The short answer
Retirees have the one advantage that lowers car shipping cost most: flexibility. Book three to four weeks ahead with a wide pickup window, ship two vehicles together for a 5% to 20% multi-vehicle discount, and avoid the January snowbird peak if your dates allow. Expect pickup within 1 to 7 business days of your first available date and $0 charged until the vehicle is physically collected.
- Multi-vehicle discounts: 5% to 20% for two or more cars booked together.
- January into Florida and Arizona is the tightest, most expensive window.
- A wide first-available window is worth more savings than any coupon.
- Nothing is owed at delivery; the card is charged at pickup.
A relaxed six-week plan
- Six weeks out: price the lane and book, with a four-day first-available window.
- Three weeks out: confirm the delivery address can take a transport truck, or pick a nearby lot.
- One week out: schedule your own travel to land after the earliest delivery date.
- Two days out: wash the car, photograph it, empty the cabin, quarter tank.
- Pickup: walk the inspection with the driver and keep their number.
Shipping two vehicles
Booking both cars on one order is cheaper than two separate shipments and simpler to track: one carrier, one pickup, one delivery, one invoice. Discounts scale with the number of vehicles, and both cars are covered by the same verified carrier insurance.
Snowbird timing
- Southbound: book by early December for a January departure.
- Northbound: book the spring return at the same time you book the trip down.
- Shoulder weeks — early December, late April — price noticeably better.
What you will actually experience
You get a text and email at every milestone, a live tracking page, the driver's direct phone number, and a person to call who knows your order. There is no deposit, no payment to the driver, and nothing due at delivery. If a date needs to move, one phone call handles it.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to ship two cars?
- Less per vehicle than shipping them separately — multi-vehicle discounts run 5% to 20% depending on how many you move together and the lane.
- Do I have to be there for pickup and delivery?
- You or another adult you designate must be present at both ends to walk the inspection and sign the Bill of Lading.
- When is the best time to ship to Florida?
- Early December or late in the season. January is the peak snowbird window, when capacity is tightest and prices are highest.