Should You Ship Your Car in Winter or Wait for Spring?

Look. Shipping a car ain't easy any time of year. Winter brings snow and ice. Spring ramps up demand. You need facts to decide. We'll break down costs, risks, delays, and carrier availability. No fluff. Just straight talk from a logistics manager who's seen it all.

Winter Car Shipping: The Harsh Reality

Winter hits hard. Roads turn slick. Carriers slow down. Expect delays. Snowstorms shut highways. In the North, it's worse. Even Texas to California runs face rain and fog.

Costs: Often lower. Demand drops. Brokers like us lock in rates 10-20% below peak. Open car carrier transport costs dip. But add fees for weather reroutes. Not always a steal.

Risks: High. Ice causes slides. Salt corrodes paint. Non-running vehicles? Trickier. We vet carriers with full insurance. Still, Mother Nature wins sometimes.

Delays: Two weeks become three. Pickup windows stretch past 72 hours. Carriers avoid bad routes.

Availability: Slim. Drivers stay home. Vetted insured carriers book fast.

Pros:

• Cheaper base rates.
• Less traffic on roads.

Cons:

• Weather damage risk.
• Longer waits.

Spring Car Shipping: Smoother, But Pricey

Spring thaws things out. Roads clear. Demand surges. Snowbirds head south. Relocating families move.

Costs: Higher. 15-30% more than winter. Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door jumps. SUV vs sedan? Difference grows. Cross-country from Houston to Los Angeles? Plan for peaks.

Risks: Low. Dry roads. Less salt. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars shines here. Classic cars stay pristine.

Delays: Minimal. 72-hour pickup standard. Routes like Texas to Florida flow smooth.

Availability: Good. More carriers roll. But book early. Slots fill.

Pros:

• Faster delivery.
• Safer hauls.
• Reliable timing.

Cons:

• Premium prices.
• Crowded lanes.

Quick Comparison Table

| Factor | Winter | Spring |

|-----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|

| Cost | Lower (10-20% off) | Higher (15-30% up) |

| Risks | High (weather damage) | Low (clear roads) |

| Delays | 1-3 extra weeks | On schedule |

| Availability| Limited carriers | Plentiful options |

Data based on 2023 routes. Texas-based brokers see steady patterns.

What Affects Your Choice?

Route Matters. Coast to coast? Winter northern legs crawl. Texas to California? Manageable year-round.

Vehicle Type. Luxury? Go enclosed in spring. Open carrier pros and cons tilt winter cheap but risky.

Timing Needs. Moving now? Ship winter. Save bucks. Brace for delays. Patient? Spring wins. Safer. Faster.

Broker Edge. Carriers hate winter headaches. They stick to trucks and roads. Brokers handle sales, coords, problems. We do VIN scans pre-load. Stripe deposits secure spots. Honest quotes, no hidden fees.

People skip brokers thinking direct saves cash. Wrong. Carriers charge more to randos. Won't touch most folks without broker buffer. Fraud everywhere. We guide you.

Auto Transport Pricing Breakdown

What drives costs? Miles first. Then season. Fuel. Demand. Winter dips fuel use but spikes detours. Spring evens out.

How much to ship cross country? $1,000-$2,000 open. Add $500 enclosed. Multi-car discounts help families.

Compare quotes smart. Check safety records. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide like us delivers.

Real Talk: When to Book

Urgent? Ship winter. Save bucks. Brace for delays. Patient? Spring wins. Safer. Faster.

No perfect time. Roads stay dangerous. Carriers grind. That's why AMG Transport Co exists. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We know both sides.

We buffer you. Vetted insured carriers only. 72-hour pickup windows. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: We coord, they drive.

Trusted car shipping broker reviews back us. Experienced broker you can trust.

Conclusion: Ship Smart with AMG

Winter or spring, pick based on needs. Costs lower now. Risks higher. Spring smoother, pricier. Either way, don't go alone.

AMG Transport Co is your no-brainer. Stronger customer experience. Fraud shield. Reasonable rates. We handle what carriers dodge.

Get your honest quote today. Let's move your car right.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.