The phrase “seasonal fluctuations” resonates far and wide in the auto shipping industry, referring to the changes auto shipping services undergo throughout the different times of the year. Still, customers need to realize how these different months affect the auto shipping industry in addition to knowing the best and worst times for vehicle hauling.
The auto transport industry runs year-round; however, the supply and demand for auto shipping services are unstable. This article outlines the busiest times of vehicle shipment and auto hauling downtimes, the seasonal impact on the car hauling business, and how to handle peak season booking problems after examining the connection between auto shipping and seasonality.
Seasonality in the auto shipping industry
Like any other industry, the vehicle transportation sector experiences ups and downs throughout the year. Seasons influence demand and supply for car hauling services, which in turn influences the service’s cost, accessibility, and convenience. Changes in the auto transport sector according to the various seasons of the year are referred to as seasonal fluctuations.
Peak season
The busiest times for car hauling throughout the year occur during the holidays, summer, and when snowbirds relocate.
Holidays
December is one of the busiest months for auto transport workers. Needless to say, it is the month of stay-home holidays with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. During these events, people travel miles to celebrate with their families, and so do auto transport workers. Consequently, it can be difficult to find car-hauling carriers to transport vehicles during these times.
Summer peak
The summer rush is another normal part of vehicle hauling. It is convenient for parents to change jobs and relocate in the summer since their kids won’t attend school. Furthermore, college students usually head home during the summer holiday, resulting in additional limited time for shipping thousands of vehicles.
In general, traveling and moving rates are higher in the summer as it is a warm season that facilitates various activities. Not to mention, the 4th of July saw a significant increase in auto transport requests, as carriers prefer spending the day with their families instead of working.
Snowbirds
An additional factor increasing the demand for car transport services is the rise in “snowbirds.” Seasonal migration affects car transporting especially during low temperatures when snowbirds, AKA seasonal movers, migrate from the north to regions like Florida, Texas, and Arizona. As the weather in the north warms, they return home.
This leads to increased requests for car shipping services on the south-north routes. In the fall, shipping a car to the south will be difficult due to the high demand, but shipping a vehicle to the north will be easier. Meanwhile, in spring, the situation is reversed.
| Season | Demand | What to Watch For | Challenges | Smart Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Snowbird Season) | High (heading south) | Retirees, people escaping the cold | Not many carriers available | Book as early as you can and be prepared for some delays. |
| Spring (Return Trips) | High (going north) | Snowbirds heading back home | Northern routes can get jam-packed | Lock in your dates early and try to stay flexible. |
| Summer (Peak Season) | Very High | Families, college students | Prices go up, carriers get booked fast | Plan ahead and consider paying extra to get priority. |
| Fall (Slow Season) | Low | Anyone looking to save | Not many issues—it’s a quiet time | Great time to ship! Enjoy better prices and availability. |
| Holidays (December–January) | High | Holiday travelers | Drivers may be off-duty; festive delays common | Avoid shipping right around the holidays and book early. |
Avoiding peak times booking problems
When people consider shipping their vehicles during the peak time without struggling with finding a carrier, these solutions will come in useful:
- Booking in advance: To ensure their vehicle pick up and delivery will go as planned, car shippers can make early bookings.
- Pay more: Paying extra money for carriers is a good way to ensure that they are prioritized over others during the peak season.
- Wait out the rush: This solution works better for people who are not in a hurry and can arrange for their car hauling at a time when there is less demand.
More importantly, consider choosing a good and reliable auto transport company to move your car with, even if it is challenging to find one during peak season. Tempus Logix is a trusted and convenient auto shipping company licensed and registered with the USDOT and FMCSA. With years of experience, the Tempus Logix team can handle the hauling of any vehicle timely, properly, and under different circumstances.
Downtime season
Apart from summer and holiday times, other times of the year are considered less stressful. February and the fall are the best times for car shipping since there is less demand for auto-hauling services. For those looking for the best time to ship their vehicles, it is advised to do it in the fall season when the weather is still warm, carriers are empty and will offer lower prices, and the traffic is also better.
How does seasonality impact the auto shipping industry?
People shipping their vehicles during peak times must expect higher prices, nonetheless, underrated services. Delays in shipments are expected when there is a high demand for car-hauling services.
On the other hand, during business downtime, the competition among carriers will become stronger, resulting in lowered prices, better services, and proper car hauling. As a result, the decrease in demand will contribute to timely deliveries.
Finally, this briefly describes the seasonal changes and impacts on the auto-hauling industry. As with any business, the higher the demand, the higher the prices, and the fewer requests, the lower the prices.
Auto transport has seen its fair share of seasonal changes. From temperatures to bird migrations, these factors can significantly impact the industry’s efficiency and demand.
