Every fall, a wave of retirees and remote workers trades snow shovels for sunshine, and every spring they head back home. Driving 1,200 miles or more each way gets old fast. Sahara Auto Transport is based in Hollywood, Florida, right in the middle of snowbird country, so we know these routes well. Our snowbird auto transport service picks up your car from your driveway in the Northeast or Midwest and delivers it to your winter home in Florida, Arizona, Texas, or wherever you spend the season.
Seasonal shipping has a rhythm. Southbound demand builds in October and peaks from November through early January. Northbound demand climbs in March and runs into May, with a strong push around Easter. Carriers fill these lanes quickly, so booking a few weeks ahead gives you better pickup dates and steadier pricing. Many of our snowbird customers book both legs at once, then simply confirm the return date once their spring plans are set.
You fly, we handle the car. A vetted, insured carrier inspects your vehicle at pickup, records its condition on the Bill of Lading, and calls ahead before delivery so someone can meet the truck. If you have not arrived yet, a neighbor, condo manager, or family member can accept the car for you. Your car is waiting when your flight lands, and you can start the season without a single day lost to the interstate.
Who books snowbird car shipping
- Retirees splitting the year between the North and Florida or Arizona
- Couples who fly south and want their own car waiting
- Owners of a second home in a 55+ community or condo
- Remote workers spending the winter months somewhere warm
- Adult children arranging a parent's seasonal move
What you get
Why customers choose Sahara for this
Round-trip planning
Book the southbound and northbound legs together. We note your preferred return window and reconfirm it with you as spring approaches.
Florida-based team
Our office is in Hollywood, Florida, so routes into Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, and The Villages are everyday work for us.
Someone else can meet the truck
Still up north when the car arrives? Any adult you authorize can sign for it, including a condo office, a neighbor, or a relative.
Gated community know-how
Large car haulers often cannot enter gated communities or narrow residential streets. We arrange a nearby meeting point when needed so delivery stays simple.
Open or enclosed
Most snowbirds choose open transport for a daily driver. Enclosed carriers are available for a convertible, a classic, or a car you want kept out of the weather.
Step by step
How Snowbird Auto Transport works
Mile 01
Pick your season dates
Tell us when you plan to leave and where the car is headed. We can quote both directions at once, free and with no obligation.
Mile 02
Prep and pickup
Leave the car with about a quarter tank, remove valuables and garage remotes, and meet the driver for the walkaround inspection and Bill of Lading signature.
Mile 03
Your car heads south
The carrier travels main corridors such as I-95 and I-75 toward Florida or I-40 and I-10 toward Arizona, and you hear from us as the truck gets close.
Mile 04
Delivery at your winter home
The driver calls ahead, you or your designee inspects the car, and you are set for the season. In spring, we run the same steps in reverse.
Pricing
What shapes your price
- 01Direction and timing, since fall southbound and spring northbound lanes are in peak demand
- 02Total distance, such as Boston to Naples versus Atlanta to Tampa
- 03Open or enclosed carrier
- 04Delivery access, including gated communities and tight streets
- 05Vehicle size, from compact sedans to full-size SUVs
- 06How far ahead you book and how flexible your dates are
Getting the timing right for snowbird season
The single best thing you can do is book early. Pickup windows from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New England toward Florida get tight around Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, and the trip back north gets crowded in late March and April. Booking several weeks ahead lets us match you with a carrier already running your lane rather than waiting for space to open up.
Before the car leaves home, check tire pressure, top off fluids, and make sure the battery is healthy, especially if the car will sit for a while after delivery. Remove toll transponders or store them in a shielded bag so you are not billed for tolls along the truck's route. Keep your registration and insurance current, and check whether your winter state has any rules for longer seasonal stays.