Car Vehicle Transport: Is It Cheaper to Ship Your Car in Winter?
If you have any flexibility on when you move, the time of year you book your car vehicle transport can affect both the price and how quickly you get a spot.
Why Summer Car Shipping Costs More
May through September is peak moving season in Canada. Real estate transactions spike, leases turn over, and families relocate before the school year starts. That means more people booking automovers at the same time.
Higher demand means carriers are busier. Routes fill up faster, and pickup windows get tighter. When every auto vehicle transport company is running at full capacity, prices reflect that. If you’re booking during the same weeks when everyone else is hiring furniture movers and closing on houses, expect to pay more for the car shipment too.
What Happens to Car Shipping in Winter
Winter is the off-season for most moves. Fewer people are relocating, which means less demand for automobile shipping. Carriers have more availability, and you’ll generally have an easier time locking in your preferred pickup date.
That said, winter shipping in Canada comes with its own factors. Weather can affect transit times on routes that cross the Prairies or the Rockies. Snow, ice, and road closures can add delays that don’t exist in summer. The price might be lower, but the timeline might be less predictable.
If you’re moving in January because that’s when your new job starts, you likely don’t have a choice. But if you’re weighing a November move against a March move, winter availability can work in your favour.
The Shoulder Seasons: Spring and Fall
The sweet spot for many relocations is early spring or late fall. Moving demand hasn’t peaked yet, the weather is manageable on most routes, and carrier availability is better than midsummer. Real estate markets are also quieter, so if you’re buying or selling a home, you may face less competition on that side too.
For automobile shipping specifically, booking in April or October means you’re more likely to get your first-choice pickup date without the premium pricing that comes with July and August.
How to Use Timing to Your Advantage
If your move date is flexible, even by a few weeks, it can make a difference. Shifting a late June move to mid-July won’t help much since both are peak season. But moving your timeline from August to late September puts you past the worst of the summer rush.
Book early regardless of season. Even during quieter months, popular routes between major cities fill up. Choosing a carrier that owns its fleet gives you more scheduling control than going through a broker, which matters when you’re trying to sync your car delivery with furniture movers, a lease start, and a flight to a new city.
Does Vehicle Size Affect Seasonal Pricing?
At most carriers, larger vehicles cost more regardless of the season. That’s not the case everywhere. Automoves doesn’t charge extra based on vehicle size. An SUV costs the same as a sedan on the same route, whether you ship in July or January. That makes budgeting simpler when you’re already tracking moving costs, deposits, and travel expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your move and want to know what car shipping will cost?
Whether you’re moving this summer or waiting for the off-season, get a free quote from Automoves and lock in your rate.
