It's almost winter, so let's talk about holiday auto shipment. With only two significant changes, the holiday season is full of changes in the vehicle transport companies. The winter season runs from December to March.
Winter shipping is already slower than summer and spring. But, when the holidays are involved, there are even more deviations from the norm to consider. It's critical to understand how winter weather and holiday travel affect services — and prices. Read our five-holiday auto shipping tips below and contact a representative for more information.
A Basic Summary of Holiday Auto Shipment
Shipping a car during the holidays isn't difficult — we do it daily. However, with the holidays falling in the dead of winter, finding a carrier at a fair price can be difficult. Winter tends to lower rates on most routes. Except for the “snowbird routes” from New England to Florida and the Great Lakes to the Southwest. Snowbirds are people who move south during the winter to avoid the cold. Due to high demand on these routes, most major carriers relocate to the north-south routes. Carriers can then prioritize the highest-paying loads, leading to price increases.
Holidays complicate things, especially in terms of scheduling. Carriers avoid Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many also don't want to work the day before or after. So we observe fewer dispatched automobiles (cars designated for pickup) around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We also experience delays in transportation time. If a carrier's typical route takes seven days, it may take ten days during Thanksgiving week. They'll want to take a break, then go back on the road the next day or two. Not surprisingly, most individuals don't want to work over the holidays. As a result, holiday transit times may be extended by a day or two.
How Urban Vs. Rural Transportation Affects You
Did you know that cities get less snow than suburban or rural areas? The explanation is the Urban Heat Island Effect. Human activity causes an urban heat island, which is much warmer than its surroundings. This is common in urban regions like Manhattan and Los Angeles. Tall skyscrapers and lots of people. The sun heats the concrete and other building materials during the day, making them slower to cool. That's a lot of words to convey that cities may be easier to ship to or from due to less snow.
Of fact, UHI-affected downtowns may never see snow. Enough said. Carriers may find urban locations simpler to reach than rural ones. Accessibility can save you money. Washington, D.C., is a great example. Large logistics trucks are prohibited from traveling on certain surface roadways in the District of Columbia, limiting carrier access. It is easier for them to meet customers outside of the D.C. area.
Urban vs. rural motor travel is similar. Rural areas, especially in the north, get more snow, making carrier access difficult. Accessibility issues might boost prices to or from locations already more expensive than cities.
Estimating Future Price and Service Changes
Winter and holiday prices are usually lower than spring and summer pricing. We mentioned it previously - without snowbird routes, auto transport prices fall across the board. It's hardly unexpected that there's less freight because fewer people transport cars. Prices fall when demand is minimal and carriers must take what they can get.
Car shipping rates don't fluctuate significantly around the holidays. That is, rates do not change due to particular holidays. It's actually the opposite around the holidays. We briefly discussed availability earlier, but its nuances deserve additional attention. Carriers don't want to work unless they have to. This need is heightened over the holidays.
For example, carrier availability is high around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They're trying to load up their trucks before or after the holiday. They do this for many reasons, but mainly for convenience. Preparing a load before the holiday allows carriers to spend more time with their families.
As stated previously, carriers will add any time off the road to your projected delivery date. It's not like carriers will pick up a vehicle on the Monday before Thanksgiving and not show up until Saturday. They will factor in any planned vacation time. The same goes for the price. Once the driver transfers your car into their truck, your pricing is set.
Be Ready For Anything
Delays are inevitable when traveling vast distances. It's a given. Carriers, like you, must be prepared for every eventuality.
When transferring a vehicle, you must be ready for everything. Yes, most autos are moved within seven days. No, damage occurs rarely, and we have only had to deal with two or three damage claims out of thousands shipped.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to Christmas auto shipment. Prepare for probable pick up, transport, or delivery delays. It is possible that your vehicle will not be picked up or delivered on time over the holidays. Most of the time it is due to uncontrollable conditions. Like damage or long shipping times, these delays are rare and nearly typically due to bad weather or traffic. But it happens, therefore you need a plan B.
Have A Plan B
No matter what you plan to do, always have a Plan B. Whether you're planning a beach vacation or a Black Friday shopping trip, having a backup plan is essential. The same goes with holiday auto shipping.
Want your car the day after a holiday? If so, be prepared for it to arrive the next day. Common? No. Is it true? Yes. So plan alternate transportation while you await delivery. It's critical to plan ahead, especially during a difficult period like the winter holidays.
If you have any questions about our auto car transport services, please contact one of our friendly employees at Auto Shipping Group.