Every spring, the same thing happens.
Retirees who spent the winter Naples, Sarasota, or Fort Myers start packing, and somewhere on the to-do list sits a question that catches many people off guard: what to do with a second car.
Driving 1,200 miles round trip isn't attractive when you've already booked a flight home.
That's where transportation is by car it quietly becomes part of the snowbird's path, and similar routes Florida to New York car shipping are some of the country's busiest and April hits.
Book Earlier Than You Think You Need To
The biggest mistake I see wait until two weeks out.
April and May are the peak season for going north.
Every carrier that runs the I-95 corridor is already loaded with traffic returning to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and the New York metro area.
If you call on a Monday and hope for a Friday pickup, you'll either pay a premium fast or be stuck for a few days while the shipper hunts for a truck.
Three to four weeks of lead time is provided flexibility in price and the actual choice of carriers.
Last minute work, but expensive.
The price is not random, it is seasonal
Values on the same route can be swing 30% between February and May.
A typical northbound runner may fetch around $900 in a quiet area and exceed $1,300 once the wave of snowbirds starts.
Here are a few things that help make the transition:
- The carrier's cargo is heading north There is less demand to go south in the spring, so trucks can charge more per destination.
- Fuel prices direct feed quotes. Diesel crosses the dollar and the entire industry changes within weeks.
- The type of car is also important. A large SUV or lifted truck takes up two spaces in the trailer, and you pay accordingly.
Find out minimum of three citationsand ignore the lower one if it is lower than the others.
That is always a dealer fishing for a deal that they will have a hard time offering to a genuine driver.
Big country brands like Road Runner often quote in the middle of the pack, which is usually a reasonable signal that the number is real.
Open vs. Featured, Be Honest About the Car
Most of the snowbirds leave open carriersnine or ten ordinary motorcycles that you see in every region.
They are perfect for the daily driver Camry, CR-V, or Lexus RX.
The car shows dust, you wash it, life goes on.
Enclosed transportation it's only worth the extra 40 to 60% if you're moving something where road grit really matters.
That means a low-end, classic Porsche, a rental car with strict return conditions, or anything with a fresh coat of paint.
In the 2019 Highlander, the enclosure is overstuffed.
Pay attention to what the car really is, not how much it costs when new.
Pickup Logistics in Gated Communities
This raises more people than it should.
Many 55+ communities and gated developments Florida will not allow an 80 foot car porter through the front gate.
The truck physically cannot turn inside out.
Arrange to meet the driver at the nearest Publix, Lowe's, or church parking lot.
Direct this when booking, not the morning of pick up.
A driver stuck circling the area for 40 minutes is a driver who will be late for his next stop and unhappy about yours.
Pre-Pickup Walkaround Matters
When the driver arrives, he will a Inspection of Bill of Lading.
That is a drawing of the car marked with everything, ding, and chip.
Go with him.
Take photos of yourself with time stamps, all four sides and wheel and bumper coverage.
This is the only documentation you will have if something goes wrong in transit, and for insurance claims without it it is almost impossible to win.
A few practical tips for picking up forgetful people:
- Go about ua A quarter tank of fuel, enough to load and unload, not enough to add weight.
- Take out an EZ-Pass or SunPass transponder, or pay a toll fee as the truck goes through the tolls.
- Disable the alarm. A car alarm going off at 2 a.m. at a truck stop in South Carolina is how drivers lose their minds.
- Personal items in the car are not technically covered with the carrier's insurance. A small bag of clothes in the trunk is usually tolerated; a car full of roofs is not.
Actual Transit Times
A truck that runs from Central Florida to the Northeast usually takes 4 to 7 days door to door.
Not 2, not the next day.
Carriers pick up and drop off other vehicles on the route, and state hours of service rules cover how long a driver can be behind the wheel.
If a salesman promises three-day delivery on a 1,200-mile run, he's either lying or he's going to subcontract the late delivery guy anyway.
Build a buffer for several days in your plans.
Don't ship the car the same week you need to go to the doctor at home.
Paying the Driver and the last Walkaround
Most carriers require the balance to be cash, cashier's check, or Zelle upon delivery, not a credit card.
Confirm payment method when booking so you don't run out of money.
When you deliver, repeat the same procedure you did in picking up the goods, compare with your photos, and only sign the Bill of Lading when you are satisfied.
Signing first and getting damage later puts you in a very weak position.
Tipping is not required, but is $40 to $100 Clean delivery, on time is standard.
It's also worth remembering the next time you need a slot in the busy season.
