Plenty of Alabamians spend part of the winter somewhere warmer, and plenty of visitors from colder states spend theirs on the Alabama coast. Either way, the question of the car comes up twice a year. Driving is one answer. Shipping the car and flying is often a better one. This guide covers the timing, the cost, and the details that make a seasonal shipment easy.
Why ship the car instead of driving it?
A long solo drive is tiring, and it becomes more so with each passing year. Shipping saves two or three days in each direction, keeps the miles off the car, and avoids winter weather on the way. Many couples drive one vehicle with their luggage and ship the second. Others ship the car and enjoy a two-hour flight.
When to book
Seasonal shipping follows a predictable calendar, and so do prices.
- Heading south. Demand builds from October and peaks between late December and mid-January.
- Heading home. The rush runs from mid-March through April, with the weeks around Easter the busiest.
During those peaks, carriers on the popular routes fill quickly. Book two to three weeks ahead and offer a pickup window of several days. If you can travel a little before or after the crowd, you will usually pay less.
What it costs from Alabama
| Destination | Distance from Birmingham | Open carrier | Time in transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panhandle | About 260 mi | $350 – $700 | 1–3 days |
| Central and South Florida | 550 to 770 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| South Texas | 900 to 1,100 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Arizona | About 1,700 mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
Prices are for a standard sedan and rise a little in the busy direction during peak weeks. A large SUV or pickup typically costs $75 to $150 more.
Planning the round trip
You can arrange both directions at the same time. Tell us your departure date in the fall and your expected return in the spring. Having the spring trip on the calendar early is the best protection against the March rush. If your plans change, a phone call moves the date.
Delivery to a condo, a resort, or an RV park
Seasonal addresses often have rules about large trucks. Car carriers cannot enter parking decks, and many communities restrict commercial vehicles. This is easy to work around. The driver meets you at an open lot nearby, and you drive the last few blocks. Tell us the name of the complex or the park, so we can plan ahead.
If the car will arrive before you do, a friend, a neighbor, or a property manager can receive it. They inspect the vehicle, sign the report, and hold the keys.
Leaving from the other end
When it is time to come home, schedule pickup for the day before you fly, or for the morning you leave. If you need to go earlier, someone else can release the car. Give us their name and number.
Open or enclosed for a seasonal trip?
Open transport is right for most seasonal shipments. If you are bringing a convertible or a classic to enjoy in the sunshine, enclosed transport keeps it clean and protected for roughly 60 to 80 percent more.
Bringing a golf cart
Many winter communities run on golf carts. A cart can travel on the same order as your car and arrive at the same address. Mention it when you request a quote.
A short checklist
- Book two to three weeks ahead in peak season.
- Give a pickup window, not a single day.
- Empty the car. Belongings are not covered by the carrier's insurance.
- Leave a quarter tank of fuel and remove toll tags.
- Name a backup contact at each end.
- Arrange the return trip before you leave.
With those few things done, your car will be waiting where the weather is better, and you will have skipped the drive.