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When the leaves start falling from branches and the first cold snaps hit the northern states, retirees and part-time residents pack up their bags and head south. The annual migration of snowbirds in search of sunshine refers to typically older consumers seeking relaxing days in warmer climates.
Roughly 300,000 to 400,000 seasonal residents flock to the greater Phoenix metro area alone every single year. They come for the mild Arizona winter temperatures, soul-filling sunshine, strong healthcare access, and affordable living standards.
While some pack up RVs and make the journey a road trip-worthy experience, others prefer the safety and convenience of snowbird auto transport from leading logistics providers like Nexus Auto Transport. That way, when winter starts, they can hop on a plane and have the family car waiting and ready for fun in the AZ sun.Â
Escaping Winter: How Car Shipping Eases the Seasonal Move South for Retirees
The journey south is more than a vacation. It requires managing two locations each year. A lot of organization goes into that life model, including arranging pickup and delivery of vehicles at both destinations.Â
Choosing trusted transport carriers helps snowbirds avoid driving through snowy, icy, and unpredictable road conditions of the northern states. It reduces the thousands of miles on a vehicle’s odometer and lowers the risk of breaking down in the middle of a storm with no nearby bed and breakfast in sight.Â
Snowbirds can use the domestic transport quote or estimate calculator from Nexus to plan their trip well ahead of time. Everything is managed for them, making the flight far less stressful, knowing a vehicle is already prepped for ease of exploring the many Arizona roadways.Â
Snowbird Auto Transport: What to Expect When Relocating Your Vehicle to Arizona
The best auto shipping provider for snowbirds provides all the info needed to make the move to the Grand Canyon State. For example, they can outline when the busiest months for that type of travel are, giving snowbirds more insight into peak travel times (usually from mid-November to April) for budgeting and planning.
Securing a spot as early as possible helps reduce costs and worry. Those looking for snowbird auto transport to and from Arizona should always opt for professionals with experience, such as Nexus Auto Transport. That will open more benefits, like:
Knowing the details of working with the best auto transport services is crucial when snowbirding is tied to such tight schedules. Around 34% of Americans plan on the snowbird lifestyle every year, with a good portion heading to Arizona’s Valley of the Sun. That means you need to work out leases, RV parking, license changes, and more well in advance of your arrival.Â
It’s best to work with a team that understands these needs and provides the structure to make your life easier, so you can get back to enjoying the excellent barbecue restaurants in Gilbert or the golf courses of Scottsdale.
From Coast to Desert: Fast, Insured Car Shipping Solutions for Busy Professionals
Snowbirds are not just retirees planning to live near their grandkids for the winter months. Many professionals with flexible or remote jobs are also embracing the seasonal lifestyle. About 35% of work-from-home professionals decide to winter in warmer climates. For these consumers, time is money. Every day spent on the road is one day lost in productivity or spent with the family.Â
Working with a team of professional snowbird auto transport professionals provides an advantage to individuals who are time-dependent. For those choosing the vast carrier network of vetted drivers at Nexus Auto Transport, it means shaving days off the average coast-to-desert delivery.
Nexus can complete a trip from New York to Phoenix in approximately 8-10 days with standard shipping. Chicago to Scottsdale is only 6-8 days, and Seattle to Tucson is anywhere from 7 to 9 days. Additionally, snowbirds have access to various options, including open or enclosed auto transport, expedited shipping, and shipping insurance, providing peace of mind.Â
No matter what the options are, all vehicles should be covered by carrier insurance. If you’re a snowbird looking for the best car shipping service, be sure to check if they list their U.S. DOT and FMCSA numbers. You want all the reassurance that you’ll get professional, easy-to-communicate auto transport that follows current interstate transport laws. That is much better than the hassle of trying to figure out pick-up depots after a long flight or dealing with unverified drivers who don’t double-check the condition of vehicles before and after a successful delivery.
Key Considerations Before Booking Snowbird Auto Transport
Before you visit the Phoenix New Times website to explore concerts, food festivals, cultural events, and the latest gallery openings in Paradise Valley, it’s helpful to confirm the options you are choosing with your auto delivery.
For starters, book your journey early. That will give you the best chances of discounts and delivery time flexibility, fit to your specific needs. The closer you get to snowbird season, the fewer openings there will be.
Next, select a transport type that fits your vehicle. If you’re shipping a luxury car, you may want to go with enclosed carriers, as that protects the finish and paint better. As for preparing your vehicle, you don’t need to fill it with personal items. Clean the car inside and out, top off the fluids, take some photos before the inspection, and ensure you have copies or originals of all the necessary paperwork required.
Try to settle on a pickup and delivery window instead of precise times. Road conditions, weather, and traffic can all impact delivery. Having those realistic expectations goes a long way to making the process much easier. If necessary, you can always have a friend in Arizona ready to meet the driver if they arrive earlier than expected at your driveway.
A quality car shipping service will walk you through all these steps anyway, but a little heads up goes a long way to making your trip to Arizona much smoother.
A Warmer Path Forward
Arizona will always be a top destination for snowbirds. Between the sunny afternoons, highly sought-after golf courses, and affordable living options with easy access to healthcare and diverse food, it’s no surprise so many move from Minnesota or New York down south each year. What makes the journey so much easier is having a stress-free partner provide vehicle logistics, allowing you to focus on more critical travel needs.
Relying on a professional car transport company reassures snowbirds, rather than battling icy highways or dealing with unpredictable seasonal housing costs. Customers can simply book the car transport, board a plane, and start the winter with the car waiting in the dry, relaxing climate of the desert. This season, make your snowbird travel easy by booking vehicle transport as early as possible. You’ll save time and money and be more prepared for life in the Arizona sunshine.