Winter vs. Summer | Rapid Auto Shipping

Here is a table comparing the cost of shipping a car in winter versus summer:

Cost Factor	Winter	Summer
Average base transport cost for sedan	$850	$1,100
Additional winterization/preparation costs	$150	$50
Enclosed shipping upcharge	$200	$200
Enclosed shipping upcharge	$200	$200
Additional insurance fees	$100	$100
Total Estimated Cost	$1,300	$1,450
Potential unforeseen costs due to weather delays/damages	High	Low

How To Ship Car During Winter?

Winter presents specific problems for auto transport companies. Heavy snowstorms, for example, can be a concern for the best car shipping company. In Winter auto shipping, your vehicle requires much more protection and care. The demand for car shipping during winter decreases because of the snowy and foggy roads. If you plan to transport your car in winter, look for an experienced and professional winter auto transporter. They will transport your car safely and have a special enclosed carrier to protect your car from the harsh winter. You must hire an expert car shipping company and car transport to ship your car safely to your destination.

How To Prepare Your Car During Winter?

Before transporting your car, you must prepare it for winter auto shipping. You should prioritize a thorough cleaning, consider enclosed transport for protection, and ensure the vehicle is properly equipped for winter conditions if traveling during winter months. We have shared a few essential points to help you prepare your vehicle for transportation.

Thoroughly clean the car: The car should be cleaned thoroughly so that any pre-existing damage can be spotted, which benefits both you and the shipping company.

Choosing the correct method of transport: Opt for enclosed transport for optimal protection from the elements and potential damage. If choosing open transport, consider top-load service for added protection from harsh winter.

Make your car winter-ready or winterize it: When you are shipping your car during winter months to a colder destination, make sure the vehicle is winterized with

Winter tires: Install appropriate winter tires for traction in snow and ice.
Antifreeze: Check and top off the antifreeze to prevent freezing in the cooling system.
Other Winter Equipment: Consider adding snow tires, windshield wipers with snow protection, and a car snow cover for protection during transit.

Additionally, have adequate insurance coverage for the shipping duration and keep documents like the car's title and registrations readily available. Contact the auto shipping company with any questions or concerns before and during the shipping process.

How To Prepare Your Car During Summer?

Like winter, your car must be ready for the summer season. Ensure it is ready to be driven in summer by properly tuning it. Check the tires' air pressure and ensure they’re correctly inflated. Also, check if the thermostat is bad, and ensure you have plenty of fluids in the car. Add brake fluid and stock up on windshield washer fluid and engine coolant. We have shared a few essential points to help you prepare your vehicle for transportation.

Wash and clean your car properly: Thoroughly clean and remove all your personal belongings and documents from inside the car.

Check whether you have closed all the car windows and the wipers are working.
Inspect and examine your car safely.
Take the photos of your car before loading.

Cooling system maintenance: Regular checks on the amount of water in your radiator and the coolant will ensure that your car does not overheat while in transit during hot weather.

Tire pressure: It should be noted that high temperatures cause tire pressure to rise, and this leads to overinflation. Adjust the PSI to match the temperature conditions at your destination.

Interior protection: High temperatures should also be considered because they harm the car's interior. If your vehicle is left in a sunny area, it is advisable to heat carrier-sensitive items and use car shades.]

Cost Of Car Transportation During Winter And Summer:

The car shipping cost depends on the vehicle you are transporting and your chosen carrier. The cost of car shipping is also affected by the season, as in summer, the price of car shipping increases because most people prefer summer for car shipment, because, in summer, roads are clear and have much demand for car shipping, so the prices in this summer season will be high. When we talk about the winter season, there is less demand for car shipping. The prices are low because, here in the winter season, the roads are not visible properly due to the fog and storms, so people do not prefer to transport their car during this season, and the cost of car shipping will drop. In winter, the demand for car shipping will be less, which will automatically affect the cost of shipping. Before you choose the quote and the car shipping company, it is essential to understand everything about car shipping. Contrary to the belief, car transport prices increase due to winter conditions like snow and ice in specific areas like the Midwest and Northeast. This can cause significant delays, potentially raising shipping costs and extending transit times. Carriers may also charge more to navigate hazardous routes. While winter may be a slower period for most of the country, warmer regions like Florida and Texas may see a surge in demand during the winter, especially as "snowbirds" relocate temporarily.

Enclosed auto shipping

How To Choose The Right Car Transport?

Whether you are moving your car during the winter or in summer, it is most important to choose the right car transport type for your car, ensuring the safety of your car. Here, we have shared most of the used car transport options. Let us discuss these shipping options elaborately.

Open car Transport

In an open car transport, your vehicle will be shipped in an open trailer, exposing it to external elements. Though it is a safe option, there is a risk of damage. It is the best for those who want to ship more than two to three vehicles. It is a cost-effective car shipping carrier and ideal for summer car shipping and standard daily-use vehicles. If you are transporting your car during winter, avoid open car transport if you want to transport your vehicle safely.

Enclosed Car Transport

In enclosed car transport, your car will be loaded in a closed, long container, providing extra protection and safety for your vehicle. It is the ideal option for those transporting their car during winter and shipping their exotic and luxury car. It is a more expensive car shipping option compared to open car transport.

Comparing open and enclosed transport for summer and winter

Cost: Open transport is generally cheaper, especially during summer, while enclosed transport is more expensive but offers better protection during both summer and winter.

Weather: Open transport is more vulnerable to weather, while enclosed transport provides better protection from harsh weather conditions.

Transit Time: Summer shipping tends to be faster for open transport, while winter can cause delays for both open and enclosed transport.

Vehicle Type: Enclosed transport is often preferred for vintage or high-value vehicles to protect them from weather damage. However, open transport is more suitable for ordinary cars.

In summary, if you're looking to save money and your vehicle is not particularly sensitive to weather, open transport is a good option, especially during summer. If you need the best protection from weather and are willing to pay more, enclosed transport is a better choice, particularly during winter.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

Door-to-door car shipping is the easiest, most convenient, and best for winter and summer car shipping. Your vehicle will be loaded from your doorstep, and it will be delivered to your given address. You need not make an extra effort. It is an expensive car shipping option.

Terminal to Terminal Car Shipping

In this shipping option, you have to leave your car at the terminal point, and from there, our driver will load and transport your car to the given address and unload it at the designated terminal point. From there, you can collect your car. It is a cost-effective car shipping option

Estimated transit time for different distances in summer and winter

Summer transit time can be faster and predictable, but winter can introduce delays due to weather. Summer weather tends to be more stable, allowing for more consistent shipping schedules. However, winter conditions, especially in the North, can lead to road closures, icy conditions, and other disruptions that affect delivery times, potentially adding several weeks to a typical transit time. In summer, transit time is affected mainly by high demand for transportation, which can cause a delay of a few days, mainly due to carrier availability problems. Average transit times in summer for a cross-country shipment can be 7-10 days, but in winter, it is estimated to be around 10- 14 days, which can stretch significantly up to 4-6 weeks due to snow, icy roads, and storms. Shorter routes of up to 500 miles can witness a delay of about 4-6 days over the normal shipping time of 3-4 days. However, the transit time for a shipment of 500-1000 miles, which is around 5-6 days in summer, can take up to 2 weeks to deliver in winter.

Difference between summer And Winter Car Shipping:

Summer Car Shipping	Winter Car Shipping
High Car Shipping Demand	Demands are less
High Price Rate	Low Price Rate
Good And Clear Weather Condition	Harsh weather Condition
Fast Delivery	Delivery May Delay
Fast Delivery	Delivery May Delay
Fast Delivery	Delivery May Delay Due To Seasonal Changes
Less Availability Of Carrier	Carriers Are Easily Available

Pros And Cons Of Summer Car Shipping:

In each shipping season, there will be an advantage and a disadvantage. We have shared some of the pros and cons of summer car shipping. You can choose the best season for your car shipping per your budget and vehicle safety.

Pros-	Cons-
If you are transporting your car during the summer, there will be no delay in your delivery, and you will get your car on time.	It is expensive.
Safety is the first option for your car to be transported safely.	There will be much demand for car shipping. So you may not get the carrier you require.

Pros And Cons Of Winter Car Shipping:

Pros-	Cons-
It is an affordable car shipping option.	Demands are less, and you will get the trailer as per your vehicle.
Delay in delivery.	Risk of damage or any machinery defects if you are transporting your vehicle in an open trailer.

Fall car shipping

During the fall season, the demand for car shipping starts to go down as it is the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year. This is also when most snowbirds start settling down in their winter homes before the start of winter. The shipping costs are lower and more flexible. However, fall and winter may come with harsh weather conditions that require extra attention. Shipping a vehicle in the fall can often be more affordable than in the spring because there is less demand for movers. The car shipping prices are competitive, and carriers may be more flexible in scheduling shipments. Transit time may be affected by the cold weather, as the carriers take extra precautions when driving to avoid fatalities. During fall shipments and vehicle preparation, checking the vehicle’s battery and fluid levels before shipping it in cold weather is recommended to avoid the issue of dead batteries.

Spring car shipping

Spring is a popular time for auto transportation, offering moderate demand and generally favorable weather for shipping. May is the national moving month, and it is also when snowbirds start to move to their winter homes. The demand for vehicle transportation is very high, and booking for shipping is tough. The shipping costs are also high due to excessive demand. Things move more smoothly in the auto transport industry in the warmer months. That’s because carriers have less harsh, unpredictable weather conditions in most locations, so there are fewer delays. Vehicle preparation remains normal, but it is advised to book early to avoid missing the schedule.

Snowbirds auto transportation

Auto transportation for snowbirds refers to transportation for individuals, often retirees, who travel seasonally to warmer climates, typically during winter. It is an alternative to driving long distances and offers convenience, cost-saving, and reduced vehicle wear and tear. Snowbirds often travel from their northern homes to warmer southern climates during winter to avoid the harsh winter weather. If they start this movement from the fall season, they can take advantage of the lean period in the auto shipping industry from September to March to move their cars at cheaper rates. After the end of winter, when these snowbirds head to their northern homes, they should do so early and book in advance to avoid the rush during the spring and summer. They can book in early April, the beginning of spring, when the car shipping demand starts picking up. Snowbirds, therefore, can utilise the early fall and spring season to save on their transportation costs and also prevent their car from moving during harsh weather and high summer demands.

Which One Is The Best Season For Car Shipping?

If you are transporting your car, summer is the best season for car transportation or any other vehicles because drivers need not make an extra effort in this season; roads are clear, and cars will be shipped on time. If money is your concern and you want to save money, then you can transport your car during the winter season because in this season, demand is less. There will be competition among the car shipping companies, so there will be a fall in price, but there may be a delay in your car shipping. If you are transporting your classic or luxury car or vehicles during the winter season, choose the enclosed car transport for your car and vehicle's safety.

What Is The Process Of Car Transportation?

Booking for car shipping is not as easy as it seems; before you book your shipment, you have to be aware of the car shipping process and know how to book the shipment. Rapid auto shipping has made the car shipping process as easy as 1, 2, and 3 counts.

Give us the details about your shipping, like date and time, and the carrier type you want. You will get an instant car shipping quote.

Our driver will come on the date of shipment, and he will pick up and deliver your car safely to you.

How Do You Find a Reliable Car Shipping Company?

The first and foremost thing is that you must hire a reliable and reputable car shipping company. Here, we have shared five points that will help you find a reliable car shipping company for your car. After all, your vehicle is not just a vehicle.

Check for their registration number and the DOT number, and ensure whether they are experienced or not.

Check for their car transport options, car shipping service, and customer reviews.

Check for the address, verify it if possible, and visit their company.

Check and verify their payment options, and do not make any advance deposits.

Read the cancellation policy and the contract carefully before you sign.

Risks and Mitigation during summer and winter transport

Transporting vehicles during summer and winter can be harsh on them, as the weather is not too friendly. In summer, the car goes through a lot of dust and debris. It also has to withstand excessive heat, which may not be good cosmetically. A harsh winter is equally bad for car transportation, which might see ice and salt deposited after a long shipping journey.

This can be avoided by choosing a suitable and reputable car shipping company, like Rapid Auto Shipping, that offers the best advice on the shipping process, which can protect your car during shipment. Customers should also choose enclosed transportation to prevent high-value and classic vehicles from extreme weather. We also offer post-transport wash reimbursement to help your car get back its beauty. And we sincerely advise you to thoroughly inspect your car at pick-up and delivery, so that any damage-related issues can be addressed quickly.

Conclusion:

Car shipping is not just the transportation of your vehicle. It requires much preparation and safety. Both seasons are suitable for the transportation of cars, but if you want to transport your car on time, then it is best to transport it in the summer season because in winter, your car delivery may get delayed due to snow and fog. Winter car shipping is an affordable option, but you must consider your car's safety first.