Heading south for the winter? If you’re a snowbird, one of the things you’ll need to figure out is how to get your car to your winter home. Do you make the long drive yourself, or fly south and have your vehicle shipped?
The short answer: It depends! Driving your car south for the winter is usually cheaper than shipping it, even when you factor in gas, hotels, meals, and other travel expenses. But cost isn’t the only thing to consider. The biggest advantage of shipping your car is convenience.
Instead of spending potentially several days on the road dealing with traffic, unpredictable weather, and long hours behind the wheel, you can fly to your winter home in just a few hours and have your vehicle shipped to you by taking advantage of our snowbird shipping services.
Quick Summary: Driving South vs. Professional Car Shipping
| Feature | Driving Yourself | Professional Auto Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Time | Typically 2–4 days of driving, depending on the route | Fly to your winter home in a few hours while your vehicle is shipped separately |
| Total Cost | Gas, hotels, meals, tolls, and vehicle wear and tear | Car shipping rate, airfare, and transportation to and from airports |
| Vehicle Wear & Tear | Hundreds or thousands of added driving miles, depending on the route | No long-distance driving miles added to your vehicle |
| Personal Safety & Stress | Traffic, winter weather, road construction, and driver fatigue | Skip the long drive, traffic, winter weather, and hours behind the wheel |
| Luggage Allowance | Whatever safely fits in your vehicle | 1 suitcase, duffle, tote, or box up to 100 lbs |
Is it cheaper to ship your car or drive it south for the winter?
Driving is usually cheaper than shipping, even when you factor in gas, hotels, meals, and other travel expenses. However, there are several costs associated with a long-distance drive that are worth considering when comparing your options.
- Fuel expenses: The farther you’re driving, the more you’ll spend on gas, and prices can vary quite a bit from state to state.
- Overnight lodging: Depending on the route and how many hours you’re comfortable driving each day, you may need one or more hotel stays.
- Dining and food: A multi-day road trip usually means paying for meals and snacks along the way.
- Turnpikes and tolls: If you’re driving from the Northeast to Florida, you may encounter tolls along I-95 and other highways, including Florida’s Turnpike. These can add to the overall cost of your trip.
- Vehicle mileage and wear and tear: Driving hundreds or thousands of miles adds wear and tear to your tires, brakes, engine, and other vehicle components. It also adds mileage that can affect your vehicle’s resale value.
The bottom line? Driving will usually save you money, but shipping saves you time and eliminates the hassle of a long road trip. If you enjoy driving and have the time to make the trip, driving might be your best option. But if you’d rather skip several days on the highway dealing with traffic, weather, and fatigue, shipping your car may be worth the extra expense.
What are the pros and cons of shipping vs. driving for snowbirds?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. The best choice depends on your route, budget, schedule, and how you feel about making a long-distance drive.
Driving Yourself: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Usually the least expensive option, even after factoring in travel expenses. | Multiple days behind the wheel, dealing with traffic and driver fatigue. |
| Complete control over your departure time, route, and stops. | Fall and winter weather can create delays and difficult driving conditions. |
| Bring more personal belongings with you. | Adds mileage and wear and tear, with the possibility of a breakdown. |
| Turn the trip into a vacation, visiting friends, family, or attractions along the way. |
Professional Auto Transport: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fly to your winter home instead of spending days driving. | Shipping and airfare will usually cost more than driving. |
| Avoid adding long-distance mileage and wear and tear to your vehicle. | Pickup and delivery dates are estimated, requiring some flexibility. |
| Avoid the stress of traffic, winter weather, road construction, and driver fatigue. | Limits on personal belongings inside the vehicle during transport. |
How long does door-to-door car shipping take for snowbirds?
When you’re planning your trip south for the winter, you’ll want to know when your vehicle will be picked up and when it will arrive at your winter home. There are two parts to the shipping timeline: scheduling the pickup and transporting the vehicle to its destination.
- Pickup window: We typically forecast a pickup window of 2 to 9 days from the first date your vehicle is available for pickup. The actual timeframe depends on the route, location, season, and carrier availability.
- Transit time: Auto transport carriers typically travel about 500 miles per day. For example, if your shipping route is 1,500 miles, you can expect approximately 3 to 4 days for delivery once your vehicle has been picked up. The additional day allows for possible delays due to weather, traffic, or other unexpected circumstances.
When you get an instant quote online, we’ll provide estimated pickup and delivery dates based on your shipping route. That way, you’ll have an idea of the shipping timeline before you book your transport.
Keep in mind that your vehicle may be picked up after you’ve already flown to your winter home, or it may be delivered before or after you arrive. That’s why it’s important to have some flexibility with your travel plans. We recommend having a friend, family member, or another trusted adult available to meet the driver at pickup or delivery if you can’t be there yourself.
Carrier vs. broker: what is the difference for seasonal vehicle shipping?
When you’re shipping your car south for the winter, you may be working directly with an auto transport carrier or with a broker who arranges the shipment. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right company.
An auto transport carrier owns the trucks and trailers used to physically transport vehicles. An auto transport broker doesn’t transport vehicles directly. Instead, brokers work with a network of carriers to arrange shipments on behalf of their customers.
The J&S Transportation advantage: Unlike companies that operate exclusively as auto transport brokers, J&S Transportation is both a licensed carrier with our own fleet of trucks and a licensed broker. Our firsthand experience operating our own trucks gives us a unique understanding of the auto transport industry. Snowbird shipping is a significant part of our business, and we’ve built strong relationships with trusted carriers serving most major snowbird routes. When we need to work with a new carrier, we carefully vet them to verify their licensing, insurance, and reliability.
Can you pack luggage or personal items in a car when shipping it?
If you’re heading south for several months, you probably have some personal belongings you’d like to bring along. While you can pack a limited amount of luggage in your vehicle when shipping it, auto transport carriers have restrictions on personal belongings because of weight limits and safety concerns.
The J&S personal belongings policy: We allow one suitcase, duffle bag, tote, or box weighing up to 100 pounds. It must be securely placed in the trunk or rear cargo area below window level. The front seats and floorboards must remain clear so the driver can safely load and unload your vehicle.
Important: Personal belongings inside your vehicle aren’t covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. We recommend keeping valuables, medications, important documents, and other irreplaceable items with you rather than packing them in your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should snowbirds book car shipping?
It may seem counterintuitive, but even though demand for car shipping increases significantly during snowbird season, so does carrier availability. Popular snowbird routes attract a steady flow of carriers heading south in the fall and returning north in the spring.
As a result, our typical pickup window of 2 to 9 days still applies to most snowbird shipments, even during the busy season. That means you generally don’t need to book several weeks in advance. However, we recommend allowing some flexibility with your pickup date, as carrier availability can vary from week to week.
Is my vehicle insured while being transported?
Yes. Every carrier we work with must have active cargo insurance that’s adequate to cover the value of your vehicle. If damage occurs during transport, our dedicated Damage Claims Manager works with you and the carrier to help resolve the claim.
What is the difference between open and enclosed transport for snowbirds?
Open transport is the most common and affordable way to ship a vehicle. Cars are transported on open trailers that typically carry several vehicles at once. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during transport, but this is the same method used to deliver most new vehicles to dealerships. For everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs, open transport is usually all you need.
Enclosed transport provides additional protection by shipping your vehicle inside a fully enclosed trailer, protecting it from weather and road debris. It’s primarily used for classic, collectible, luxury, and other high-value vehicles. Enclosed shipping typically costs 80% to 90% more than open transport, and because there are far fewer enclosed carriers available, scheduling often takes longer.
Our recommendation: Unless you’re shipping a classic, collectible, or particularly valuable vehicle, open transport is usually the best choice for snowbirds. It’s less expensive, more readily available, and provides reliable transportation for everyday vehicles.
Can someone else meet the driver if I’m not available for pickup or delivery?
Yes! You don’t have to be present for pickup or delivery. A friend, family member, or another trusted adult (18 or older) can meet the driver, inspect the vehicle, and sign the paperwork on your behalf.
How do I get a quote for snowbird car shipping?
Getting a quote is easy! Enter your pickup and delivery ZIP codes and vehicle information into our instant quote calculator. You’ll receive an all-inclusive shipping quote along with estimated pickup and delivery dates. You can also call us at (800) 656-7638.