Why Hire Car Shipping Services For Winter Moves in Canada

Data by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) indicates the negative impact of winter driving. Almost 30% of collisions happened due to wet, snowy and icy roads. Of all these collisions, one third fell in January, February, November and December. These numbers overlap with snowbird season and winter relocation months, which is why many people turn to car shipping services instead of driving long routes during the coldest period of the year.

The Safety Reality of Snowbird Winter Move and Auto Hauling Services

A large number of Canadians head south every winter. According to reporting from AZCentral, more than 100,000 Canadian snowbirds stay in Arizona each winter, and many more spend the season in places like Florida, California and Texas.

However, this movement comes with real risk. Winter is the most dangerous driving season in Canada, and the numbers show it clearly. The same report notes 3,434 fatalities in 2022, with the highest risk periods appearing in March, October and December.

Mainly, the winter roads are a concern as more than 50,000 crashes a year in Canada are caused by winter precipitation, including snow and ice.

But the risk is not only about snow and ice. Snowbirds have to drive thousands of kilometers through unpredictable road conditions and often-inaccurate weather forecasts. The travellers also pass through multiple regions with different road quality and maintenance levels.

A chart by Transport Canada shows that many fatal crashes involve human factors. Every year in the chart, the “other human factor” category is the tallest bar, reaching above 60%. This tells us that judgment, decision-making and tired driving can be just as dangerous as road conditions.

Other patterns from the chart also matter:

• Fatigue appears consistently every year
• Speeding remains a steady contributor
• Impairment stays present across all five years
• Vehicle factors appear in every dataset
• Environmental factors rise and fall but never disappear

For snowbirds or winter movers, this combination matters because long drives increase fatigue, and tired drivers often make quick decisions that lead to mistakes.

How do Car Shipping Services Reduce these Risks?

Here’s what the car shipping services are doing differently:

• The drivers are trained to handle long routes in winter and know the problems that stretch along highways and rural roads. They will not keep pushing due to a personal schedule, so they are more likely to stop during harsh conditions.
• Fatigue is managed with controlled work hours, planned rest breaks, and a clear limit on how long someone can stay behind the wheel. A snowbird might try to cover an extra distance in one long day.
• The carriers get properly checked before and after loading. Professionals inspect tires, lights, basic mechanical systems and securement points. That reduces the chance of a brake issue, worn tires or another vehicle factor contributing to a crash.
• Routes are monitored in real time. Dispatchers and drivers follow highway reports and weather updates.
• Professional drivers know how cold affects traction, stopping distance and the way salt, slush and sand build up under the vehicle. That knowledge influences how they drive and when they stop.
• Professional drivers have strict rules: they must stay within speed limits and not drive under the influence. This helps remove many of the judgmental errors that lead to fatal outcomes.

Most importantly, it’s a weight off your shoulders. Using auto transport services means you can avoid long wait hours, fatigue, storm systems, and the mechanical wear and tear that winter puts on a car.

How Seasonal Vehicle Shipping Conditions Benefit Snowbirds Moving South?

Besides being helpful from a safety point of view, winter travel also benefits snowbirds because auto hauling services have more space and flexibility.

A report from DAT Freight & Analytics shows that February 2025 truckload volumes declined and spot rates fell with it. Flatbed activity, which represents the equipment group closest to open-deck vehicle carriers, rose only 0.4% from January. DAT links this slow movement to winter weather and normal seasonal decline.

For snowbirds looking to ship their vehicles, here’s what this implies:

More Availability – Car Shipping Services

Many carriers are not operating at full capacity in winter. Lower freight pressure often translates into easier scheduling for snowbirds and winter movers who want to transport a car instead of driving it.

Potentially Lower Rates

Since fewer flatbed-type loads are available, carriers with open-deck or multi-vehicle equipment often have more room in their schedules. This means prices stay steadier compared to peak seasons like spring and early summer.

Contract vs. Spot

You can choose between stable contract pricing or variable spot rates. Contracted carriers offer predictable costs, while spot rates may occasionally be cheaper but can fluctuate.

Overall, hiring an auto hauling service allows snowbirds to schedule pickup, delivery and personal travel without the pressure and high costs that come with busy freight months.

More Beneficial Reasons of Car Shipping Services in Winters

The following are some day-to-day reasons why many snowbirds avoid DIY moves and choose  car relocation services during winter instead:

• Long drives across the country can take days. Fuel, meals and hotels quickly add up with each stop.
• A long winter route adds a lot of kilometers to the odometer.
• Salt, slush and sand stay packed under the frame and can lead to rust, or extra strain on key parts.
• There is a noticeable rise in battery failure during cold winter months, leading to more jumpstarts and tows.
• Cars may break down on rural highways where services are limited, especially during storms and low-traffic periods.
• Cross-border timing becomes easier when the car is shipped. Travellers can book flights without worrying about road closures or weather delays.
• Shipping reduces the overall stress of planning long winter travel and lets the vehicle arrive without the heavy wear that winter driving creates.
• EVs lose a large amount of range in cold temperatures, which makes long winter routes more difficult and stressful.

Conclusion – Car Shipping Services

Shipping your vehicle with a trusted vehicle shipping company to your destination is the best way to kick-start a stress-free snowbird season. Automobile shipping solutions offer highly trained drivers who are ready to mitigate any potential dangers by being well-aware of road safety rules and safe driving practices.