two of room is useful during the busy weeks
  • Vehicle size and type. Larger vehicles take more space on the carrier

Getting Ready for Pickup

The preparation is the same as any move, with a few things that matter more on a seasonal one:

  • Wash the car so existing marks are visible and easy to document
  • Take dated photos of the condition before pickup
  • Remove personal items from the interior
  • Keep the fuel tank around a quarter full
  • Check the battery, particularly if the car has been sitting
  • Note anything the driver should know, such as a slow leak or a low-clearance front end
  • Leave a spare key arrangement in place if someone else is handling pickup or delivery

That last point comes up often. Many snowbirds fly ahead of the car or behind it, so pickup or delivery is handled by a neighbor, a family member, or a property manager. Arranging that in advance avoids a scheduling problem later.

Shipping Both Legs

If you make the trip every year, both directions are worth thinking about together. Booking the northbound return at the same time as the southbound trip means the spring date is settled before that season fills, and you are not repeating the arrangement in April.

Choosing Who Ships It

On a seasonal route, look for a company that runs it regularly rather than one taking it occasionally. Regular volume on a corridor means better scheduling, more predictable timing, and drivers who know the delivery conditions at both ends.

American Auto Transporters has been serving 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.

Planning your winter move? Get a free quote from American Auto Transporters. Call 1-800-800-2580 or visit shipcar.com.