Name: Snowbird Car Shipping Across Country: Hassle-Free Snowbird Transport for Cars | Legendary Auto Transport
Brand: Legendary Auto Transport
Rating: 4.7 (10000 reviews)

What is snowbird car shipping?

When it’s time to travel south for the winter, people do like to have their vehicles with them, but getting the cars down there isn’t always that easy (as well as getting them back up north again in the spring. When people need to devise a way to get their cars to their winter destinations, that’s where snowbird car shipping comes in.

How much does snowbird car shipping cost?

This is a question that really needs to be answered on a case-by-case basis. There are too many variables involved, such as the year/make/model of vehicle, the pickup point and destination, the time of year, desired method of transport and more, making this a difficult question to give an easy answer for. To get a better idea of what you can expect to spend on snowbird car shipping, just use the Quote Calculator feature on our website.

Is snowbird car shipping better than driving?

It’s absolutely better than driving. Anytime you get behind the wheel of a car, even if it’s just down to the corner store and back, there’s going to be an element of risk involved. Snowbird car shipping takes that risk out of the equation and also means no wear and tear on the car and no miles piling up on the odometer.

1

Get a quote and book your order

The Quote Calculator has a few questions about your car’s year/make/model, its running condition, your pickup point, your destination, the desired method of transport and your desired timeframe. Enter those few details into the calculator; if you have any questions or need more info, don’t be afraid to come to us via live chat or call us for a bit more clarity. Once you’re satisfied with the quote amount, just confirm and your order will be booked. Our team will then start searching for the right driver in our network, one who will be available to handle your snowbird car shipping needs.

2

We pick up your vehicle

About two hours before pickup, you’ll receive a heads-up call from the transport driver. That’s partly to let you know he’ll be there, and partly to verify that your location will be accessible for his truck. It’s difficult to get an 80 ft transport truck to a street with low-hanging branches and lots of congestion , and could even be against city ordinance. If so, you should consider an easier spot to meet up, such as a parking lot. You and the driver will both do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle for scrapes and dings before it’s loaded up and secured for transit; this will all be documented on the Bill of Lading. The driver will give you his cell number and you can check in while the car is en route, or choose updates via text or email.

3

You receive your vehicle

At the predetermined time and date, the driver will be at your destination to drop off your car, and you can receive it at this time. You will both do a post-trip inspection, and you’ll be asked to sign the Bill of Lading. Also, if you chose discount shipping with balance due on delivery, you can settle up the outstanding amount with the driver at this time; cash, cashier’s check or money order are accepted. Also note that before pickup and delivery, you’ll get a call from the driver a couple of hours in advance to give you a heads-up that he’s on the way.

Personalized snowbirds car shipping

Every customer’s needs and every vehicle are going to be different. We’re set up to personalize every shipping experience, and our consultants are ready to help walk you through the process. You’ll even get to meet the driver that your car is entrusted to - that’s pretty personalized.

Customer support available 8 am to 7 pm

Things happen, and we know that people need answers sometimes…our customer support team is on call from 8 am to 7 pm EST to assist you.

Tailored snowbird car transport

Different vehicles, different budgets, different needs for security and protection for the car - we get it, and we’re ready to help with tailored services. If there’s anything where you need a little more info, our consultants will be happy to walk you through it.

Retirement Living's leader in the transport industry

Snowbird shipping is, of course, pretty popular with retirees. That’s why we’ve recently partnered with Retirement Living, who have named us a preferred provider for vehicle relocation services. Go ahead and read through some of the reviews on their site and find out for yourself!

Zero upfront fees

When you book your auto transport job, you won’t be billed until we find the right shipping service provider and your car is actually dispatched for shipping. You can also opt for discount shipping, with a small fee up front and balance due on delivery, which you can pay directly to the driver when you take possession of your car again.

Which auto transport service do snowbirds prefer?

Most of our customers prefer open car transport, where your vehicle is loaded onto a double-decker trailer along with several others. It does leave vehicles exposed to weather, but it’s by far the most budget-friendly option we offer. You can also reserve top loading on the upper tier, which exposes your car to less road grit.

A 10 or 12 hour drive is exhausting for anyone, and snowbird auto transport means you don’t have to worry about fuel costs, wear and tear and overnight accommodations if you are traveling a really long distance.

Auto shipping takes the risk factor out of the picture completely, with no miles on the odometer and no wear and tear

You can ship up to 100 lbs of personal items in your vehicle, as long as they’re secured in the trunk or cargo area

For enhanced security and protection, you can choose enclosed auto transport, where your vehicle is loaded into a closed trailer and protected on all sides.

We do run snowbird discounts from time to time - check back regularly on our website to see if any specials are applicable

We want to make things convenient for you - you let us know what works best for your pickup and delivery and we’ll accommodate.

Snowbird Auto Transport Overview and Recommendations

When you’re relocating south for the winter, why not leave vehicle transport to us? It’d be one headache that you wouldn’t have to worry about.

Why Snowbird Auto Transport is Ideal for Seasonal Car Shipping

No driving

No prepping the car for a long drive

No fuel costs

No need for a motel en route

Anytime you need to ship a vehicle, there are a few steps you can take to make that process go a little smoother. Here are some tips for snowbird auto transport:

Curb weight is a big part of shipping costs, and fuel weighs about 6 lbs per gallon. Shipping your car with ¼ tank of gas or less can save you money on rates.

Do you live on a crowded urban or suburban street with low hanging branches and lots of cars? It could be difficult or even against city ordinance to get an 80 ft transport truck to your address. If so, consider an easier spot to meet your driver, such as an open parking lot .

Please be sure your car’s battery is charged, all four tires are inflated and the headlights, taillights and turn signals work.

If your car isn’t in running condition, please let us know in advance. We can ship non-running vehicles but it requires special equipment and procedures and more time on the part of the driver.

Please check your car for any fluid leaks: motor oil, coolant, transmission, brake or power steering fluid. A transport driver might refuse to load a car with fluid leaks.

If you’re transporting a vintage car or anything that has certain mechanical quirks such as a difficult startup process, it’s a good idea to leave a “cheat sheet” with your driver to inform him.

Don’t forget to get a copy of the car’s ignition key to your transport driver.

It’s advisable to wash your car before transport. You’ll need to do a pre-trip and post-trip inspection along with the driver, and it’s easier to spot any dings or scrapes on a clean vehicle.

Look for testimonials and customer reviews on sites like BBB, Angies, uShip, Trustpilot and various logistics forums

Get fully informed about what services providers offer

Don’t go with the lowest rate - it’s a caveat emptor situation and you may not be pleased with the service of a very cheap company

Find out what the company’s driver network is like - how many drivers they have on call and what the process is, because they’re the people getting the job done

Don’t hesitate to do your due diligence when comparison shopping, and take your time with the decision.

Network of big fleet of trusted carriers transport drivers in the field for optimized routing and coverage

Overall customer satisfaction highly rated by our happy customers"

Several different shipping options available for different kinds of vehicles, different budgets, different situations and expectations

Comprehensive carrier insurance to cover every vehicle against the unexpected while it’s en route

Professionalism, punctuality, transparency and a commitment to service

Saves Time and Effort

Snowbirds car shipping takes all the stress out of getting your car to your winter home. No prepping the car for a lengthy drive, no need for a motel stay en route, no fuel costs, no boring hours on the Interstate - when you leave it to Legendary Auto Transport.

Stress-free, as you know your car is in good hands
Less wear and tear and miles on your vehicle
Professional handling and care for every car we haul

There are a few different options available for vehicle shipping:

Open car transport, the most popular and budget-friendly service we offer; your car shares the ride with several others on a double-decker auto transport trailer.

Enclosed car shipping, for vehicles that need a little extra security and protection. This is where the vehicle is loaded into a closed trailer and locked in for transport; enclosed car shipping is recommended for supercars, exotics, sports cars and any vehicle with low ground clearance.

White-glove shipping is recommended for delicate or high-dollar cars, with its premium level of handling and attention during transit and extra monitoring en route.

Express shipping is offered for short-notice shipping needs; we do prefer that you give at least two weeks lead time before your shipment, but we also know that’s not always possible and we can expedite orders this way.

Door-to-door shipping is the ultimate in convenience, as the driver picks up your car curbside from your location at your desired time and date, then delivers it curbside at your destination point

Find the Quote Calculator and enter the information it needs: your car’s year/make/model, its running condition, your desired timeframe, your desired pickup and destination points, and your preferred transport service (see above). Put in those details, wait a few seconds for the quote, and you can confirm and book your order.

The Legendary Auto Transport dispatch team will find the driver you need from our team, then we’ll dispatch the driver to your location to load up and secure your car for transport at your desired date and time.

We’ll give you an estimate on time of arrival at the destination, the driver will arrive at your destination address, you will both perform a post-trip inspection and you can take possession of your car again. It’s that easy!

We mentioned a few ideas on how to make sure your vehicle is ready for the transport driver, now here are a few more to keep in mind:

Disable any toll tags or RFID tags before transport.

Remove any detachable accessories like air dams, antennas, light bars, bike racks, rooftop cargo carriers.

Take a few photos of the vehicle pre-trip to document its condition.

Top 5 Reasons to Use Vehicle Shipping Instead of Driving

Less wear and tear on the vehicle, no fuel costs, no overnight stay

No exhausting drive

More convenient

One less headache to handle when relocating

The expense of transport is worth it when weighed against the above factors

It’s preferable to give at least two weeks’ heads up when booking your auto logistics job. That’s enough time to get things lined up with the right transport driver, taking the pressure off of everyone involved.

Certain calendar periods like July 4, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Labor Day mean a surge in booking for auto transport, with scarcer availability of drivers and a supply/demand equation that pushes rates up. If possible, schedule before or after these periods (call for details if you need to).

Getting your vehicle ready for short-notice booking isn’t much different from any other transport, but do be aware that premium charges will likely apply.

Retirement years are when things are supposed to get easier, and snowbird car transport is a great fit for retirees. Along with all the other details that go along with seasonal relocation, auto transport is a great way to take one of those headaches out of the equation, as well as getting that car back up north in the spring.

Our drivers and our dispatch team know the Interstate highway system very well - it was designed to connect major population centers cleanly and efficiently, and we leverage that knowledge of the Interstates for every delivery.

We figure on a single day for a logistics run that has to cover 200 miles, while a delivery that entails 2000 miles should be completed in an 8 to 9 day turnaround. There can then be a range of shorter turnarounds anywhere on that range of mileages.

Open car transport

Enclosed car transport

White-glove transport

1

Pickup and Drop-Off: What to Expect for Snowbird Transport

Don’t forget that you and the driver will both do inspections of the car pre-trip and post-trip, for the Bill of Lading.

2

Do I Need to be Present for Pickup and Delivery?

It’s not a must, but we do prefer it. If you can’t, you can hand off the delivery check-in to a spouse, neighbor or friend, provided that person is at least 18 and we are informed of your plans in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Snowbird Auto Transport?

It’s the popular term for getting people’s vehicles to Florida or a warmer Southern destination for winter, then back north again in spring.

Do snowbird transport services offer door-to-door delivery?

Yes, door to door delivery is available.

Are there tips for snowbirds to prepare their car for transport?

Yes, tips are listed above - take your time and make sure your car’s thoroughly prepped for transport.

How can I find reliable snowbird car transport companies?

Do your homework by comparing rates, reading reviews and testimonials, look into the services offered, and make sure the company has all the necessary permits and credentials for interstate transport.

How are snowbirds getting their cars to Florida?

Some snowbirds drive, but many find that transporting a car is easier and less stressful than a long drive.

How much does it cost to Snowbird in Florida?

Rates can vary according to your vehicle, your needs and your situation - call for details if necessary.

Can a snowbird buy a car in Florida?

Yes, and Legendary Auto Transport can ship that car back up north again in the spring!

How many months can a snowbird stay in Florida?

There’s no rule on this - Florida is a great place to spend the winter months and you should stay as long as you want.

Can a snowbird be a Florida resident?

Of course!

What part of Florida is best for snowbirds?

Florida has great beaches, and many snowbirds prefer to be close to the beach

Do snowbirds need Florida car insurance?

No, your home state’s insurance will cover you in Florida.

Do snowbirds need a Florida driver's license?

No, your home state’s driver’s license is valid throughout the United States.

How many Florida residents are snowbirds?

Some estimates state that as many as 1 million snowbirds take up residence in Florida in the winter, spiking the state’s population by about 5 percent

Guaranteed pick-up service / Expedited service

Snowbird Car Shipping

What is snowbird car shipping?

How much does snowbird car shipping cost?

Is snowbird car shipping better than driving?

How our snowbirds car transport services works

Quick & safe snowbirds car transport services in 3 easy steps

Get a quote and book your order

We pick up your vehicle

You receive your vehicle