Seasonal car shipping
Snowbird Car Shipping to Florida and Arizona
Spending the winter in Florida or Arizona? Shipping your car means it is waiting for you when you arrive, without a long drive south on winter roads. You fly, and an independent carrier brings the car.
BladeHaul is an FMCSA-authorized property broker, MC-85480782. We find a carrier for your route and dates, confirm the details with you in writing, and stay your contact until the car is delivered.
Phone support Monday–Friday, 7 AM–5 PM Central. We reply to quote requests during business hours, as soon as possible.
FMCSA-authorized broker · MC-85480782 · Carrier authority and insurance checked before booking
When should snowbirds book car shipping?
Snowbird traffic comes in two waves. Southbound demand typically rises in the fall and early winter, as people head to Florida and Arizona. Northbound demand rises in spring, when the same cars go home. During those waves, carriers on the busiest corridors fill up faster and prices tend to move up.
Earlier is better in peak season. Send us your date window as soon as you know it, and tell us how flexible you are. A window of several days gives more carriers a chance to fit your car in than a single fixed pickup day.
Popular snowbird routes
Most seasonal requests follow a few familiar paths:
- New York, New Jersey, and New England to Florida. See New York to Florida car shipping.
- Michigan, Ohio, and the rest of the Midwest to Florida. See Michigan to Florida car shipping.
- Illinois, Minnesota, and the upper Midwest to Arizona. See Illinois to Arizona car shipping.
- The return trip north in spring, on any of these routes.
Starting somewhere else? The process is the same. Send your pickup and delivery ZIP codes and we will check your route.
Open or enclosed for a seasonal move?
Open transport suits most everyday cars and usually costs less. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road dust, much like driving it yourself. Enclosed transport adds protection and can make sense for a classic, a convertible you care about, or a car with a delicate finish. Compare open and enclosed car shipping before you choose.
Shipping two cars or a return trip in spring
You can ask about both directions in one request, or about two cars going to the same winter address. We quote each leg on its own, because carriers, dates, and demand are different in fall and spring. When you are ready to come home, tell us your spring dates and we will arrange the trip north the same way.
How to prepare your car
Before the carrier arrives
- Keep the fuel tank around a quarter full.
- Remove valuables, toll transponders, and loose items. Ask before packing anything in the car: carrier permission and coverage for personal items vary.
- Check tires and battery, and tell us about any leaks.
- Wash the car so existing marks are easy to see.
At pickup and delivery
Take dated photos of every side. Walk around the car with the driver, and check the inspection report before you sign it, both when the car is picked up and when it is delivered. Leave a set of keys with the driver, or with the person releasing the car if you have already left.
What it costs and when you pay
Free quote. Your price is an estimate until a carrier accepts your order, and it never goes up without your OK. How pricing works
No payment is collected until the carrier or driver confirms in writing. The agreed spot reservation amount is due to BladeHaul after that confirmation, before pickup. The remaining carrier balance is paid directly to the carrier. Together, these make up your total price, and your written transport agreement sets out the amounts and terms. Read how booking and payment work.
BladeHaul Auto Transport LLC is an FMCSA-authorized property broker, MC-85480782 (USDOT 6803480). We arrange your transport with independent motor carriers; the carrier you approve handles the physical move.
Common questions
How far in advance should I book snowbird car shipping?
Earlier is better in peak season. Share your date window as soon as you have it, and we will tell you what carriers are showing for your route and dates.
What time of year is it cheapest to ship a car?
Prices usually soften outside the busy seasons on a given route. For snowbird corridors, that means avoiding the peak of the fall run south and the spring run north when your plans allow. Flexible pickup dates help in any season.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Florida or Arizona?
It depends on where the car starts, the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, and your dates. Demand on these corridors can raise prices and tighten carrier availability in season, and your quote reflects your dates. Our car shipping cost guide walks through each factor. Your quote is an estimate based on current market prices for similar shipments on your route. It can change until a carrier accepts your order, but never without your OK, and you can cancel at no charge if you don't agree. Once a carrier is confirmed, your price is locked in with that carrier. If that carrier cancels, any new price needs your OK too. No hidden fees.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car?
Add up fuel, hotels, meals, and the days on the road, plus the miles on your car, for both the trip south and the trip home. Then compare that with a quote. Many snowbirds also simply prefer a short flight to a long winter drive.
Can snowbirds keep a car in Florida for the winter?
Registration, insurance, and residency rules depend on your situation, so check with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and your insurer. We arrange the transport; we do not give legal or insurance advice.
Do I pay before a carrier is assigned?
No payment is collected until the carrier or driver confirms in writing; the spot reservation amount is due after that confirmation, before pickup.
Who actually transports my car?
An independent motor carrier with its own FMCSA authority. We check the carrier before assignment and share its details with you before pickup.