The best time to book snowbird car shipping for the 2026-27 season is August or September for an October through January pickup. Peak southbound demand runs October through December, and the earliest bookings get first choice of pickup windows. If you are reading this later than that, you can still book: the earliest pickup you can request is three days from today, and checking the flexible-dates box gives dispatch more room to fit your car onto a truck.
What you'll learn
- Book in August or September for October through January pickups; October through December is peak. You choose a requested date and the car is picked up that day or one day either side. Ask for the spring return trip at quote time to lock the same fixed rate for March through May.
This guide walks through the season month by month, then covers how the pickup window, cancellation terms, and the return-trip rate lock work in the Snowbird Fixed-Price Program.
The 2026-27 season at a glance
| When you book | What to expect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| August–September | Widest choice of pickup windows | Get your fixed price, pick a date, book |
| October | Peak demand begins | Book as soon as your departure date is set |
| November–December | Peak southbound demand | Book early; consider flexible dates |
| January | End of the southbound rush | Book normally; windows open up |
| Booking late (any month) | Earliest pickup is 3 days out | Check "My dates are flexible (±3 days)" |
August and September: the planning window
This is the window the program itself recommends. Booking now does two things. First, it gets you first choice of pickup windows before the October rush. Second, it fixes your price: under the program, price is road miles multiplied by the rate for your origin state, rounded to the nearest $5, and it is locked at booking.
Rates for 2026-27 are $1.20 per mile from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, and $1.35 per mile from Vermont, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, to anywhere in Florida. Open transport, running vehicles, all-inclusive with no hidden fees.
To get a number, enter your two ZIP codes and your vehicle on the quote form. You get an instant fixed price by email with a Book Now link. Some real examples from recorded quotes:
| Lane | Road miles | Fixed price |
|---|---|---|
| Seabrook, NH → Orlando | 1,329 | $1,595 |
| Boston, MA → Naples | 1,503 | $1,805 |
| Burlington, VT → Sarasota | 1,469 | $1,985 |
October: peak begins
October is when southbound demand starts to climb. If your Florida arrival date is fixed, book as soon as you know it. You still get the same per-mile rate in October as in August; what changes is how much choice you have in pickup windows.
November and December: the busiest stretch
November and December are the heart of peak season. Two things matter here:
- Book early. Early bookings get first choice of pickup windows.
- Expect some movement. In peak season, the pickup window may shift by up to two days. The office confirms your pickup day and the driver calls with the exact time.
If you are flexible, say so. Flexible dates make it faster to match your car to a truck already running the lane.
If you plan to head south after Thanksgiving or the December holidays, book the car before you finalize flights. Your pickup window is the fixed point; plan travel around it rather than the other way around.
January: the tail of the season
January is still inside the recommended October–January transport window, and demand is past its peak. Booking in January works the same way: instant fixed price, pick a requested date at least three days out, and the office confirms.
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Booking late: what still works
If your plans changed or you simply left it until now, here is what to know:
- The earliest bookable pickup is three days from today. You cannot request a date sooner than that through the program.
- Check the flexible-dates box. The quote form has an optional "My dates are flexible (±3 days)" box. It gives dispatch more room to match your car with a truck on the lane.
- Have the car ready on day one of your window. A running car with keys available, personal items removed, and someone at the address who can sign.
How the 3-day pickup window works
You pick a requested date. Baier picks up on that day or one day either side. Request October 17, for example, and your window is October 16 through 18.
The office confirms the pickup day. The driver calls with the exact time. During peak season, the window may shift by up to two days.
This is different from a guaranteed pickup date, which is a commitment to one specific day and usually costs more on standard quotes. It is also more defined than a first available date, which only marks the start of an open-ended window.
Delivery timing in the program
Program cars move through Baier's New England–Florida network, picked up at your address and delivered to your Florida address. Delivery is estimated within 10 days of pickup. If a delay within Baier's control runs past 10 days, you receive a $25 credit for each extra day.
Who hauls your car
About half of Baier's loads ride on Baier trucks with Baier drivers. The rest move with vetted partner carriers that hold active FMCSA authority and insurance on file, booked under Baier's broker authority (Baier Automotive Logistics, MC 1218658). Either way, Baier stays your single point of contact from quote to delivery.
Cancellation terms
Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before your requested pickup date. Inside 48 hours, a $25 processing fee applies. For current payment terms, see the snowbird program page.
Lock the spring return rate now
Most snowbird customers ship both ways. Tell Baier at quote time that you want the return trip, and it locks the same fixed rate for the March–May trip north. That means your round-trip cost is known before you leave New England. Our guide to shipping your car back north in spring covers that leg in detail.
As one customer put it in a Google review: "If you're a snowbird in New England, you need to call these guys." — Stephen Rowe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book snowbird car shipping for 2026-27? August or September is the recommended booking window for October through January transport. Peak southbound demand runs October through December, so earlier bookings get first choice of pickup windows. You can book any time after that, as long as your requested pickup is at least three days out.
How soon can my car be picked up if I book today? The earliest bookable pickup is three days from today. Your pickup then happens on your requested date or one day either side. Checking the "My dates are flexible (±3 days)" box on the quote form gives dispatch more room to place your car.
Does booking early get me a lower price? The program price is road miles times your origin state's rate ($1.20 or $1.35 per mile), rounded to the nearest $5. Booking early does not change that formula. What it does get you is first choice of pickup windows and a price that is locked at booking.
What happens if I need to cancel? Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before your requested pickup. Inside 48 hours, there is a $25 processing fee.
How long does delivery take in the snowbird program? Delivery is estimated within 10 days of pickup. If a delay within Baier's control runs past 10 days, you get a $25 credit for each extra day. See how long auto transport takes for how transit is calculated on standard quotes.
Can I book the return trip at the same time? Yes. Tell Baier at quote time and it locks the same fixed rate for the March–May return trip north.
Get your fixed price
Enter two ZIP codes and your vehicle on the snowbird program page for an instant fixed price with a Book Now link, or request a standard quote for any other lane. Prefer to talk it through? Call (603) 490-7309, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
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