The seasonal squeeze
Southbound demand spikes from mid-October through December; northbound peaks from late March through May. Rates rise and availability tightens in those windows. Booking early is the single biggest cost lever you control.
Seasonal
Snowbird Auto Transport
Seasonal north-south vehicle relocation booked around your travel calendar.
Every October and April tens of thousands of vehicles run the snowbird corridor between the Northeast, Midwest and Florida. We have moved that lane for over a decade from our Naples base and we know exactly how far ahead you need to book to get the date you want.
- Book 3–6 weeks ahead for peak season
- Round-trip seasonal scheduling
- Gated community and condo delivery
- Storage-to-residence transport
- Open or enclosed carriers
- Returning-client priority dispatch with our preferred carrier network
Round trips
Lock in both legs at booking and we hold your return slot. Most of our snowbird clients have been with us for years and simply text us a date.
Florida delivery expertise
Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Marco Island, Bonita Springs and Palm Beach communities each have their own access quirks. We know them.
Not sure which type of carrier you need?
Don't worry. You don't have to know whether your vehicle belongs on an open carrier, an enclosed trailer, a winch-equipped truck or specialized equipment. Just tell us what you're shipping, its condition, where it's going and when you need it moved. We'll review the shipment and determine what type of transportation is appropriate.
Please note: Anything that rolls on its own wheels must be roadworthy before pickup. The customer is responsible for repairs — tires, bearings, brakes, lights — and for towing and repair costs if the unit becomes disabled in transit.
- $250,000 cargo coverage on open carriers
- up to $2,000,000 cargo coverage on enclosed carriers
- Licensed & bonded · USDOT #2273104 · MC #774106
- Owner Operated
- A+ rated with the BBB
At pickup
Photograph and video the pickup
Photograph everything the day of pickup
- Photos of the truck and trailer that is picking up your vehicle
- A clear photo of the truck / trailer license plate
- A photo of the driver's CDL
- Photos of your car before loading — front, back, both sides and the top
- A video showing your car actually being loaded onto the truck
Photos taken beforehand are not accepted by insurance companies — they must be taken at pickup, the day the carrier loads your vehicle.
All claims must be filed with the carrier, not with Enterprise Auto Transport. The assigned carrier holds the cargo insurance on your vehicle; as a licensed broker we arrange the transport and do not carry cargo coverage.
FAQ
Snowbird Auto Transport questions
How far in advance should I book snowbird transport?
Three to six weeks ahead for October–December arrivals and March–May departures. Those are the busiest north-south corridors of the year and carrier space sells out first on the most popular dates.
Why do I need to book three to six weeks out?
Snowbird season concentrates tens of thousands of moves into a short window. The carriers that serve Florida, Arizona and the Gulf Coast fill their decks quickly. Booking early locks in your pickup window and usually saves money compared to last-minute rates.
What is priority dispatch for returning clients?
Returning clients get priority dispatch with our preferred carrier network. Because we already have your vehicle details, community access notes and preferred dates on file, we can confirm a carrier faster and often secure a better pickup slot than a brand-new booking.
Can I schedule my round trip at the same time?
Yes. Most snowbirds lock in both the southbound and northbound legs when they book. We note your target dates, hold your return slot, and reach out when it is time to dispatch.
What if my travel dates change?
Let us know as soon as possible. We keep flexibility built into snowbird orders because seasonal travel plans often shift. We will re-dispatch to the new window without penalty whenever the carrier market allows.
Can you deliver to my condo?
Yes — usually curbside or at an adjacent lot if the property cannot accommodate a semi.
Snowbird move checklist
Everything to handle before the seasonal run
3–6 weeks before your move
- Pick your window: October–December for Florida arrivals, March–May for northbound departures.
- Lock both legs at booking if you already know your return month.
- Tell us you are a returning client so we flag the order for priority dispatch.
- Choose open ($250k cargo coverage) or enclosed with soft-tie system ($1M coverage).
- Confirm gate codes, clubhouse access rules and where a carrier may legally stage.
1–2 weeks before pickup
- Service the vehicle — oil, battery, tires — so it travels road-ready.
- Have the battery tested if the car sat through a season; a dead battery delays loading.
- Update insurance for your seasonal state and forward your mail.
- Photograph all four corners, the roof and the interior with a date stamp.
The week of pickup
- Remove or fully deactivate every toll transponder — we are not responsible for tolls incurred in transit.
- Remove garage openers, parking passes and gate clickers.
- Empty personal items; carrier cargo insurance does not cover them.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel and only the ignition key.
Pickup and delivery day
- Walk the vehicle with the driver and review the Bill of Lading before signing.
- Keep your signed copy — you need it for any claim.
- Inspect in good light at delivery and note any new damage before the driver leaves.
- Reactivate transponders once the vehicle is back in your hands.
Snowbird Move Checklist (PDF)
A printable two-page version you can keep with your travel paperwork, covering the full timeline from booking through delivery, plus the broker disclosure and our official contact details.
Snowbird pricing FAQ
What shapes your seasonal transport cost
These are the most common pricing questions we hear from snowbird clients. Knowing the factors ahead of time helps you avoid surprises and choose the right service level.
Why does the timing window affect my snowbird transport price?
The October–December arrival and March–May departure windows are the busiest months for seasonal moves. Booking three to six weeks ahead locks in a carrier before peak demand pushes rates higher. Last-minute moves inside those windows often cost more because fewer trucks have open spots heading the same direction.
How does vehicle type change the cost?
Standard sedans and compact SUVs ship at the base rate because they fit easily on a standard open carrier. Larger SUVs, lifted trucks, classic cars, and exotic vehicles may need enclosed transport with our soft-tie system or take extra deck space, which adds to the price. Inoperable vehicles also require winching and cost more than running vehicles.
Does the route itself change the price?
Yes. Routes between major snowbird corridors — such as New York, Illinois, or Michigan down to Florida — have more carriers competing for loads, which keeps pricing competitive. Remote pickup or delivery locations, island communities, and gated neighborhoods with limited truck access can add a local shuttle or meet-and-greet fee.
What role does seasonality play?
Seasonal demand swings are the biggest driver of snowbird pricing. Rates rise as more vehicles head south in the fall and north in the spring. Returning clients who book early receive priority dispatch through our preferred carrier network, which helps control both price and pickup timing.
Are there hidden fees I should expect?
No hidden fees. Your quote covers door-to-door transport on the selected carrier type. Optional costs — such as enclosed transport, guaranteed pickup dates, or remote-location shuttles — are quoted upfront. The deposit is charged at the time of booking and explain exactly what it covers before you pay.
Can I save money by being flexible on pickup?
Absolutely. A flexible pickup window of three to five days gives us more carriers to choose from, which usually produces a better rate than a single-date, guaranteed pickup. If your schedule allows, choose the flexible option on the quote form.
Returning client?
Confirm your priority dispatch status
Have you shipped with us before?
Returning snowbird clients get priority dispatch through our preferred carrier network. Use the priority dispatch request form to verify a past shipment and set your preferred pickup timing — we will move your order to the front of the queue.
Also available
Other transport services
Open Car Transport
The most requested way to ship a vehicle — on a full-size 7-to-10 car semi carrier.
Enclosed Car Transport
White-glove, fully covered transport for luxury, exotic and collector vehicles.
Door-to-Door Transport
Pickup and delivery at your address — home, office, dealership or storage facility.
Military Car Shipping
PCS orders, deployment storage and base-to-base transport with military discounts.
Inoperable Car Shipping
Winch-equipped carriers for non-running, project and salvage vehicles.
Classic Car Transport
Vintage, restored and collector vehicles moved by specialists who understand them.
Keep exploring
Where we run Snowbird Auto Transport
Snowbird Auto Transport is available nationwide. These state and city pages show local pickup windows, staging notes and the routes we dispatch most often.
Top states for this service
Popular city pages
Where we ship
Popular states and routes
The state and route pages below cover the corridors we dispatch most often, with seasonal pickup windows, transit times and open versus enclosed pricing for each one.
Top state auto transport pages
Most requested car shipping routes
- Minnesota to Florida Car Shipping
- Florida to Minnesota Car Shipping
- New York to Florida Car Shipping
- Florida to New York Car Shipping
- Ohio to Florida Car Shipping
- Florida to Ohio Car Shipping
- California to Florida Car Shipping
- Florida to California Car Shipping
- New Jersey to Florida Car Shipping
- Massachusetts to Florida Car Shipping
- Pennsylvania to Florida Car Shipping
- Florida to Texas Car Shipping
Ready to Ship your car?
Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.