Every year, as winter approaches, thousands of retirees, affectionately termed ‘snowbirds’, move south to escape the cold and enjoy the warmer climates. This seasonal migration has become a well-known tradition. The question arises, however, “What about my car? Am I supposed to drive it all the way there?”.
Most retirees answer this question via snowbird car shipping — a delightful and efficient solution offered by auto shipping companies. Whether you are traveling for comfort, health, or lifestyle needs, snowbird auto transport reduces hassle during seasonal relocation.
In this guide, we’ll describe the reasons more and more retirees are opting for seasonal car shipping, and the ‘hows’ that will enable a convenient pickup-to-delivery experience.
Why Retirees Prefer Auto Transport for Seasonal Moves
Long-Distance Driving Stress
Retired individuals driving long distances tend to pose a dual threat, working both as a considerable risk alongside being incredibly exhausting. Long drives cancel out the enjoyable aspects of traveling. Traffic or poor conditions, spending long hours driving, navigating new roads, and uncontrollable weather all contribute to a less-than-pleasant travel experience.
Auto transport offers to drive for those snowbirds who want to avoid the strain and risks of driving thousands of miles. Instead of taking days on end to reach a location, you can comfortably fly to your destination while a professional car shipping company takes care of everything else.
Preserving Vehicle Condition and Mileage
Personal vehicles are often used by snowbirds to navigate around their respective locations. However, repeatedly driving interstate four times a year is able to put significant strain on the car’s engine, tires, and overall value.
Shipping a vehicle helps you:
Reduce the overall mileage of the vehicle, which is important for resale value. Minimize winter road salt exposure to vehicles during harsh conditions. Prevent exposure to road salt and harsh winter conditions
This is particularly crucial if one possesses a classic, luxury, or leased vehicle where condition and mileage matter the most.
Enhanced Efficiency of Time and Energy
Retirement is designed to live life to the fullest, not spend days behind the wheel. For those snowbirds who head south for a few months and come back, flying down to their seasonal homes helps retain time.
Snowbird car shipping makes it unnecessary to map out history, book hotels, and worry about road delays, enabling a greater enjoyment of their winter retreat.
Pickup and Delivery Options That Are Tailored to Your Preferences
By far the most convenient car shipping services for snowbirds include:
- Door-to-Door: Pick up and drop off at your driveway, resort, or condo.
- Terminal-to-Terminal: Budget-friendly option for snowbirds willing to drop off or pick up from a local hub.
- Seasonal Routes: Many carriers provide snowbird-specific routes during peak seasons for quicker and more reliable service.
Some companies offer discounted round-trip rates if booked both ways in advance, which streamlines travel plans for the entire year.
Car shipping for snowbirds begins with simple steps, including:
Multiple Quotes
Contact licensed car shipping companies to understand their pricing, services, and availability.
- Compare to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Booking In Advance
The snowbird season (October–December and March–May) is busy for most and therefore requires prompt bookings to get preferred dates.
- Booking ahead always works out for securing the best rates.
Check List for Moving
Prepare the vehicle by following a step-by-step moving checklist (see below).
- Pickup of Vehicle
- Drivers inspect the vehicle, then record and document its condition before transporting it.
- Transportation and Delivery
- Your Vehicle is shipped directly to your specified location. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before accepting the delivery.
Snowbird Vehicle Shipping Moving Checklist
Adhere to the following moving checklist to ensure proper vehicle shipping:
- Wash your vehicle before shipping to document its pre-existing condition.
- Take countless detailed photographs from every angle, including close-up shots of all pre-existing damage.
- Remove all loose valuables and personal belongings to curb theft.
- Turn off any alarms as well as toll tags.
- Ensure that a quarter tank of fuel is present (more than that is unnecessary).
- Check the vehicle’s fluid levels, battery, and tire pressure.
- Disable or secure any loose parts, including spoilers, antennas, or roof racks.
- By completing the given checklist, one can curb most transport issues and, in the rare case that damage does occur, support a smooth insurance claim.
Snowbird Routes
Shipping expenses differ based on the distance from the source, vehicle size, transport service type, season, and more. Here are the estimated routes and pricing for snowbirds:
- From NY to Florida: 900–1,300 (open transport), $1,400+ (enclosed)
- Chicago to Arizona: 1,000–1,500
- Boston to Tampa: 1,000–1,400
While snowbird routes have fixed pricing, they can be saved using:
- Booking a round trip
- Selecting open transport (enclosed car transport vehicles provide more security but at a higher price)
- Flexibility with pickup/delivery dates
Work with reputable car shipping companies that specialize in snowbird routes to get the best deal and service.
Why Seasonal Shipping is Best For Couples and Pet Owners
For the elderly, flying instead of driving offers:
- Increased comfort for couples as no driver switchovers or rest stops are needed.
- Less stress for pets, both during travel and at the destination.
- Finding your car waiting for you, ready to go without the exhaustion of road travel.
- Tips For Avoiding Worry with Travel Planning
- Book with a licensed and insured carrier (Check DOT and MC numbers)
- Look at reviews and ratings from the BBB.
- Enquire about update tracking and communication with the driver.
- Avoid booking last minute, aim for 2-4 weeks in advance.
- For travel insurance, document everything.
Wrapping Up
For snowbirds, car shipping services offer value and streamline seasonal relocation between residences – it is a better method than driving through treacherous snowy regions. Using seasoned vehicle transport companies, retirees can easily relocate their car, protect their vehicles, and ensure a smooth transition for winter travel.
Using a detailed checklist for moving, early booking, and selecting the right transport provider saves hassle and allows focus on the important part: relaxation, exploration, and soaking in the sunshine.
