The Best Times of Year to Ship Your Vehicle

What are the best seasons for car shipping? The answer depends on your location, schedule, and price range. Generally speaking, though, spring and fall are the cheapest, while summer and winter are the busiest times. However, you can make an argument for each season independently, so read the rest of the article below for our full analysis.

Factors That Impact the Best Time of the Year to Transport a Car

Choosing the right time to ship a car in your specific case will depend on a number of factors. Take a look at them below:

• Your Schedule: The more flexibility you have, the wider the net you and your car shipping brokers can cast to find the best deal possible.
• Pricing Trends & Budget: Seasonal demand heavily affects pricing. Some periods are naturally more budget-friendly, while others, such as snowbird season or Christmas holidays, require dishing loads more money out of pocket to accommodate your needs.
• Weather Conditions: Snow, rain, and extreme heat can all impact the speed and safety of car transport. The more trouble drivers experience on the road, the slower they can fulfill deliveries to make room for you.
• Purpose of Transport: Permanently relocating, moving to another state, and heading south for the winter are three completely different example purposes for car shipping. Each of them comes with unique timing and logistical considerations that will affect your decision.

Breaking Down the Best Seasons for Car Shipping

Considering how varied and unique your needs may be, we really need to evaluate each scenario on a case-by-case basis. This is exactly what we do here at Sakaem Logistics, offering you the best quotes and services possible depending on your needs, not prescriptive approaches and fixed price ranges.

With that being said, let’s take a look at each individual season and see what you should consider before deciding to ship your vehicle at that given time of year:

Spring

Spring is often considered to be one of the best seasons for car shipping. With milder weather and less road congestion compared to summer or winter, shipping in spring offers a good balance of cost and convenience. If your schedule allows it, shipping your car during spring can save you money and reduce potential timing-related complications and delays.

Summer

By contrast, summer is one of the busiest periods for car shipping in the United States. With families relocating, college students heading home, and snowbirds returning north, carriers face higher demand during this season.

However, the situation isn’t this clear-cut. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros of summer shipping:

• Wider Availability: Many carriers ramp up operations to accommodate increased demand.
• Convenience for Relocating: If you need your car shipped because you’re moving states, summer might be the time to do it.

Cons of summer shipping:

• Higher Prices: Peak demand often drives up the cost of shipping a car. This goes for both open and enclosed car shipping, unfortunately.
• Potential Delays: Road congestion and heat-related issues like tire blowouts can occasionally disrupt schedules.

Fall

Much like spring, fall is a much quieter time, making it excellent for those who want to seek affordability. 

Fall stands out as a car shipping season because of its lower prices, which should come down considerably after the summer peak. Weather-wise, there’s not so much to be wary of, which again, makes it easier for the drivers to keep to their schedules. However, on the flip side, this is when the snowbird season often begins. Snowbird car accidents in Florida, for example, increase quite a lot during this time.

Winter

Winter can be a tricky time to ship a car or drive it yourself to that end. While it does come with a few benefits, the often unpredictable weather conditions can pose challenges, reducing demand and thus driving prices down.

Consider the following when shipping your car in winter:

• Lower Prices: Lower demand and less people trying to ship their car at this time means you likely won’t have to pay as much.
• Weather Risks: Snow, ice, and storms can cause delays or hazards on the roads, making carriers take longer to fulfill deliveries.
• Holiday Peak Demand: Demand in winter peaks around the Holiday season, so if you’re planning to ship your car then, be prepared to face limited availability.

The Takeaway

When is the best time to ship a car? Answering that question will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. Spring and summer offer the most competitive prices, making them the best times to ship when affordability is your primary concern.

You may also read: Auto Transport for Relocation – How to Plan Ahead

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