Welcome to the Transpicuous Logistics blog! For our first post, we thought we should shine some light on the effects that the pandemic is having on the great migration to the south. We’re talking to you snowbirds! The politically correct term is “winter visitors”.
Business wise, shipping cars south to the warm weather states always keeps us busy this time of year, but the changing of the season is at a whole new level in 2020. Being based in the sunshine state is a major reason why Transpicuous Logistics has become synonymous with snowbird car shipping. Each year around the holiday season, the population booms, and the facts are in that since the beginning of the pandemic, home sales in part of Florida have more than doubled.
Whether you’re moving south for a short vacation or taking on a brand new lifestyle for the long haul, we’re here to guide you through the car shipping basics. At the end of the day, it’s your choice on whether you ship your car or take the road trip, and we hope this guide helps you make the best choice. Of course from our perspective, the hassle-free option is to hire a professional auto shipper.
As a general rule of thumb, before you sign the dotted line and hand over your keys it’s important to do your home work and pricing research.
Shipping cars is simple in principle, but expect for there to be a fluctuation in the quotes that you receive due to the fast moving nature of the auto-hauling industry. Often the prices you are quoted will reflect the size and type of your vehicle, but there are other variables, such as carrier availability, weight limit restrictions and routes.
Now that it’s time to make the big move, let’s dive into the 6 things you need to know before you ship your car.
Business wise, shipping cars south to the warm weather states always keeps us busy this time of year, but the changing of the season is at a whole new level in 2020. Being based in the sunshine state is a major reason why Transpicuous Logistics has become synonymous with snowbird car shipping. Each year around the holiday season, the population booms, and the facts are in that since the beginning of the pandemic, home sales in part of Florida have more than doubled.
Whether you’re moving south for a short vacation or taking on a brand new lifestyle for the long haul, we’re here to guide you through the car shipping basics. At the end of the day, it’s your choice on whether you ship your car or take the road trip, and we hope this guide helps you make the best choice. Of course from our perspective, the hassle-free option is to hire a professional auto shipper.
As a general rule of thumb, before you sign the dotted line and hand over your keys it’s important to do your home work and pricing research.
Shipping cars is simple in principle, but expect for there to be a fluctuation in the quotes that you receive due to the fast moving nature of the auto-hauling industry. Often the prices you are quoted will reflect the size and type of your vehicle, but there are other variables, such as carrier availability, weight limit restrictions and routes.
Now that it’s time to make the big move, let’s dive into the 6 things you need to know before you ship your car.
When is Snowbird Season?
Because the pandemic has increased the popularity of remote work, younger families and young professionals have started to follow the trend. Did you know that Canada even has their own Snowbird organization!
The great migration usually begins as the temperature starts dropping in the northern states, and snowbirds tend to return as the snow melts away. We’ve shipped cars for snowbirds as early as mid September, but the peak season is late October.
The great migration usually begins as the temperature starts dropping in the northern states, and snowbirds tend to return as the snow melts away. We’ve shipped cars for snowbirds as early as mid September, but the peak season is late October.
How to decide whether you ship your car or drive it
Sitting at the beach all day every day does sound beautiful, but if you’re one of the lucky ones that gets to escape the cold weather for the sunshine, you know that having your vehicle is the way to go. It’s common for snowbirds to make a road trip out of their transition by driving their own car. Staying at hotels, Airbnb’s and rental homes is all part of the fun, but driving long distances is highly taxing on vehicles and may increase the risk of breakdowns and issues to your fuel pump or transmission.
A drive from New York to Miami is 1,500 miles. After adding up the accommodation and fuel expenses, it’s not hard to see why most snowbirds choose to ship their car.
A drive from New York to Miami is 1,500 miles. After adding up the accommodation and fuel expenses, it’s not hard to see why most snowbirds choose to ship their car.
Communication is crucial
Nobody knows your car like you do, so be sure to have all of your vehicle and shipping information available as part of the discussion. This includes information such as your preference for the pick-up, the vehicle type, year, make and model and the destination. The more information you provide to the car shipping company during your initial conversations helps the process flow smoother.
Plan ahead and book early
Only call for snowbird car shipping quotes after you have your accommodation dates are booked. Plan to schedule in advance by at least a week because snowbird car shipping season is one of the busiest times of the year. While it may seem like a good idea to try to schedule a month in advance, it’s nearly impossible for the drivers to know when and where they will be 30 days out.
If you choose to ship your car with Transpicuous Logistics, we’ve been doing it long enough to say that 7-10 days is the perfect way to get a good price with accurate delivery. This time frame enables us to research hundreds of routes and make contact with our partner carriers to deliver the best car shipping price.
If you choose to ship your car with Transpicuous Logistics, we’ve been doing it long enough to say that 7-10 days is the perfect way to get a good price with accurate delivery. This time frame enables us to research hundreds of routes and make contact with our partner carriers to deliver the best car shipping price.
What are the right questions to ask?
Of course, you’re wondering how much it costs to ship your car long distance. Pick up the phone, and give us a call to receive a free quote. Helping customers look after their auto shipping needs is what we do, and we promise to have the answers to all of your questions. The price to ship your car will vary based on the distance, carrier routes and fuel prices. Partner carriers often will help snowbirds who ship their car long distances car by offering a lower per-mile rate. Our customers will receive much cheaper prices in their quotes during off-season periods.
With over 30 years of experience helping families and individual owners ship their cars south, we’re ready to assist every step of the way.
With over 30 years of experience helping families and individual owners ship their cars south, we’re ready to assist every step of the way.