Brantley Kendall 03 Feb 2025 2 months ago How long does snowbird car shipping take? Snowbird car transportation time varies depending on distance, carrier availability, and seasonal demand. While most shipments take 5 to 10 days, delays can happen due to several factors, including weather, traffic, or road accidents. The typical time for snowbird car shipping is a question on many people’s minds when the season comes, but as with anything else in life, doing your homework far ahead of time can yield better results. Read the full guide below to get tips and critical information that will make your next migration much smoother! Table of Contents The Snowbird Car Shipping Process: What to KnowTime for Snowbird Car Shipping: Setting ExpectationsBooking Your Transport (2–4 Weeks Before Departure)Vehicle Pickup (1–5 Days After Booking)Transit Time (2–5 Days)Vehicle Delivery How to Speed Up Your Snowbird Car ShipmentThe Takeaway The Snowbird Car Shipping Process: What to Know Snowbird car shipping is somewhat special, given that it’s typically one of the busiest times of the year across many interstate highways. If you’re not familiar with the term, “snowbirds” refers to individuals who migrate down south to sunny states like Florida or California, as they prefer to spend their winters away from the northern parts of the country. This phenomenon is relatively popular among both Americans and Canadians, particularly retirees. The increased traffic—including both those who choose to ship their car and drive it themselves—often leads to congestion on the roads, oftentimes due to the increased frequency of car accidents. As such, if you’re planning on sitting yourself down behind the wheel, be aware of the increased safety risk. If you’re up for it, you might want to consider partnering up with a car shipping broker like Sakaem Logistics instead. Time for Snowbird Car Shipping: Setting Expectations As established, snowbird season is a pretty busy time. But what’s a realistic timeline for snowbird car transportation? We lay out an example scenario down below: Booking Your Transport (2–4 Weeks Before Departure) Let’s assume you did your homework and decided to book your snowbird transport early—after all, that’s the best way to avoid delays. Two to four weeks before your planned departure is often the sweet spot. This ensures better carrier availability and more competitive pricing. Last-minute bookings may result in higher costs or limited transport options. Vehicle Pickup (1–5 Days After Booking) Once your transport has been scheduled, your carrier typically picks up your vehicle within a window of one to five days. Of course, factors like your location and the time needed to get to the destination may influence how soon pickup occurs. Regardless of everything else, though, be sure to adequately prepare your car for shipping to avoid last-minute trouble at pickup! Transit Time (2–5 Days) The actual time for snowbird car shipping depends on the distance between your origin and destination. As you might expect, longer routes of 1,500+ miles, for example, can take even up to 10 days. Additionally, there are other factors that can also extend those timelines, such as the aforementioned road accidents in snowbird season, poor weather, or mechanical issues. Life is unpredictable, and you’re just going to have to roll with the punches. Vehicle Delivery Once your vehicle reaches the destination, delivery typically occurs within a day or two, mostly dependent on the driver’s arrival time. Some car shipping brokers won’t deliver door-to-door, and you may be asked to take all your required documentation to pick up the car at their terminal. Need the extra convenience? Contact Sakaem Logistics! We offer seamless door-to-door shipping year-round to make your experience as hassle-free as possible. How to Speed Up Your Snowbird Car Shipment If time is a priority, here are a few tried and tested ways to reduce snowbird car transportation time (and also make the process smoother): Book Early: Reserving your transport in advance secures better carrier options. Choose Expedited Shipping: Some companies will bump you up in the queue for an additional fee. Be Flexible with Pickup & Delivery: Carriers may be able to transport your car faster if they can adjust the schedule slightly. The Takeaway Snowbird car shipping generally takes between 2 and 5 days, but, as with anything, planning your relocation ahead of time can make a huge difference. In any case, knowing what to expect during snowbird season will help you avoid any disappointments!You may also read: The Ultimate Snowbird Car Shipping Checklist Brantley Kendall Share this: