As the holiday season approaches, Americans navigate the busy landscape of holiday vehicle shipping. Whether you're a snowbird heading south for winter, a family relocating for the holidays, a college student shipping your car home for Christmas break, or sending a vehicle to a loved one for the holidays, this season brings unique challenges to car shipping. In this guide, we'll walk you through the challenges, costs, preparation steps, and best practices of Christmas car shipping, so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating with loved ones.
Why Consider Shipping Your Car During Christmas
With millions of Americans traveling during the holiday season to popular destinations like Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles, and Tampa, driving isn’t always the most practical option. Here are the most common reasons people choose holiday vehicle transport:
Safety first. Winter weather creates some of the most dangerous driving conditions of the year. Snow, ice, black ice, and freezing temperatures can turn a routine drive into a hazardous journey. By shipping your car, you avoid these risks entirely while your vehicle is transported safely by an experienced company like BAH Logistics.
Convenience and time savings. Holiday road trips can be exhausting, especially when covering hundreds or thousands of miles. Long hours behind the wheel, frequent stops for gas and rest, and navigating unfamiliar routes take away from valuable time you could spend with family and friends. Christmas car shipping allows you to fly to your destination and arrive refreshed, with your vehicle ready and waiting.
Seasonal needs. During the holidays, winter car shipping is especially useful for snowbirds heading south, college students needing their cars home for winter break, families relocating for new jobs, and gift-givers sending a vehicle for Christmas. Shipping ensures vehicles arrive safely without the stress of long winter drives.
Challenges of Christmas Car Shipping
Shipping a car during the Christmas season comes with several unique challenges. Understanding these helps you prepare and set realistic expectations for your shipment.
High Demand and Limited Carrier Availability: Christmas is the busiest shipping season, with bookings peaking as customers prepare for the holidays. As demand rises, there may not be enough carriers available, leading to longer wait times for pickups and deliveries.
Weather Delays: Winter weather can significantly disrupt car shipping. Snowstorms, icy roads, and flooding can close major routes and delay deliveries. States such as Alaska, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Michigan, and Colorado often experience the harshest winter conditions, affecting transport schedules.
Holiday Operational Pauses: Carriers may limit their hours or close entirely on Christmas and New Year’s Day. This reduces available service days and can extend delivery schedules.
Increased Prices: Higher fuel and labor costs, combined with the holiday surge in demand, often result in temporary surcharges or “peak season pricing.” These costs directly affect customers, making holiday car shipping more expensive than during other times of the year.
How to Handle Shipping During the Holidays?
Shipping delays during the Christmas season are often unavoidable, but customers can take steps to minimize their impact. Here’s how to navigate holiday car shipping effectively:
Plan Early. Timing is critical during the holiday rush. The closer we get to Christmas, the higher the volume of shipments, increasing the risk of delays. Plan at least three weeks to secure carrier availability and ensure timely delivery.
Book Flexible Dates. While early planning is essential, flexibility can make a big difference. Being open to pickup or delivery dates outside of peak holiday days can help avoid congestion and reduce stress.
Consider All Costs. Several factors influence holiday shipping costs: distance, transport type (open vs. enclosed), vehicle size, and winter weather conditions. Car shipping demand typically increases by around 20% during the holiday season, which can affect prices. Early scheduling can save you 15-30% compared to last-minute holiday bookings.
Prepare Your Vehicle for Christmas Shipping
Shipping your car during the holiday season requires careful preparation. The winter months bring unique challenges, so follow these steps for a safe and smooth transport:
Wash Your Car Thoroughly: Washing your car allows both you and the carrier to clearly see its condition, making it easier to inspect for any existing damage. Winter road salt and grime can obscure scratches or dents, so a thorough cleaning is important during the holiday season.
Remove Personal Items: Personal belongings and valuables are not the carrier's responsibility. Removing them ensures that you won't risk losing items for which the shipping company is not liable. Don't leave holiday gifts, winter gear, or seasonal decorations in your vehicle.
Take Pictures of Your Car: Photographing your car before shipping serves as proof of its condition. These photos provide documentation of any pre-existing damage, helping protect you during the shipping process. Date-stamp your photos and document any existing scratches.
Inspect All Major Fluid Levels: Winter temperatures can affect fluid performance and cause mechanical issues. Make sure your antifreeze, oil, and windshield washer fluids are topped off to maintain vehicle health during transport. Use winter-grade windshield washer fluid that won't freeze in cold temperatures.
Keep Fuel at an Appropriate Level: You don't need a full tank for shipping, but avoid leaving it empty. It is recommended to leave the tank about one-quarter full. This provides enough fuel for loading and unloading while meeting safety requirements.
Inspect Tires: Ensure tires are properly inflated and appropriate for winter conditions. Proper inflation prevents damage during loading and unloading. Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, so check your tires when they're cold before shipping.
Holidays Pickup & Delivery Tips
Use these tips to make pickup and delivery easier and safer during the busy Christmas season.
Choose door-to-door delivery. Opting for door-to-door delivery is safer than driving yourself during the Christmas season. Roads are busier, the weather is harsher, and the risk of accidents or impaired driving is higher.
Consider expedited services for last-minute needs. Services like expedited car shipping can be used for urgent shipments, but be aware that they are more expensive. If you need your vehicle delivered before Christmas, expedited service may be worth the premium cost to guarantee timely arrival.
Schedule pickup during daylight hours. Winter days are shorter, with sunset as early as 4:30 PM in December. Schedule your pickup for morning or early afternoon so carriers can safely inspect and load your vehicle in good lighting conditions.
Ensure clear access for carriers. Make sure your driveway and street are cleared of snow and ice before the carrier arrives. Large car transport trucks need safe, level access and cannot navigate icy driveways or snow-covered residential streets. If accessibility is an issue, arrange to meet the carrier at a nearby cleared location like a parking space.
Holiday Car Shipping Methods: Costs and Options Compared
Below is a quick comparison of the four main shipping options available during the Christmas season.
| Method | Description | Best For / When to Choose | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Transport | Affordable, common vehicles are shipped on open trailers exposed to the weather. | Warm-weather routes, avoiding snow belt states, and budget-conscious shipping | Base cost (standard) |
| Enclosed Transport | Fully covered trailer protects from snow, salt, and ice; limited availability. | Heavy snow states, luxury/classic/gift vehicles, winter storm protection | +30–50% of open transport |
| Door-to-Door | Carrier picks up and delivers directly; no terminal visits; requires snow-free access. | Clear driveways, avoiding terminal trips, and precise timing for Christmas delivery | +15–25% of standard rates |
| Expedited | Faster pickup/delivery (1–3 days quicker); ideal for last-minute shipping. | Delivery before Dec 25, disrupted plans, last-minute gifts, time-sensitive shipments | +20–40% of standard rates |
Partner with BAH Logistics to Ship Your Car This Christmas
This Christmas, make car shipping hassle-free by following all the tips in this article and working with a reliable partner like BAH Logistics. While many car shipping companies struggle with limited availability during the peak holiday season, our extensive network of trusted carriers gives us a significant advantage, ensuring we can secure space for your vehicle even when demand is at its highest.
Christmas Car Shipping FAQs
Is December a good time to ship a car?
December can be a good time to ship a car, but it’s peak season in many states due to holiday travel and winter moves. Weather and carrier availability vary by region, so planning is crucial. With our large network of trusted carriers, we ensure your car is delivered safely and on time.
Why is holiday car shipping more expensive?
Holiday car shipping is often more expensive due to high demand, limited carrier availability, and the extra risks of winter weather. Fuel costs can also rise during this period, and fewer enclosed trailers or specialized equipment are available. Planning helps secure better rates despite these seasonal challenges.
How far in advance should I schedule my shipment?
For holiday car shipping, it’s best to schedule your shipment 2–4 weeks in advance. This ensures you secure a carrier before routes fill up and helps avoid last-minute delays. For enclosed or high-demand shipments, booking 4–5 weeks ahead is recommended for the best availability and pricing.
Open vs. enclosed transport in winter - which is safer?
Enclosed transport is generally safer in winter, protecting your vehicle from snow, ice, and road salt. Open transport can still be safe if you choose a reliable company like BAH Logistics with experienced carriers. Ultimately, the best option depends on your route, local winter conditions, and vehicle type.
What to do if my car shipping is delayed?
Winter weather, traffic, and holiday schedules can affect Christmas car shipping transport times. Generally, stay informed and be patient, as most delays are temporary. If needed, contact the shipping company for updates and specific reasons for the delay.
