Best Time of Year to Ship a Car (and When to Avoid)
Here's something most brokers won't tell you: shipping your car in January instead of June can save you $300-500. We've shipped over 50,000 vehicles since 2015, and the seasonal price swings are wild. Let me break down exactly when to book - and when to run.
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What's the Cheapest Time of Year to Ship Your Car?
January through March are hands down the cheapest months to ship a car. We're talking $800-1,100 for routes that cost $1,200-1,600 in summer. The reason? Everyone's broke after the holidays and nobody's moving.
Carriers are desperate for loads during winter months. They've got trucks sitting empty because demand drops 40-50% compared to peak season. That translates directly to savings for you.
Here's what we see in our booking data: a typical route from shipping in Phoenix to Chicago runs $950 in February but jumps to $1,350 in July. Same exact service, same carriers, massive price difference. The only catch? You might wait an extra 2-3 days for pickup since there are fewer trucks running.
When Are Car Shipping Rates Most Expensive?
Summer is brutal for your wallet. June, July, and August are peak season, and prices reflect it. We've seen rates spike 30-60% above winter pricing during these months.
Why the massive jump? College students moving, families relocating before school starts, snowbirds heading north, and everyone trying to beat the heat by shipping instead of driving. Plus, carriers know they can charge premium rates because demand is through the roof.
Real talk: if you're shipping during peak summer and your quote seems reasonable, book it immediately. Good carriers get snatched up fast, and prices only go higher as available trucks disappear. Last July, we had customers who waited a week to decide and ended up paying $200 more for the same route.
How Do Seasonal Weather Patterns Affect Car Shipping?
Weather isn't just about pricing - it's about whether your car moves at all. Winter storms shut down major highways like I-70 through Colorado and I-80 through Wyoming for days at a time.
But here's the thing: spring can be worse than winter for delays. March and April bring unpredictable storms, flooding, and that lovely combination of ice storms that shut down everything from Dallas to Detroit. We've had Cross Country Car Shipping orders delayed 5-7 days because of spring weather.
Summer weather is predictable - hot, dry, and fast. Hurricane season (June through November) mainly affects Gulf Coast and Eastern seaboard routes. If you're shipping to Florida during hurricane season, build in extra time. Carriers won't move into storm zones, period.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Peak Season Shipping?
Peak season pricing isn't just about higher base rates. Carriers start adding fees you don't see in off-season: expedited pickup fees, fuel surcharges, and "high demand" upcharges.
We see customers get hit with $150-300 in additional fees during peak months that simply don't exist in January. Plus, you lose negotiating power. In winter, carriers compete for your business. In summer, you're competing with hundreds of other customers.
The hidden cost most people miss? Rushed booking mistakes. When prices are climbing daily and availability is tight, customers make bad decisions. They book unlicensed brokers, skip insurance verification, or choose carriers with poor ratings just to get their car moved. Those mistakes cost way more than seasonal price differences.
How Far in Advance Should You Book During Different Seasons?
Winter shipping? You can book 1-2 weeks out and be fine. Carriers need the business, and there's usually availability. Some of our customers book Door-to-Door Car Shipping just 5 days in advance during slow months.
Peak season is a different beast. Book 3-4 weeks ahead minimum, especially for popular routes like California to Texas or Florida to New York. We recommend 6 weeks for college moves or military relocations during summer.
Here's what happens when you don't plan ahead: you end up paying premium rates for whatever carrier has space. Last August, a customer needed emergency shipping from Seattle to Miami. Waited until the last minute and paid $2,100 for a route that typically runs $1,400. Emergency shipping during peak season is painful.
Which Routes Are Most Affected by Seasonal Pricing?
Snowbird routes get hammered twice a year. Florida-bound shipping spikes in October/November when retirees head south, then spikes again in April/May when they return north. These routes can double in price during migration months.
College routes explode in August and May. Anywhere near major universities - think Austin, Boston, Los Angeles - becomes expensive and slow during move-in/move-out periods. Routes to college towns that normally run $900 can hit $1,400-1,600.
Surprisingly, holiday shipping (November-December) isn't terrible price-wise, but availability sucks. Everyone wants their car delivered before Christmas, but carriers are dealing with weather delays and driver shortages. You'll pay normal rates but wait longer than usual.
How Do Industry Events and Regulations Affect Seasonal Shipping?
Carrier inspections happen in spring, and they knock 10-15% of trucks off the road temporarily. April and May can be tight for availability while carriers fix violations and get back on the road.
Harvest season (September-November) ties up a lot of truck capacity in agricultural states. Carriers make good money hauling crops, so fewer trucks are available for auto transport. It's not as bad as summer peak, but you'll notice reduced availability in the Midwest.
ELD (Electronic Logging Device) regulations hit the industry hard, and effects are worse during peak seasons when drivers are already maxed out on hours. Summer shipping takes longer now because drivers can't fudge their logbooks to make up time.
What's the Best Strategy for Flexible Shipping Dates?
If you've got flexible dates, target the shoulder seasons: late March/early April and September/October. You'll get better rates than peak summer but avoid winter weather delays.
Here's our insider tip: Tuesday and Wednesday pickups are cheaper than Monday/Friday. Carriers prefer mid-week scheduling because it helps their routing efficiency. It's not a huge discount, but every $50 helps.
For maximum savings, consider terminal-to-terminal shipping during off-peak months. You'll drive to a carrier terminal instead of getting Door-to-Door Car Shipping, but you can save $100-200 on top of off-season rates. Works great if you're near major cities like shipping in Phoenix where terminals are convenient.
Car Shipping Costs by Season (Popular Routes)
| Route | Winter (Jan-Mar) | Summer (Jun-Aug) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to New York | $1,100-1,400 | $1,500-1,900 | +$400-500 |
| Miami to Chicago | $900-1,200 | $1,300-1,600 | +$400 |
| Phoenix to Atlanta | $850-1,100 | $1,200-1,500 | +$350-400 |
| Seattle to Dallas | $950-1,250 | $1,350-1,700 | +$400-450 |
| Boston to Denver | $1,000-1,300 | $1,400-1,800 | +$400-500 |
Book your winter shipping in December for January pickup. Carriers offer their lowest rates when securing loads for slow months. We've seen customers save an additional $100-150 with advance booking.
Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.