How does the time of year affect car shipping prices?

Auto transport pricing follows predictable seasonal patterns tied to supply and demand. Summer (June through August) is peak season — families relocate, college students move, and overall shipping volume surges, pushing prices 15-25% above winter baselines. The snowbird season creates its own micro-peaks: October and November see price spikes on routes heading south (Northeast to Florida, Midwest to Arizona), and March and April see the reverse as snowbirds head back north.

January and early February are consistently the cheapest months to ship a car. Demand drops significantly after the holidays, carriers have more availability, and pricing becomes more competitive. Mid-week pickups (Tuesday through Thursday) also tend to be slightly cheaper than Monday or Friday pickups because most customers request weekend-adjacent dates. If you have any flexibility at all on timing, shipping in the off-season or mid-week can save you 10-20% on the same route.

Holiday periods — Thanksgiving week, Christmas through New Year, and the Fourth of July — also create temporary price increases because many drivers take time off, reducing carrier availability. If your move coincides with a major holiday, book well in advance (2-3 weeks minimum) to lock in better pricing and ensure pickup availability. Our published estimate formula applies a season-and-direction factor for every month, and the companies price these patterns into their offers.