Seasonal Car Shipping Differences

Seasonal Car Shipping Differences 

Every region’s seasons are different.  

You may love the Midwest in the summer, New England in the fall, fly South for the winter, or spend your springs in the Northwest. Those who can afford multiple homes and those who are digital nomads can change their location from one season to the next can go where they are most comfortable and live in the most beautiful places.

The question is: can your car keep up? When you frequently change locations, it may not be practical to take a road trip every time you want to bop over to your summer house or spend a few months in a vacation home. At the same time, you may want the comfort and freedom of driving your own car and paying only for your own gas compared to leasing a car or hiring ride services the whole time. Whether you are a snowbird, a jet-setter, or a digital nomad, you’ll want to know the differences in shipping your car from season to season. 

Seasonal Car Shipping 

Car shipping, like many transport industries, is strongly affected by the seasons. First, there are different road conditions. Any time a truck must pass by icy, slippery, uneven, or wet roads, they must slow down and take extra caution. Extremely bad weather can cause trucks to stop and wait out . However, this also means that clear season car shipping is in high demand and is often quite booked. 

Trends in human migration also influence when people need their cars and where. Snowbirds tend to have their cars transported in autumn and spring when changing between winter and summer homes. Those relocating for work may need vehicle transportation in autumn or around the turn of the year. Families often move in the summer and use car shipping as an essential logistic resource. 

Shipping a Car in Each Season: What to Know 

Spring Vehicle Shipping 

Spring is one of the best times to transport your vehicles as the weather has warmed up, but summer demand has not yet peaked. However, spring is also when snowbirds fly home and conveniently send for their cars to catch up, and it is a popular month for digital nomads to change locations. Book your springtime car transportation early by a few months, and keep in mind routes that may run into regional spring rainstorms or late melt-offs. 

Summer Vehicle Transport 

Summer is a time for vacation travel. Many individuals and families who go somewhere for the summer or have a summer vacation home will have their car shipped to the summer location and back again. Summer vehicle transport may also include sending for RVs, boats, golf carts, four-wheelers, and other recreational vehicles as the opportunity to use them arises. 

Summer vehicle transport will best suit your schedule if you book a season or two ahead, but those not in a hurry can find transport headed their way. 

Autumn Vehicle Shipping 

Autumn is when snowbirds typically fly south for the winter and may send for their favorite personal car in order to best enjoy their warm weather winter stay. Many professionals relocate in the autumn, and tight schedules often demand that vehicles are shipped instead of driven.

Autumn vehicle shipping is often quite necessary, but this timing is when shippers begin to run into the risks of cold or stormy late-season weather. 

Winter Vehicle Shipping 

Shipping vehicles in the winter often relates to vacation homes, winter sports, and dire emergencies. You can have your all-terrain recreation vehicles shipped or have your favorite about-town car transported to your new winter spot. And if you suddenly find yourself in a winter location without a car to drive, you can have one shipped directly to your driveway in just a few days.

Winter vehicle shipping is the easiest to book but requires the most skill and seasonal knowledge of the road from your drivers. Delivery times may be extended to allow for slow-downs on icy patches and in poor visibility winter weather. 

Is Shipping a Car Worth It? 

Having your vehicle shipped is a valuable service, one that some people use for luxury and convenience, while others are glad to have it when there is a necessity. Snowbirds enjoy the ability to fly to a winter or summer home – or take a cruise – and have their favorite about-town, adventure, or recreational vehicle meet them there.  Professionals who are relocating may not have the leisure of a road trip.Vacationers can travel separately from their recreation vehicles, and those who must travel suddenly for emergencies do not have to rely on ride-sharing to get around for long. 

To book one-time or seasonal car shipping or to understand how the seasons might affect your car shipping service, contact us today. ShipLux is proud to offer enclosed and open vehicle shipping coast to coast and across the globe for your transport or recreation needs.