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Seasonal Car Shipping
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Seasonal Auto Shipping Reviews
"We used Road Runner for a move to Florida. It was a great experience and extremely fast service! They picked up my car late on Wednesday and I received it in Florida Saturday morning. I was quoted a price and it was exactly that price."
Florida
June 2026
"Paid $900 to get my wife’s brand new car from Naples Florida to Fairplay MD. Didn’t pay for extra coverage, car came in 4 days without a scratch, communication & updates were excellent. Reasonable price, would definitely use this company again"
Florida to Maryland
May 2026
"Your dispatcher, Christian, was polite and professional. The driver, Nikolai, was polite and respectful. My vehicle was picked up Monday evening, the same day I made the reservation, and deliver to Florida the next morning."
Florida
March 2025
"My car was shipped from Arizona to Florida. They kept me updated and they were spot on with time frame. Pricing was good and I would recommend RoadRunner to anybody that needs a car shipped. 5 Stars :-)"
Arizona to Florida
January 2026
What Is Snowbird Car Shipping?
Snowbirds follow the seasons, fleeing to Florida, Texas, or Arizona before the northern winter sets in, and returning home when the warm months arrive. This southbound migration happens in the fall, with the return journey in the spring, year after year. While the furniture stays put and the house is closed for the season, one question remains constant every autumn: what to do with the car?
Snowbirds generally choose one of three options: drive it south, ship it, or keep a second car at their winter residence. RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in snowbird car shipping in both directions, transporting the vehicle south in the fall and back north in the spring, directly from door to door.
A seasonal round trip consists of two shipments, with each leg booked as its date becomes known. Pickup is scheduled within one to three days of booking, regardless of the month, and the calculator provides pricing for both directions in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Snowbird car shipping runs in both directions — south in the fall, north again in the spring, door to door.
- Pickup comes 1–3 days after booking in any month of the year.
- The southbound leg averages $920–$1,280 by open carrier on the twelve busiest snowbird routes, and the northbound leg $870–$1,200.
- Southbound demand peaks in October and northbound in April and May, with February the quietest month in both directions.
- Enclosed transport runs about 1.5 to 1.9 times the open rate on snowbird routes, and about 6% of snowbird shipments choose it.
- Round-trip customers ship the same car back about six months later, booking each leg once its date is known.
- 2 legsa year, southbound in the fall and northbound in the spring
- ~6 monthsaverage gap between the south leg and the return
- 1–3 daysfrom booking to pickup, in all 12 months
- Both wayspriced, southbound and northbound, on every route
Why Snowbirds Should Ship Their Car Instead Of Drive
Snowbirds have three options for transporting their vehicles: drive south, ship the car, or keep a second car in the south. The costs below are based on the New York to Florida route—the most popular snowbird corridor—with sources cited beneath each section.
Ship it
RoadRunner’s average cost for open-carrier transport from New York to Florida is $1,020 southbound, with the return leg averaging $1,080.
A carrier picks up the vehicle at your door within one to three days of booking, and the carrier’s cargo insurance covers the car during transit. The vehicle arrives at its winter destination without added mileage or wear, and the spring return works the same way.
Most snowbirds ship their cars in open carriers; enclosed transport on this route costs approximately 1.6 times the open rate.
Drive it
The IRS mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile through June 2026 and 76 cents from July, while AAA’s all-in figure is 77 cents per mile.
For the roughly 1,250-mile journey from New York to Florida, driving costs $905 to $960 at these rates—nearly matching the open shipping average. Counting only fuel and maintenance, at AAA’s 13 and 11 cents per mile, the out-of-pocket cost is about $300.
The trip takes two to three days, covering roughly 500 miles a day, plus lodging and meals, and adds 1,250 miles of wear to the vehicle.
Keep or store a car south
Many snowbirds keep a second car at their winter residence all year instead of shipping one south each fall and north each spring.
A second vehicle incurs year-round insurance and registration costs for half a year of driving, plus storage and preparation costs for battery and fuel during idle months. Your insurer also requires the garaging address on the policy.
The alternative is shipping one car twice a year. You must weigh the cost of two shipping legs against the ongoing expenses of maintaining a second car.
Most snowbirds who ship choose this option to save time. Two drives a year add up to four to six days of driving, plus lodging and meals, and approximately 2,500 miles of wear—a cost already factored into the IRS rate. On Florida routes, shipping costs roughly the same as driving. Our calculator prices both legs of your route in seconds.
Sources: IRS standard mileage rates for 2026 (72.5 cents per mile from January 1, 76 cents from July 1). AAA, Your Driving Costs 2025 (77 cents per mile at 15,000 miles per year; fuel 13 cents, maintenance and tires 11.04 cents). RoadRunner’s open-carrier averages on the named routes, based on recent shipments.
Snowbird Car Shipping Cost
How Much Does Snowbird Car Shipping Cost?
On the twelve busiest snowbird routes, the southbound leg averages $920 to $1,280 on an open carrier, while the northbound leg ranges from $870 to $1,200. Direction significantly impacts the average: Florida routes are more expensive northbound, with New York to Florida costing $1,020 south and $1,080 north. Conversely, Texas routes are more expensive southbound, with New York to Texas priced at $1,280 south and $1,100 north.
Your final price depends on distance, vehicle type, carrier style (open or enclosed), and the month. Enclosed transport costs approximately 1.5 to 1.9 times the open rate on these routes, accounting for about 6% of snowbird shipments. The mileage table below lists average prices by distance, while the car shipping calculator provides pricing for your exact route in both directions. The season affects the price, not the pickup window, which remains 1–3 days throughout the year.
Average Seasonal Car Shipping Price Estimations Based On Mileage
Snowbird Routes, Priced in Both Directions
The twelve routes listed below represent the busiest snowbird pairs on recent RoadRunner shipments, ranked by three years of round-trip volume. Each entry displays the open averages for both legs, the mileage, and the transit time—calculated at approximately 500 miles per day following pickup. The New York to Florida corridor is the largest pair, accounting for 11.9% of RoadRunner’s snowbird shipments.
| Route | Distance | Southbound | Northbound | Enclosed | Days on the road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York and Florida | 1,250 mi | $1,020going south | $1,080coming north | $1,800 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| New Jersey and Florida | 1,180 mi | $940going south | $960coming north | $1,530 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Massachusetts and Florida | 1,390 mi | $1,000going south | $1,030coming north | $1,640 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Illinois and Florida | 1,260 mi | $940going south | $1,010coming north | $1,600 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| New York and Texas | 1,670 mi | $1,280going south | $1,100coming north | $2,090 | 4–6 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Michigan and Florida | 1,280 mi | $1,030going south | $1,070coming north | $1,620 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Pennsylvania and Florida | 1,110 mi | $980going south | $980coming north | $1,600 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Connecticut and Florida | 1,270 mi | $1,000going south | $1,020coming north | $1,650 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Ohio and Florida | 1,080 mi | $1,020going south | $1,000coming north | $1,670 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Illinois and Texas | 1,040 mi | $920going south | $870coming north | $1,370 | 3–5 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| Illinois and Arizona | 1,730 mi | $1,090going south | $1,200coming north | $1,880 | 4–6 after a 1–3 day pickup |
| New Jersey and Texas | 1,630 mi | $1,210going south | $980coming north | $1,790 | 4–6 after a 1–3 day pickup |
- 30.1% Florida
- 13.9% California
- 8.6% Texas
- 6.4% Arizona
The Two Waves of Snowbird Car Shipping
Snowbird car shipping follows two distinct annual cycles. Southbound demand peaks in October, followed by a secondary surge in January after the holidays, while northbound traffic peaks in April and May. February remains the quietest month for both directions. The calendar below details these waves month by month, with pickup timing listed beneath each.
| Month | Southbound index | Northbound index | Days to pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83 | 46 | 2.1 |
| Feb | 45 | 41 | 1.6 |
| Mar | 44 | 61 | 1.9 |
| Apr | 46 | 89 | 2 |
| May | 63 | 100 | 2.4 |
| Jun | 59 | 61 | 1.6 |
| Jul | 63 | 39 | 1.7 |
| Aug | 92 | 45 | 1.9 |
| Sep | 71 | 35 | 1.6 |
| Oct | 100 | 43 | 1.6 |
| Nov | 83 | 41 | 1.5 |
| Dec | 80 | 41 | 1.5 |
These seasonal shifts impact pricing on the busiest routes, but pickup speed remains consistent year-round. From the day your car is ready, pickup averages between 1.5 and 2.4 days in every month. October, the peak southbound month, averages 1.6 days, and no month exceeds 2.4 days.
A vehicle booked during the October rush is picked up on the same timeline as one booked in February. You schedule each leg once its date is confirmed: the season determines your cost on busy routes, while the pickup window holds steady at 1–3 days from booking throughout the year.
Pickup is available within one to three days of booking, year-round and in both directions, whether during the October rush or the quiet of February.
Shipping the Same Car Twice a Year
Round-trip customers typically ship the same car back about 6 months later.
Book it once your fall date is set.
The same door-to-door shipment, reversed—returning for the warmer months.
Across recent RoadRunner round trips, the interval between the south leg and the return averages just under 180 days, a figure that has remained steady year after year. The south leg generally occurs around October, with the return around April. Bookings are not made for the entire year at once; instead, you reserve the south leg when your fall date is known, and the return leg months later, once your spring date is set. There is no deposit required for either leg, and you may cancel at any time before pickup. The return leg constitutes the same door-to-door shipment, simply in reverse.
The busiest round-trip pairs NY–FL · MA–FL · NJ–FL · IL–FL · CT–FL
RoadRunner round-trip shipments, recent: the same car booked in both directions, with the gap between legs averaged across complete years. Monthly temperatures: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for the top origin metros, rounded.
Winter Car Shipping
Cars ship throughout the winter, with January serving as a busy southbound month during the post-holiday second wave. Winter rates fluctuate on popular snowbird routes. However, the pickup window remains stable: pickups averaged 1.5 days in December and 2.1 in January, staying within the standard 1.5 to 2.4 day range seen year-round.
Snow at either end of the journey can shift a schedule by a day, but the driver will call to notify you of any changes.
Winter Preparation
Winter preparation follows the standard protocol. Wash the car to allow the driver to inspect for exterior damage, keep the gas tank at a quarter full or less, disable the alarm, and remove toll transponders. Check the antifreeze and battery levels against the owner’s manual for the destination’s climate. Any items you pack must stay under 100 lb and below the window line, just as on any other leg.
Vehicle Shipping Coverage Map
Select your pickup state below for more information and carrier availability.
Click two states to set the route, or use the lists. The seasonal corridors run from the Northeast and the Midwest to Florida, Texas, and Arizona, and back.
Over 30 Years of Top Rated Seasonal Vehicle Shipping
For over 30 years, RoadRunner Auto Transport has facilitated seasonal car shipping for snowbirds, transporting vehicles south each fall and north each spring. With door-to-door service and instant on-screen pricing, three moves account for most of this seasonal traffic.
RoadRunner's Process For Snowbird Car Transport
A seasonal shipment is effectively the same journey, repeated months apart. The following steps outline the fall leg; the spring return mirrors these steps on the reverse route as a separate booking.
- 1
Book the South Leg
Enter your pickup and delivery addresses, along with the car’s year, make, and model. A quote appears on screen within seconds. Book when you know the date the car will be ready. There is no deposit, and you may cancel at any time before pickup.
- 2
Pickup
RoadRunner schedules pickup within one to three days of booking, in any month. The driver calls ahead to confirm the meeting time. If your street cannot accommodate a full-size carrier, you will meet at a nearby parking lot or wide street.
- 3
Inspection
You and the driver walk around the car together, recording its condition on the Bill of Lading with photos taken in daylight. Keep the gas tank at a quarter full or less, and ensure any items you pack weigh under 100 lb and remain below the window line.
- 4
Transit
The carrier covers approximately 500 miles a day. Plan on three to five days on the road to Florida, and four to six days to Texas or Arizona. You can check your status with your shipment support agent at (888) 777-2123 along the way.
- 5
Delivery
The driver meets you at your winter home, or at a contact you designate, such as a gatehouse, neighbor, or building front desk. Review the car against the Bill of Lading and note any new damage before signing off on the delivery.
- 6
Book the Return
Months later, once your spring date is set, book the north leg as its own shipment on the reverse route. The same steps apply in the opposite direction, at the northbound price for your specific route.
The themes in verified reviews
Four themes recur frequently in verified reviews of RoadRunner shipments, ranked by frequency and presented in the customers’ own words.
“Great service, driver professional and punctual and auto arrived at destination at date and time scheduled.”
“The driver kept in communication with me from a few hours of picking up the vehicle and when he dropped it off.”
“the large carrier arrived right on time and the driver ("Terry") was a pleasure to meet and he gave me more details on how the transportation operates.”
“I had my 2025 BMW M340i shipped from Tennessee to Arizona in enclosed trailer and RoadRunner did a fantastic job and my vehicle arrived with no damages.”
Coast to coast transport. Second time using RoadRunner...very easy, good price, and no issues. This time Big Dreams Auto Hauler Corp. transported my new 2026 G86 from Cally to Florida...delivered a day early and not a scratch on it! Driver was professional, nice, and communicated via text and call the whole way. 5-Stars again.
- No deposit on either leg; cancel any time before pickup
- Pickup 1–3 days after booking, every month
- Southbound and northbound priced on every route
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle transportation process.
Snowbirds transport their vehicles south by driving, shipping, or leaving a car in the south. Shipping offers door-to-door service with no added miles or wear. Driving takes two to three days each way, and a car kept south incurs year-round insurance and registration costs.
On the twelve busiest snowbird routes, the southbound leg averages $920 to $1,280 on an open carrier, while the northbound leg ranges from $870 to $1,200. Florida routes are more expensive northbound, and Texas routes cost more southbound. Enclosed transport runs approximately 1.5 to 1.9 times the open rate. The car shipping calculator prices your exact route in both directions.
Book each leg when you know the date the car is ready. Pickup occurs within one to three days in every month, so you do not need to book months in advance. Southbound demand peaks in October, with a second wave in January, while northbound demand peaks in April and May. A peak month changes the price, but the pickup window remains the same.
The quietest months cost the least on busy snowbird routes, with February being the quietest in both directions. Southbound prices are highest in October and January, the two southbound waves. While the month affects pricing on a busy route, the pickup window stays within the same one-to-three-day range year-round.
Driving and shipping cost about the same on Florida routes when every mile is counted. Driving the roughly 1,250 miles from New York to Florida costs about $905 to $960 at IRS and AAA per-mile rates, compared to RoadRunner’s $1,020 open average on the same route. Shipping saves two to three days on the road each way and keeps those miles off the car.
Yes, many snowbirds keep a second car at their winter address. That vehicle carries insurance and registration all year for only half a year of driving, requires storage and battery and fuel preparation for the idle months, and needs its garaging address updated with the insurer. The alternative is shipping one car twice a year at the two legs’ prices shown above.
Usually not on the busiest snowbird routes. Published driveaway rates start at about $1.04 a mile plus the driver’s travel costs, totaling about $1,300 from New York to Florida, which is more than the route’s open shipping average. A driveaway driver also adds about 1,250 miles of wear to your car, whereas a shipped car arrives with no new miles on the odometer. The driveaway advantages are a packed car and a pet riding along.
RoadRunner ships within the United States only and does not cross the border. Canadian snowbirds book the U.S. side of the trip: from an address near the border south to Florida, Texas, or Arizona, and back north in the spring. Both U.S. legs are priced on the calculator like any other route.
Ready to Ship for the Season?
Your price for either leg appears on screen in seconds. Call (888) 777-2123 to book with a shipping coordinator.
