Shipping a Car to Florida: The Complete Snowbird Guide
Prestige Auto Shipping is headquartered in Miami, which means we live and breathe Florida snowbird routes. Every fall we move thousands of vehicles from the Northeast and Midwest down I-95 and I-75. Every spring we run the same routes back north. Here's everything you need to know.
When does snowbird season actually start?
The official snowbird season runs from mid-October through early December (south-bound) and mid-March through April (north-bound). But the smart move is to book 3–4 weeks before those windows open. Carriers start filling routes 6 weeks ahead, and the best rates lock in early.
Top snowbird origin states
- New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania — I-95 corridor
- Michigan, Ohio, Indiana — I-75 corridor
- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island — I-95 corridor
- Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota — combined I-75 / I-65 routes
- Canada (Ontario, Quebec) — cross-border to Florida
Top Florida destinations
- Naples & Marco Island (Gulf Coast retirees)
- Sarasota & Bradenton (Suncoast)
- Tampa & St. Petersburg
- Orlando & The Villages
- Miami, Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach
- The Florida Keys
Typical snowbird pricing (round-trip)
- NY → Tampa: $1,000–$1,250 (each direction)
- Detroit → Naples: $1,100–$1,350
- Chicago → Orlando: $1,050–$1,300
- Boston → Fort Lauderdale: $1,150–$1,400
- Toronto → Miami: $1,400–$1,800 (includes border crossing)
Many of our snowbirds book a round-trip with us in October — fall delivery to Florida, spring pickup back home — and get a 10–15% discount on the bundle.
Snowbird scheduling pro tips
1. Book early for the season
If you've been a snowbird before, you already know — last week of September is when rates start climbing. Booking by mid-September locks in the best fall pricing. Same applies to spring: book by late February for the March/April return.
2. Be flexible on pickup window
A 5-day pickup window vs. a 1-day window can save you $150–$250. Snowbirds are typically flexible (you're not on a fixed work schedule), so use that to your advantage.
3. Use the same broker every year
Repeat customers get priority routing, the same driver year after year when possible, and lower rates. Build a relationship — we honor loyalty.
4. Consider top-load on open transport
For an extra $100–$200, you can guarantee top-load position on the open carrier. Higher off the road, no drips from vehicles above, and statistically lower risk of cosmetic issues.
Should snowbirds use enclosed transport?
For a daily driver, no — open is fine. For a high-end vehicle (Mercedes S-Class, Tesla Model X, BMW 7-Series) or a classic show car heading to Concours in Florida, yes. The 40–60% premium is worth it.
What if my schedule changes?
Snowbirds often shift their travel dates. We give you 48-hour free rescheduling on snowbird routes — just call us and we'll move your pickup window. Cancellations 7+ days before pickup are free.