Yes, you can ship a car safely in winter, and it is often cheaper and faster to book outside the busy snowbird routes. The main trade-offs are possible weather delays of a day or two, road salt and grime on open carriers, and a few extra prep steps like checking antifreeze, battery and tires. Plan a small time buffer, prep the car for cold, and consider enclosed transport if your car is valuable or headed through snow country.
Key takeaways
- Winter is usually a slower season for car shipping, so many routes have more open trucks and lower prices.
- The big exception is snowbird traffic: north-to-south routes get busy from about October to January, and south-to-north routes in spring.
- Storms can add 1–3 days, especially through the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Great Lakes and Northeast.
- Open carriers expose cars to road salt and slush; enclosed transport avoids it.
- Prep for cold: check antifreeze, battery, tires and wiper fluid, and keep EVs at a sensible charge.
Is winter a good time to ship a car?
For most routes, winter is a good time to ship. Summer is the peak moving season, when families relocate between school years and demand for trucks is high. Once the holidays arrive, fewer people move, and carriers often have open spots on their trailers. That can mean shorter pickup windows and better prices.
The catch is weather. A car carrier is a big, heavy truck that has to obey chain laws and road closures like everyone else. If a pass closes in Colorado or a lake-effect storm hits Buffalo, your car will wait it out. Those delays are usually short, but you should plan for them.
When winter prices go up
Winter is not cheaper everywhere. Routes from the Northeast and Midwest down to Florida, Arizona, Texas and Southern California get very busy in the fall as retirees and seasonal residents head south. Then, from about March to May, the flow reverses. If your route matches that flow, book early. Our snowbird car shipping page covers those routes in detail.
The weeks around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's can also be tricky. Some drivers take time off, so fewer trucks run, and pickup windows may stretch.
Winter car shipping costs at a glance
Prices depend on distance, vehicle size, route demand and transport type. These ranges are typical, but your quote can be higher or lower.
| Shipment type | Typical winter price range | What affects it most |
|---|---|---|
| Open carrier, regular route | $500–$1,900 | Distance and vehicle size |
| Open carrier, snowbird route in peak weeks | Toward the upper end of the open range | High demand heading south (fall) or north (spring) |
| Enclosed carrier | $800–$2,900 | Distance, vehicle value, fewer trucks available |
| Expedited or guaranteed date | Added cost on top of base price | How tight your window is |
For a quick number on your route, try the car shipping cost calculator. CTS also offers a Best Price Guarantee, so if you get a lower written quote, we will match or beat it.
How winter weather affects transit times
Normal transit times are about 1–3 days for trips under 500 miles and 7–10 days coast to coast. In winter, add a small buffer. Here is what can slow things down.
Mountain passes and chain laws
Routes over the Rockies (like I-70 in Colorado and I-80 in Wyoming) and the Sierra Nevada (I-80 over Donner Pass) can close during storms. Many western states require trucks to carry or use chains when conditions are bad. Drivers may wait for roads to reopen or reroute south on I-10 or I-40, which can add miles.
Lake-effect snow and northern storms
Cities near the Great Lakes, like Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie and Chicago, can get heavy snow in short bursts. Nor'easters can slow traffic up and down I-95 from Washington, D.C., to Boston. These events often last a day or two.
Ice in the South
Ice storms are less common in the South, but when they hit Texas, Oklahoma or the Southeast, roads may not be treated as quickly. A light ice storm in Dallas can stop traffic as surely as a blizzard in Denver.
Short days
Fewer daylight hours can make loading, inspections and residential deliveries slower. Some drivers prefer not to do detailed inspections in the dark, so pickups may be scheduled earlier in the day.
If your car is crossing the whole country, see cross-country car shipping for route and timing details.
Open vs. enclosed transport in winter
This is the biggest decision for winter shipping. Both are safe, but they protect your car differently.
Open transport
Open car shipping is the most common and affordable choice. Your car rides on an open trailer and is exposed to weather, the same way it would be if you drove it. In winter, that means road salt, slush, sand and grime. For a daily driver, this is usually fine. Plan to wash the car, including the underside, soon after delivery.
Enclosed transport
Enclosed car shipping keeps your car inside a covered trailer, away from salt spray, snow and road debris. It costs more, but it is the better pick for:
- Classic cars, especially those with original paint or chrome.
- Exotic and luxury cars with expensive finishes or low ground clearance.
- Newly restored or freshly painted vehicles.
- Convertibles with soft tops you want to protect.
- Any car traveling a long route through northern states.
If you are shipping a supercar or collector car, see our luxury and exotic car shipping and classic car shipping pages.
How to prepare your car for winter shipping
Winter prep is mostly about making sure the car starts, rolls and stops when the driver needs it to, even after sitting in the cold. Use this checklist alongside our standard vehicle shipping checklist.
- Check the antifreeze. Make sure coolant is filled and rated for the coldest temperatures on the route.
- Test the battery. Cold weakens batteries. If yours is more than a few years old or slow to crank, have it tested. A car that will not start at delivery is a headache for everyone.
- Check tire pressure. Tire pressure drops in cold weather. Fill tires to the recommended level so the car rolls safely on and off the trailer.
- Top off washer fluid with a winter blend. Summer fluid can freeze and crack lines.
- Leave about a quarter tank of gas. That is enough to load and unload without adding much weight.
- Wash the car and take photos. Winter grime hides scratches. A clean car makes the pickup inspection accurate. Take date-stamped photos of every side.
- Remove loose items and snow gear. Take out ice scrapers, shovels, chains and personal items. Remove roof boxes and ski racks if you can.
- Fix leaks. Carriers may refuse cars that leak fluids, since leaks can drip on vehicles below.
- Disable alarms. A car alarm set off by cold or vibration can drain the battery.
- Give the driver a working key and any special instructions. If the car has quirks in the cold, write them down.
Shipping an electric vehicle in winter
EVs can lose noticeable range in cold weather, and the battery can drain slowly while the car sits. That matters, because the driver needs enough charge to drive the car on and off the trailer.
- Charge to a moderate level before pickup. Many carriers ask for somewhere around 30–50%. Do not ship it nearly empty.
- Turn off features that keep the car awake, like camera-based security modes and cabin preconditioning.
- Leave a physical key or key card with the driver, since phone keys will not work for them.
- Tell your coordinator about any tow or transport mode the car has.
Our electric vehicle shipping page goes deeper on EV prep.
Pickup and delivery tips for snow and ice
Car carriers are long and heavy. In winter, they need even more room and a safe surface.
- Clear the path. Shovel and salt the driveway or area where the car will be loaded.
- Offer a big, flat lot. If your street is steep, narrow or unplowed, suggest meeting at a nearby store or school parking lot.
- Brush off snow before inspection. The driver cannot note damage they cannot see.
- Be flexible by a few hours. If roads are bad, the driver may arrive later than planned. Stay reachable.
- Inspect carefully at delivery. If the car is dirty from road spray, look closely or ask to move to a lit area. Note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign.
Most customers choose door-to-door car shipping, which means the driver gets as close to your address as is safe and legal. In heavy snow, "as close as safe" may be the end of your street.
Plan around the holidays
If you need your car delivered by a specific date in late December, book early and plan a few extra days of cushion. Carrier schedules thin out around Christmas and New Year's, and a single storm during that week can push deliveries back. If the date is firm, ask about the guaranteed delivery date option when you book.
Is your car covered if weather causes damage?
Licensed carriers must carry cargo insurance. Coverage terms vary by carrier, so ask what is covered and what is excluded before you book. CTS works with a network of more than 100,000 licensed and insured carriers, and coverage up to $2M is available for high-value vehicles. Your own auto policy may also offer some protection, so check with your insurer.
Keep in mind that road salt and normal road dirt on an open carrier are not usually considered damage. Chips from road debris or hail are a different story, which is why the pickup and delivery inspections matter so much.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to ship a car in winter?
On many routes, yes. Demand tends to drop after the fall moving season, so carriers may have open spots. Snowbird routes heading south in the fall and north in the spring are the main exceptions.
Will snow delay my car shipment?
It can. Most weather delays are 1–3 days, usually caused by pass closures or major storms. Your driver will wait for safe conditions rather than take risks with your car.
Should I choose enclosed shipping in winter?
If your car is a classic, exotic, newly painted or otherwise valuable, enclosed transport is a smart choice in winter because it keeps salt and slush off the car. For most daily drivers, open transport works fine, followed by a good wash.
Can I ship my car with snow tires on?
Yes. The car can ship with whatever tires are mounted. Do not pack a spare set of tires inside the car, though, since personal items and loose parts are generally not allowed.
What if my car won't start when the driver arrives?
Let your coordinator know as soon as possible. Inoperable cars need a truck with a winch, which can change the schedule and price. Testing the battery before pickup is the easiest way to avoid this.
Planning a winter move or a snowbird trip? Get a free quote with $0 deposit and 24/7 in-transit updates, and we will help you pick the right transport type for the season.
Updated November 4, 2026