Should You Ship Your Car in Winter?

Winter car shipping happens. People move. Jobs change. Holidays call. But it's not easy. Roads turn treacherous. Delays pile up. Damage risks climb. I've managed logistics at AMG Transport Co. for years. As a Texas-based auto transport broker, we handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. We see it all. Here's the straight talk on winter shipping. Read it. Decide.

Key Risks of Shipping in Winter

Snow and ice dominate. Storms shut highways. Carriers detour. What should take days stretches to weeks.

Road hazards multiply. Black ice. Slush. Potholes hidden under snow. Tires slip. Brakes fail. Accidents happen more.

Damage potential rises. Road salt corrodes paint. Freezing temps crack batteries. Fluids leak. Enclosed carriers help, but not always.

Salt spray hits open carriers hard. Rust forms fast. Undercarriages suffer. Luxury cars? Forget open transport. Use enclosed auto transport for luxury cars.

Stats back it. Insurance claims spike 20-30% in winter months. Delays average 3-5 extra days cross-country.

How Winter Delays Your Shipment

How long does car shipping take cross country? Summer: 7-14 days coast to coast. Winter: add 5-10 days. Storms in the Rockies. Blizzards in the Midwest. Carriers wait out closures.

Pickup windows stretch. Our 72-hour pickup promise holds, but weather fights it. Ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles? Plan for the worst.

Multi-car loads slow too. Families shipping SUVs and sedans face bigger backups. Shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference grows with delays.

Road Hazards: What Carriers Face

Interstates like I-80 turn deadly. Snowplows miss spots. Chains slow rigs. Fuel stops freeze.

Carriers aren't saints. They push through for pay. But safety first. Or should be. Vetted carriers like our partners at parent company AMG Endeavors prioritize it.

Non-running vehicles? Worse. Towing in snow risks flips. Prep matters.

Higher Damage Risks Explained

Cold shrinks rubber. Seals crack. Fluids gel. Engines suffer on idle hauls.

Salt and grime cake exteriors. Classic car transport enclosed carrier is a must here. Open carrier car shipping pros & cons? Pros: cheap. Cons: winter ruin.

Exotic cars? Enclosed carrier benefits for exotic cars save headaches. Luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open: no contest in snow.

Preparation Tips: Get Your Car Winter-Ready

Don't wing it. Prep right.

• Clean thoroughly. Remove salt from underbody. Wax paint.
• Check fluids. Top off antifreeze. Oil. Battery test.
• Tires at 50% tread min. No flats mid-haul.
• Remove accessories. Wipers. Antennas. Spare tire.
• Full tank. Prevents theft. Aids balance.
• VIN scan it. We do this at AMG. Proof of condition.
• Photos everywhere. Document dents. Scratches.

For non-runners: Secure battery. Drain fuel. Jack up suspension.

Enclose high-value rides. Open works for beaters.

Best Time to Book Winter Shipping

Book early. 4-6 weeks ahead. Avoid December peaks. January thaws better.

Watch forecasts. Flexible dates win.

Cross-country car transport from coast to coast? Mid-winter no-go unless urgent.

Relocating to Florida? Ship car from Texas before storms hit north.

Winter vs. Non-Winter Shipping: Quick Comparison

| Factor | Winter Shipping | Non-Winter Shipping |

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

| Avg. Transit Time | 12-21 days | 7-14 days |

| Delay Risk | High (storms, closures) | Low |

| Damage Potential| 25% higher | Baseline |

| Cost Per Mile | 10-20% more | Standard |

| Carrier Availability | Limited | Plentiful |

What affects car shipping cost per mile? Fuel. Demand. Weather. Winter jacks it up.

Why Brokers Beat Going Direct

Carriers skip people. Too many no-pays. Direct shippers charge extra.

Brokers buffer. We handle sales. Coordination. Backend grief.

People can't reach most carriers anyway. Need experience? How to choose a reliable auto transport broker: look for vetted insured carriers. Honest quotes. No hidden fees.

AMG Transport Co. fits. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. We use Stripe deposits. Secure. Transparent.

72-hour pickups. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: we guide it.

Auto transport safety record and reputation? Ours shines. Trusted car shipping broker reviews prove it.

Parent AMG Endeavors hauls. We broker smart.

Conclusion: Ship Smart with AMG

Winter shipping? Possible. Risky. Prep hard. Book wise. Or wait for spring.

Need it done right? AMG Transport Co. is your no-brainer. Stronger customer experience. Fraud shield. Fair rates.

Vetted carriers. VIN scans. Honest quotes. We've got you.

Get your free quote today. Don't delay.

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