Best Time of Year to Ship a Car: Seasonal Car Shipping Tips to Save Money

Planning your next vacation to or from the Pacific Northwest should be fun, especially once you have the logistics covered. If you want to fly to your vacation home but keep your car available during your trip, shipping it across the country can be more of a hassle than a holiday. Lee Bowe Company specializes in shipping cars quickly and efficiently, with budget-friendly options. Whether you’re planning a balmy winter stay in a southern state or you always travel to Washington for summer relaxation, our team can help you take your car off your to-do list. Start with these seasonal car shipping tips.

Understanding the Impact of Seasonal Demand on Shipping Costs

Before you start comparison shopping and decide the best time to ship a car, it’s important to understand the seasonal trends that affect shipping costs. There are three main factors to consider:

• Season. Summer surges in vacation activity can affect pricing, availability, and your car delivery schedule. Conversely, snowstorms and bad winter weather can cause unexpected delays and costs.
• Fuel prices. Fuel will impact the total cost of your car shipment. Dozens of factors can shape fuel prices you’ll need to account for, regardless of the season.
• Demand. Both summer and winter travel seasons have peak demand, depending on your destination, and some companies may have limited availability or charge extra to expedite shipment.

As a general rule, summer shipments cost significantly more than in other seasons.

The Pros and Cons of Shipping During Winter vs. Summer

If your schedule is more malleable or you’re planning a permanent move, you can compare the drawbacks of summer and winter shipments to find the best choice for you. For example, summer shipment schedules will generally be more expensive. Alternatively, winter transport can increase the risk of delays due to bad weather.

How long does it take to ship a car? Car shipments across the country can take about 2 weeks, with snow and ice adding 2 days or more to the schedule. Hurricanes can also drastically change the route and schedule if you’re shipping your car to or from the eastern coast.

You can sidestep many of the challenges of winter and summer car shipments by scheduling off-peak. If you can ship your car in spring or autumn, when demand is lower and the weather is less severe, you can find lower prices and a more accurate delivery date.

Expert Car Shipping for Snowbirds and Vacation Homeowners

Is this one of the first times you’re considering shipping your car between your primary residence and your second home? Here are some seasonal car shipping tips to keep in mind:

• Ask about covered transportation. It’s less common than open-air trailer transport, but the extra cost may be worth the extra protection.
• Look for services that provide end-to-end transportation; that is, they pick up your car from your address and deliver it straight to your new address, so you don’t have to drive much.
• Traveling at the end of the year? Consider scheduling car transport for early December, as the holiday rush can be just as busy as the summer holiday peak.
• Choose a company that reduces your stress. At Lee Bowe Company, we handle all the details for seasonal relocations so you don’t have to worry about the little things, disruptions, or uncertainty.

Plan Your Seasonal Shipment With Lee Bowe Company

Reduce your car shipping worries by choosing Lee Bowe Company. We’re available to answer any questions and walk you through transportation options, so you have your car exactly when and where you need it. Contact the team for a personalized quote and a breakdown of our available shipment times. The sooner you lock in your date, the easier it is to plan your seasonal travels.

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