It can be quite expensive to transport your car and the cost of the transport depends on multiple factors. However, one of the most important things to consider is seasonal pricing variations in vehicle transport. Similarly to other sectors, the car shipping rates fluctuate over a year driven by the demand, weather conditions, and other seasonal factors. These pricing variations may allow you to plan your car shipment more effectively, as well as potentially saving some costs.
Within this write-up, we are going to dissect the reasons for seasonal price changes in vehicle transport, when is the best time to move your car, and how to deal with these changes so that you get the lowest price possible.
Why Do Transportation Prices for Vehicles Differ Seasonally?
Seasonal vehicle transport rates have a significant impact on the cost of shipping a car. Some seasons feature high demand for vehicle shipping, while others witness a decline in business. The knowing of these weather-related fluctuations in rates will let you have an idea when shipping your car is going to be the cheapest.
1. Increased Demand in the Season of Most Moves
Car shipping is usually more demanded at various times of the year, especially in the summer and during the festive period. The vast majority of moves are made in summer and therefore workers, students, and families are the main reasons for this time of the year to be so busy in the relocation market. Because of this chain reaction in the transport sector, the car shipping industry experiences a rebound. In other words, with more cars to drive, more cars to carry, and fewer drivers, the prices will rise to meet the extra demand for the service.
Summers: During the summer period (usually May to August), the moving season is at its highest. The usual family relocations that are either job or study-related, people going on holidays that involve their cars being shipped to the destinations far away are some of the activities that lead to the vehicle shipping requests to rise enormously.
Festivities: There is a significant surge in vehicle dispatch during the holiday season from November to December besides the summer peak months. In order for the vehicles to be long-distance driven or as a gift, the movers are the ones who pick this time for car moving thus putting demand and prices upward.
2. Weather Conditions and Seasonal Hazards
One of the major factors that influence transport rates are weather conditions. For instance, in regions experiencing extreme weather conditions, prices of transport are highly affected. The cold period of the year in the northern states is when icy roads, snow, and storms are common and they also lead to the creation of hazardous driving conditions that affect transport routes. As a result, transport companies may be required to do some rerouting, employing special vehicles or equipment, or even altering their hours of work to escape the adverse weather conditions, which can raise the costs.
Winter: Weather is one of the main causes for vehicle shipping rates to increase in the winter months (from November to February). The snow and ice on the roads not only slow down the transport but also carriers are forced to use enclosed transport to protect the cars from the cold. Besides that, the number of people who are willing to use the service in winter is lower which in turn causes a drop in the number of carriers and thus the process becomes more expensive.
Spring and Fall: It is during these seasons of transition (March to April and September to October) that the weather is usually moderate and that is the reason why car transport companies find it easier to cope with it. These months are generally considered off-peak times for the vehicle shipping industry, hence the demand is low and the shipping charges are mostly low as well.
3. Fuel Prices and Supply Chain Disruptions
Vehicle transportation can greatly be influenced by fuel prices and the change in fuel prices usually are cyclical. Thus fuel price hike, transport companies have to re-adjust their prices so that the rest of the charges can cover the increased fuel usage. On the other hand, supply chain breakdowns that is; shortages caused by the unstoppable situation of the world, natural calamities, and political tension, can make the faced with the carriers of transport that are less than a sufficient number of which the prices go up due to supply and demand.
Summer and Holidays: The period of the year when demand for moving is at its highest is also when fuel prices will be the highest thus the trend of transport costs pricing will continue to soar. With the using of vehicles at its peak and fuel running more expensive, the price of vehicle transport will go up.
Single-variable reasoning: such as inflation or gas shortages may indeed have a ripple effect of increasing the whole transport industry’s prices with vehicle shipping rates included. Although these occurrences cannot be foreseen, they still allow for seasonal pricing fluctuations.
Best Times to Ship Your Vehicle to Save Money
If you want to save a good amount of money on car shipping, you need to plan your vehicle transport very well. The most important thing to do is not to go during the high shipping seasons when more people want to ship their car and prices are usually higher. So let us see what are the best and the worst days of the year to ship your vehicle.
1. Best Times for Shipping a Vehicle
Spring (March to May): The explanation of why spring is one of the best times to ship a vehicle is that it is a season that comes after both winter and summer busy periods. At that time, the need of the shipping companies for their services is less, so they will be more open to giving you a lower rate for your vehicle transport.
Fall (September to November): Fall is also a time when there are not many shipper, so one can take advantage of this period to ship his/her vehicle at lower costs. Generally, the weather is good, and the demand for vehicle transport services will be low, so prices will decrease.
You will get more freedom in terms of the date and the mode of your journey during the two seasons of spring and fall, and this will mean that you will pay less.
2. Worst Times for Shipping a Vehicle
Summer (June to August): Summer is when most people move, and the vehicle shipping services are in high demand. The consequence of such a scenario is that the prices go higher, and there are fewer slots available on carriers, making it harder for you to pick a time. So, if it is possible for you to not drop off your car in the summer, most probably you will be able to cut down on your shipping cost.
Holiday Season (November to December): A rise in demand is another reason for the high shipping costs during the holiday season. The reason for the high rates would be the limited number of transport options and the increased demand when people are shipping their cars for the holidays or vacation travel.
Planning ahead to get the best rates is what I would suggest if you had to ship your car during these peak seasons.
How to Overcome Series Price Changes Seasonal Variaction in Car Transportation
Although seasonal fluctuations in the price of transport remain a fact, one can still employ several tactics to reduce costs.
1. Early planning and booking
If you have a car to ship during off-peak seasons, securing your set-up ahead of time is undoubtedly the best way to get a lower price. The earlier you book, the more you are likely to find a company offering you the most affordable rates with the widest range of available dates.
2. Hybrid date of pick-up and delivery combination
When you are free to choose your pick-up and delivery times, think about being flexible with these timings. If By avoiding peak days and being flexible you can avail yourself of off-peak prices which is what sums up to arvinle amount of saving for you which can be significant.
3. Choose Open Transport
The open transport is usually cheaper than the enclosed one, and it is safe enough for the majority of cars. You can decrease the cost of your shipment by using an open transport in the off-peak period without putting the transport at risk or reducing the quality of it.
4. Compare Multiple Quotes
Before you decide which car shipping company you will entrust with your task, ask for estimates from different providers. Make a comparison not solely based on the pricings but also on the features delivered, for instance coverage for the insurance, the means of shipping, and customers’ feedback. It is quite worth it to shop around in order to get the best deal, especially when it is off-peak season.
Seasonal changes in car transport prices are the result of several factors, including the demand for services, the condition of the weather, the price of fuel, and disruptions in the supply chain. When you know these changes, you will be able to schedule your car shipment in a way that you get the lowest price.
At Automobile Shipping, we recognize the difficulties in car transport and provide attractive rates all through the year. In case you are off-peak shipping your vehicle and want the fastest service in the busy period, we will be glad to help. Get in touch with us now to receive a quote and see how we can make your vehicle shipping easy!
