Free tool
Car shipping price by month calculator
The cheapest time to ship a car is usually January–February (4–5% below the baseline month in the HaulFare price model) and the most expensive is June–July (9–10% above), about $250 apart on a coast-to-coast move. Snowbird lanes flip the pattern by direction in October–December and March–May. Enter your route to see all twelve months priced for your lane.
Updated October 2026
National seasonal index
Jan
−4%
Feb
−5%
Mar
−1%
Apr
+2%
May
+5%
Jun
+9%
Jul
+10%
Aug
+7%
Sep
+2%
Oct
0%
Nov
−2%
Dec
−1%
Versus the annual average, applied to every HaulFare estimate. Snowbird lanes add +15% with the flow and −7% against it.
Where the index comes from
The seed index reflects industry reporting on monthly shipment share (June peak, February trough). Published summer-versus-winter spreads run 20–30%; the model is more conservative, with summer about 12% above winter. Sources report 15–25% snowbird premiums on Northeast/Midwest to Florida and Arizona lanes in October–November and March–April; the model applies 15% with the flow, one month wider on each side. HaulFare reviews the index each month against booked prices once enough are available, and logs every change in the Cost Index.
Car shipping price by month calculator FAQ
What is the cheapest month to ship a car?
February on most lanes, with January close behind: 4–5% below the baseline month in the HaulFare price model. The most expensive months are June and July at 9–10% above it, when relocations, students and dealer inventory all peak.
Does the cheapest month change by route?
Yes on snowbird lanes. Shipping from the Northeast or Midwest to Florida, Arizona or Texas is most expensive in October–November and cheapest when going against the flow; the reverse applies in March–May. This tool applies both the national index and the lane-direction adjustment.
How far ahead should I book?
Two weeks in the off-season, three to four in summer, four to six weeks for snowbird pickups in October–November and March–April. Booking early does not lock a lower price with most brokers, but it does give the broker time to find a truck already on your lane, which is what keeps the price at the low end of the range.
Is the price difference big enough to wait?
On a 2,885-mile coast-to-coast move the model's midpoint is about $250 higher in July than in February. If your dates are flexible, moving a summer pickup to September, or a southbound snowbird pickup from November into January, is usually worth it.
Do holidays affect car shipping?
The weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year have fewer trucks running, so pickup windows stretch even though the monthly index is low. Avoid a pickup in the three days before a major holiday.
