Seasonal Guide
The Best Time to Ship a Car to Florida
A complete month-by-month pricing guide for snowbirds — when to ship, when to save, and how to book the right window for your schedule.
Cheapest Time
January – February
Off-peak, best availability
Most Expensive
October – November
Peak snowbird season
Spring Return Peak
March – April
Book 3–4 weeks ahead
Why Timing Matters So Much for Florida Car Shipping
Florida car shipping is one of the most seasonally volatile vehicle transport markets in the United States. Unlike most shipping corridors that see moderate year-round fluctuation, the East Coast and Midwest-to-Florida corridors experience enormous demand swings driven by the seasonal snowbird migration — hundreds of thousands of retirees and seasonal residents making the same move in the same narrow window.
Understanding the seasonal pattern lets you make a smarter decision: ship in September or January and save $100–$200 while getting faster service, or ship in October knowing you'll pay peak prices but arrive on your ideal timeline. Either can be the right answer — what matters is making the choice deliberately.
Month-by-Month Shipping Guide
East Coast and Midwest origins to Florida. Prices shown for open transport.
September
The unofficial start of snowbird season. Early-bird snowbirds ship in September to beat the October rush. Carrier availability is still comfortable, pricing is pre-peak, and you get your pick of pickup windows. Best choice for organized early movers.
October
The busiest month of the year. Hundreds of thousands of snowbirds ship simultaneously — New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan all peak in October. Expect the highest prices and the longest carrier assignment times. Book in September for October moves.
November
Second peak of the southbound season. Volume is slightly lower than October — many snowbirds have already shipped. Still book 3–4 weeks ahead. Thanksgiving-window pickups need firm advance planning. The second wave of Midwest snowbirds (Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota) ships heavily in November.
December
Demand drops significantly after Thanksgiving. December is the first 'breathing room' month — carriers are less congested, pricing softens $100–$200 from peak, and assignment times shorten. A great choice for snowbirds who can arrive in Florida after Thanksgiving.
January
January is the off-peak window for southbound shipping. Carriers have capacity to spare, pricing is near-annual lows, and assignment times are fast. Many late-departing snowbirds who stayed through the holidays ship in January. Ideal for anyone with flexible arrival timing.
February
February matches January for the lowest pricing and best availability of the year. Carrier capacity is highest; snowbirds who can ship in January or February get the most carrier selection and fastest booking-to-delivery times.
March
The start of the northbound spring return. East Coast snowbirds (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland) return in March — often timed around Passover or Easter. Book from Florida 3–4 weeks ahead for March pickups. Demand spikes sharply mid-March through end of month.
April
April is the peak northbound month. Nearly all East Coast and many Midwest snowbirds return in April — the convergence of Passover, Easter, and the general 'snowbird return window' makes April the mirror of October for northbound demand. Book 3–4 weeks ahead from Florida.
May
Midwest snowbirds (Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin) stay later and return in May, waiting for Midwest winters to end. May is the transition month — East Coast demand has dropped, Midwest demand is still going. Book 2 weeks ahead. Pricing is softer than April.
June–August
Summer is pure off-season for Florida snowbird shipping. Carrier capacity is highest; pricing is near annual lows. Year-round movers, corporate relocations, and military families ship in summer. If you're moving to Florida year-round and not a snowbird, summer is the best window.
Seasonal Price Comparison — NY/NJ to Florida
| Period | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| September (early bird) | $900–$1,150 | $1,450–$1,850 |
| October (peak) | $1,100–$1,450 | $1,700–$2,150 |
| November (high) | $950–$1,300 | $1,550–$2,050 |
| December (shoulder) | $850–$1,150 | $1,400–$1,850 |
| Jan–Feb (off-peak) | $850–$1,100 | $1,400–$1,800 |
| March (spring return north) | $950–$1,300 | $1,550–$2,050 |
| April (spring peak north) | $1,100–$1,550 | $1,700–$2,300 |
| May (late return north) | $900–$1,250 | $1,450–$2,000 |
Prices shown for New York/New Jersey origins to South and Central Florida. Midwest prices are comparable ±$50–$100. Actual price depends on exact origin/destination zip code, vehicle type, and carrier availability.
5 Tips to Get the Best Price on Florida Car Shipping
Book early — for October shipping, book in mid-September. Early bookings get better carrier selection and lock in pricing before peak demand inflates rates.
Choose open transport — it costs $850–$1,450 vs. $1,400–$2,200 for enclosed. Open transport is safe, insured, and the professional standard for 90%+ of vehicles.
Be flexible on pickup date — a 3–5 day flexible window instead of a specific date can save $50–$100 and speed up carrier assignment.
Ship in December instead of October if possible — December pricing is $100–$200 below peak. If your Florida community opens in October but you can stay home until December, the savings are real.
Combine with snowbird community neighbors — if multiple residents of your community need Florida shipping, EZ Auto Movers can sometimes optimize carrier loads for coordinated pickups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers to the most common seasonal shipping questions.