A vehicle shipping service is very important in the lives of many people and businesses, be it for relocating because of a job, buying a car from another state, or shipping a vehicle to a certain location seasonally. That said, car shipping services are usually in demand during certain periods of the year due to various seasonal advertising strategies. Having knowledge of these trends can support you in planning better when it comes to transporting your vehicle, making it easier, cheaper, and faster. In this article, we will talk about the most important seasonal trends in car shipping and how they influence your choice of car shipping companies.
1. Winter Season: Peak Shipping Demand with Weather Obstacles
The winter season is always a complex period of time for shipping a car. Severe weather conditions, including snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures, often cause delays and typically make driving dangerous. Accordingly, car transportation services tend to have an increased number of orders during the winter months, especially from areas of the country considered cold, where people are traveling to warmer destinations. Snowbirds looking to escape the cold typically go to Florida, Arizona, and California, which are some of the popular destinations.
It can be quite a challenge for shipping companies to operate during winter due to weather-related issues. Winter operations for many shipping companies are difficult due to severe weather conditions, which may cause some delays. Carriers may find it difficult to operate on their defined routes due to snowstorms, icy roads, and frozen roads. On occasion, certain routes may be closed temporarily, thus forcing a detour.
To combat the challenges presented above, car shipping companies use weather-resistant materials, such as heated trailers for enclosed transport and tarps, to guard vehicles from snow and ice damage.
Best practices for vehicle transport in winter include optimizing routes and lanes and using enclosed transport for valuable vehicles.
If you’re trying to move my car during winter, consider planning far in advance. Booking early is advisable and can mitigate the headache that comes from high shipping demand during winter.
For transporting high-value or classic cars, enclosed transport is recommended to protect the vehicle from extreme winter conditions.
2. Spring season: Spike in Relocation and Vehicle Purchase Demand
With the seasonal change, more people become active and begin relocating or purchasing vehicles, which marks the spring. The spring season is the start of the car shipping companies’ busy season due to the onset of better weather. As the temperatures rise, there is a notable increase in shipping requests, particularly from people relocating for work, educational purposes, or family reasons.
Along with these factors, spring marks the period when a large percentage of customers buy new or second-hand vehicles. This season also allows auto dealers to receive their stock, so that there may be an increased flow of cars to dealer stores around the country.
Why Spring Is Popular for Shipping
These periods also observe families that need to relocate, especially after the long winter.
Spring and summer are times when clients buy cars, therefore creating a greater need for shipping facilities.
At the same time, families and people who have stopped working are much more prone to travel in spring, mainly to the regions further south.
Tips for Shipping During Spring
In case you have plans of taking my vehicle during this time, keep in mind that due to demand, strike my orders quickly.
One of the best periods in the year for outside vehicle transport is spring, when the climate is more or less cool and there are fewer chances for rain or storms.
3. Summer: The Best Period of Car Delivery
If there is a single season with plenty of car delivery requests, it is summer, when people need to transport cars for personal and business purposes. Be it families going on holidays or people shifting jobs, schools, or even businesses transporting fleet vehicles, shipments increase manifold in summer.
Car shipping companies have an easier time transporting cars during the summer months because of the warmer weather and increased daylight. People during the summer also transport cars to secondary homes and vacation houses.
Why Summer is a Peak Season
Summer is a popular time for families to relocate due to family or personal obligations.
Much like the winter holidays, summer is also a great time for vacations, and cars are shipped to popular vacation destinations such as beach towns or mountain resorts.
Compared to other seasons, the summer months are the best for open transport due to favorable weather.
Challenges of Summer Shipping
During the peak summer season, the demand for car shipping increases, leading to higher prices. The availability of carriers may be limited, so preemptive booking becomes essential.
Special attention must be taken during the summer months when shipping certain vehicles, like luxury cars or other temperature-sensitive vehicles. Using enclosed transport can help mitigate the risks posed by excessive heat.
Tips for Shipping During Summer
To combat the rush and secure the best cost and availability, book as early as possible.
For vintage or valuable cars, consider using enclosed transport to shield them from the sun’s heat and protect them during transit.
4. Autumn – Off-Peak with Cheaper Rates
Car shipping tends to slow down in early September. There is a lull in demand for vehicle transport after the summer rush, which may result in lower prices as well as more availability from car shipping companies.
Many people take advantage of the cooler temperature to ship cars without the summer price surge. Additionally, many people relocate for work or school around this time before winter sets in. It’s also a time when people often ship cars for seasonal use, such as relocating vehicles to warmer climates before the heavy snowfall.
What Makes Autumn Ideal
Car shipping is made easier because there are fewer customers moving or traveling.
- Traffic for car shipping is lower, so there’s less competition for pricing.
- Auto transport weather should be mild, and fall is usually excellent for that.
- You can avoid overspending during peak seasons like summer and winter.
Advice for Using Auto Transport in the Fall
- If you are trying to ship my car in the Autumn, it’s a good time to finalize a deal at the right price.
- The fall season is the ideal time to get a plan in place if you are shipping a vehicle to a warmer location for winter.
5. The Holiday Season: Increased Suspended Activity and Potential Volume Strain
As is the case with many transport-related issues, the most challenging times are around the holidays, especially the period immediately surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. While the number of people traveling isn’t as common during this time, the amount of shipments is known to rise significantly as people request cars to head home or as gifts.
Car shipping companies also face problems during this period because of weather-related issues and potential holiday shipping delays. These same companies struggle to meet the demands due to the extreme weather conditions that occur during the holiday season.
What Makes the Holiday Season Challenging
- Holidays are regarded as the busiest period in terms of demand, especially for transport; it creates severe delays in long-distance shipments.
- Potential for slow-moving winter weather, especially around the holidays, could create highly unpredictable delays in travel and exacerbate the pre-programmed gaps.
- Closures during the holidays and limited access to the required number of available operators dramatically slow the transport.
Strategically Moving My Car During the Holiday
- To ensure your vehicle during the holiday period, take all necessary steps to book vehicles in advance, as it helps avoid increased prices.
- Make provisions for potential delays related to inclement weather, particularly if shipping to or from the north.
Conclusion
The auto transport industry is impacted by a number of seasonal factors, and knowing these trends can make your shipment planning easier. If you are planning to transport your car during the summer peak, or want to ship in the cheaper fall off-peak season, timing is crucial in delivering the vehicle on time and minimizing costs. Anticipating each season’s unique offerings allows you to take advantage of the best car shipping services available.
