Snowbird Car Shipping
Long Island NY → Florida
Skip the 20-hour drive to Florida. Yorkers Auto Transport ships your car from Long Island to your Florida winter home — and back again in spring — so you can fly comfortably while your vehicle arrives safely at your door. The preferred choice for Long Island snowbirds for years.
Snowbird Car Shipping — Long Island to Florida and Back
Every fall, thousands of Long Island residents pack up and head south to their Florida winter homes — and every spring, they make the return trip back north. For many years, that meant a grueling 20–22 hour drive down I-95 or 95 — stressful, tiring, and hard on the car.
Car shipping has become the standard choice for snowbirds who want a smarter alternative. Simply book your transport, fly to Florida, and your car arrives at your winter home 3–6 days later. In spring, we pick it up from Florida and deliver it back to your Brentwood or Bay Shore home while you fly north. No highway miles, no stress, no tired legs.
Yorkers Auto Transport, based right in Brentwood, NY, specializes in the Long Island → Florida snowbird route. We do it every year, both directions. We know the timing, we know the seasonal pricing patterns, and we know how to make it easy for you.
Snowbird Season: When to Ship South vs. North
Snowbird Route Rates — Long Island ↔ Florida
| Route | Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island → Miami, FL | ~1,280 mi | $750 – $1,050 | $1,150 – $1,600 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~1,260 mi | $740 – $1,040 | $1,140 – $1,590 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Boca Raton, FL | ~1,240 mi | $730 – $1,030 | $1,130 – $1,580 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → West Palm Beach, FL | ~1,215 mi | $720 – $1,010 | $1,110 – $1,560 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Sarasota, FL | ~1,250 mi | $730 – $1,040 | $1,120 – $1,580 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Naples, FL | ~1,300 mi | $760 – $1,060 | $1,160 – $1,610 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Tampa, FL | ~1,200 mi | $730 – $1,000 | $1,100 – $1,550 | 4–6 days |
| Long Island → Orlando, FL | ~1,090 mi | $700 – $980 | $1,050 – $1,500 | 3–5 days |
| Florida → Long Island (Spring) | Same routes | Same pricing | Same pricing | 3–6 days |
Pricing may be higher during peak snowbird season (Oct–Nov southbound, Mar–Apr northbound). Book early to lock in your rate. Call (201) 431-5897 for your confirmed seasonal quote.
Why Long Island Snowbirds Choose Yorkers
- Local company — We pick up from your Brentwood, Bay Shore, or any Long Island home directly
- Seasonal expertise — We know the NY → FL snowbird route inside out — the timing, the carriers, the best booking windows
- Both directions — We handle the fall southbound trip AND the spring return north
- No hidden fees — The price quoted is the price paid, every time
- 24/7 availability — Call us anytime at (201) 431-5897 to book or ask questions
- Repeat customer service — Many of our snowbird customers ship with us every year, both directions
Snowbird Shipping FAQs
Book your fall shipment at least 2–3 weeks before your desired pickup date. October and November are peak season on the NY → FL route — carriers fill quickly and prices rise. Booking early locks in better pricing and ensures carrier availability on your preferred dates.
Most carriers allow a reasonable amount of personal items in the trunk — typically up to 100 lbs — but they are NOT covered by cargo insurance. We recommend keeping items minimal and not leaving valuables. Many snowbirds bring a small suitcase worth of items in the trunk. Just avoid overloading and never leave items on the seats where they're visible.
Driving Long Island to Miami takes approximately 20–22 hours over 1,280 miles — typically requiring an overnight stop. With auto transport, you fly (3 hours) while your car arrives at your Florida door in 4–6 days. Most snowbirds arrive before their car and use a rental or someone's vehicle for those few days — a much better experience than the drive.
We recommend booking each trip separately since spring return dates are often uncertain in fall. Call us when you're ready to return north in spring. However, if you know your return date in advance and want to plan ahead, call us to discuss — we can note your return preferences even if formal booking happens later.
Skip the Florida Drive — Ship Your Car Instead
Long Island → Florida · Both directions · Door-to-door · Book early for best rates