Written by Every year, thousands of people call New York home but make the decision to relocate to the Sunshine State of Florida. Whether it’s for retirement, a new job, or just the warmer weather, one thing is always common among these relocations: what to do with the car. While driving down the 1,000-plus miles of highway is an option, it can be a difficult task to tackle when paired with a career change, home closing, or family move. The good news is that vehicle shipping is a common practice and is much easier than most new shippers realize.
Why So Many People Ship Instead of Drive
There is a very simple math equation when it comes to most shipping decisions. The drive from New York to Florida is generally between 18 and 22 hours depending on your exact origin and destination, and that doesn’t include rest stops or potential traffic delays along I-95. This is a 2-3 day drive when including time to stop and rest, and that doesn’t include gas, hotel stays, food, or the overall toll it takes on the vehicle itself.
For some people, and especially families, this can be a difficult amount of time to spend on the road when they could be flying or shipping their car and driving down to meet it. The overall cost of driving down and back can be very close to, or even more than, shipping in some cases. This makes shipping a much more appealing option, as it allows shippers to relax on the way down and makes the process much more efficient all around.
How the Process Actually Works
While there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to car shipping, the process itself is actually pretty simple to understand.
Getting a quote. Most companies will ask you for a few basic details about your vehicle and shipping needs in order to give you an accurate quote. You may be asked about the vehicle’s make, model, year, and general condition, as well as your pickup and drop-off location and desired shipping date. Pricing will vary depending on the distance, the size of the vehicle, the time of year, and whether you want open or enclosed transport.
Open vs. enclosed transport. Open carriers are much more common and are the more budget-friendly option. Enclosed transport is generally used for classic or luxury vehicles and is used to keep vehicles safe from the elements.
Scheduling pickup. After placing your order, you will have a driver contact you to schedule a pickup date and time. Door-to-door service is available in most cases, meaning the truck will come to you. However, very large trucks sometimes need to meet at a closer, more accessible location.
Inspection and paperwork. Before loading, you and the driver will complete an inspection of the vehicle and note any damages on file, so it is always a good idea to take pictures for your own records.
Transit and delivery. Depending on the time of year and distance, most car shipping New York to Florida take between 3 and 7 days. You and the driver will complete another inspection upon delivery before you sign for the vehicle and take possession.
What Affects the Price
There are a few factors that can cause the price to change, some of which you can control and others not.
Time of year. Snowbird season, which falls between October and December, and again in the spring, causes prices to rise and availability to decrease.
Size of the vehicle. Larger vehicles tend to cost more to ship than smaller ones.
Distance from major roads. The further in, or out, of the way a pickup or delivery location is for a transport truck, the more it will generally cost.
Booking in advance rather than last minute. This will open up more availability and potentially save you money.
What to Look For in a Shipping Company
Not all car shipping companies are the same, and there are a few key things to look for before booking.
- Is the company licensed with the FMCSA?
- Do they have proper cargo insurance, and will they show proof if asked?
- Are their reviews authentic, and do they have a good track record?
- Do they give you an accurate, itemized quote?
Taking the time to research these things can save you a lot of headaches in the long run, especially when it comes to something as important as your vehicle.
Making the Move a Little Easier
Making the move from one state to the other can be a difficult process and shouldn’t be made harder by the stress of figuring out how to ship your car. Knowing how these processes generally work and what to expect from them puts you in a much better position to make the best decision for your specific situation. If you’re looking for a company that specializes in this type of transport and has a lot of experience with it, East Coast Auto Haulers has a lot of knowledge when it comes to the New York to Florida route and takes pride in providing the best care possible for your vehicle, no matter the size or make.