Service
Snowbird car shipping
Snowbird car shipping moves vehicles south in the fall and north in the spring. Our model adds 15% in the peak direction (south October through December, north March through May) and takes 7% off against it. New York to Florida on an open carrier estimates at $1,095–$1,360 for October 2026 and $1,115–$1,390 northbound for April 2027; booking early widens the choice of trucks. Source: HaulFare price model, October 2026 edition.
Updated October 2026
The snowbird calendar
Our model treats October through December as the southbound peak and March through May as the northbound peak: the core fall and spring migration months plus shoulder weeks on either side. Trucks that carried cars south need loads back north, so in our model a Florida to New York move in November estimates about 22% below the same move in April.
Round-trip planning
A New York to Florida round trip for the 2026-27 season, south in October 2026 and north in April 2027, estimates at $2,210–$2,750 for a sedan on open carriers. You can request both legs at once; each leg is dispatched and priced separately. The snowbird route planner prices both legs by month for your states, and the snowbird car shipping report compares the main corridors.
Many snowbirds fly and ship; the shipping vs driving calculator compares that with driving, fuel, hotels and meals included.
For the dates to book each leg, see when to book snowbird car shipping. Shipping a car to Florida for the winter covers plates, the 90-day insurance rule and delivery into gated communities, and Auto Train vs car shipping compares the overnight train from Virginia.
Each snowbird corridor has its own price page with the month-by-month pattern in both directions: New York to Florida and Florida to New York, New Jersey to Florida, Michigan to Florida, Illinois to Florida, and the Arizona run from Chicago to Phoenix.
Snowbird car shipping prices by distance
+15% with the seasonal flow; −7% against it. Sedan baseline unless noted; October 2026. For your exact ZIP codes use the car shipping calculator; for every distance, vehicle and month see how much it costs to ship a car.
| Miles | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $620–$775 | $880–$1,100 |
| 1,000 | $895–$1,115 | $1,270–$1,580 |
| 1,500 | $1,095–$1,360 | $1,555–$1,940 |
| 2,500 | $1,370–$1,700 | $1,945–$2,420 |
HaulFare price model 2026.09-seed, October 2026. Ranges, not quotes.
- Instant estimate, no email gate
- The licensed broker confirms the actual price before anything is booked
- Free to use: you pay HaulFare nothing
From estimate to delivery
What happens after you ask for a quote, whichever service you choose.
Get your estimate
Enter ZIPs and vehicle details. You see a typical price range instantly, before you share contact information.
Request a quote
If you want a quote, your request goes to our licensed transport partner, an FMCSA-licensed auto transport broker. We send it to that one broker only, never to a list of companies.
Price, dates and carrier
Our licensed transport partner contacts you to confirm the actual price, pickup dates and vehicle details, then books the shipment and assigns an FMCSA-registered carrier. Ask about deposits and payment terms before you book.
Pickup and delivery
The assigned carrier usually calls 12–24 hours ahead. You both sign a Bill of Lading with a condition report at pickup, then check the car against it at delivery. Most shipments arrive in 2–10 days.
Related services
All services
Sources
- University of Florida, Snowbirds and “sunbirds” cause big shifts in Florida’s older population (winter arrivals, summer departures), archive.news.ufl.edu
- University of Florida, New York leads in snowbirds moving temporarily to Florida (home states of seasonal residents), archive.news.ufl.edu
- 23 CFR 658.13, length limits for automobile transporters (Legal Information Institute), law.cornell.edu
Snowbird car shipping FAQ
When should I book a snowbird shipment?
Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for a pickup in the peak direction (south October through December, north March through May), 3 to 4 weeks in the June through August national peak, and 2 to 3 weeks otherwise. Booking early widens the choice of trucks already running the lane; it does not fix the price.
Can the car be delivered to a condo or gated community?
Usually to a nearby lot; a 75-foot hauler rarely fits a gated entrance. Enclosed and smaller trucks reach more addresses.
Can I book both legs together?
Yes. You can request both legs in one quote request. Each leg is priced separately, and the broker confirms each leg’s actual price once a carrier accepts it.
Should I ship before or after I fly?
Door to door, New York to Florida takes about 4–10 days in our transit model, including the pickup window, so schedule pickup about that far ahead of your arrival and have a neighbor or property manager ready to receive the car.
