Here's something the car shipping industry doesn't advertise: the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are chaos. Demand spikes, carriers book solid, and everyone wants their vehicle delivered "before the holidays."
If you need a car shipped during this window, you can absolutely make it happen. But you need to plan smarter than everyone else.
Why Holiday Shipping Gets Complicated
It's not just consumer demand—though that's part of it. Carriers also deal with weather delays, shorter daylight hours, and drivers wanting time off with their families. The whole system slows down right when everyone needs it to speed up.
December sees car shipping cost searches spike to 18,100 monthly—50% above normal. That's a lot of people competing for limited trailer space.
The carriers who are working charge premium rates. The ones offering bargain prices in mid-December? They're either lying or they'll bump your car for a higher-paying load. Neither scenario ends well for you.
The Real Holiday Deadlines
Want your car delivered before Christmas? Here's the actual timeline:
Book by November 15 for comfortable coast-to-coast delivery. This gives you buffer for pickup delays and the 10-14 day transit time cross-country routes require.
Book by December 1 for shorter routes under 1,000 miles. You'll still have about three weeks, which should work—but you're cutting it closer.
Book by December 10 only if you're willing to pay for expedited car shipping. At this point, standard service might not make it. Express options exist but cost 30-50% more.
After December 15? Honestly, you're gambling. Some cars make it. Many don't. Carriers start shutting down for the holidays, and weather delays can push delivery into the new year regardless of promises.
Fast Car Shipping Options
When timing is tight, you have a few levers to pull:
Expedited shipping guarantees faster pickup—usually within 24-72 hours instead of the standard 3-7 day window. Transit time stays roughly the same since trucks can only legally drive so many hours per day. But eliminating the pickup delay can save you nearly a week.
Hotshot carriers run smaller trucks with just 1-3 vehicles. They're faster and more flexible but significantly more expensive. For urgent situations, they're worth knowing about.
Flexible pickup locations can speed things up. If you can meet a carrier at a truck stop or major intersection rather than requiring home pickup, you become easier to schedule. Carriers prioritize easy loads when they're slammed.
Open dates help too. Telling a broker "anytime between December 5-10" gets you on a truck faster than demanding December 7 specifically.
What Expedited Shipping Actually Costs
Standard cross-country shipping runs $1,000-$1,500 normally. During peak holiday weeks, add 15-25% to baseline rates just for the seasonal demand.
Expedited service on top of that? Another 30-50%. So that $1,200 shipment might become $1,800-$2,000 for guaranteed fast handling in December.
Is it worth it? Depends entirely on your situation. If you need the car for a holiday road trip or you're relocating for a January 2 job start, paying extra beats the alternative. If the timing is merely preferred rather than essential, waiting until January often makes more sense.
The January Alternative
Here's something to consider: January is one of the cheapest months to ship a car. Demand craters after the holidays. Carriers need loads. Prices drop.
If your car doesn't absolutely need to arrive before December 25, scheduling a January delivery saves money and stress. You'll get better rates, faster pickup, and fewer headaches.
Not glamorous advice, but practical.
Protecting Yourself During Peak Season
Holiday shipping attracts some questionable operators looking to cash in on desperate customers. A few safeguards:
Get everything in writing. Verbal promises about delivery dates mean nothing. Written contracts with specific windows matter.
Pay deposits only—not full payment upfront. Standard industry practice is a deposit to book, with the balance paid at delivery. Anyone demanding full payment before pickup is a red flag.
Check reviews from November/December specifically. A company might be great in March and terrible during peak season when they're overwhelmed.
Have a backup plan. If the car doesn't arrive in time, what's your alternative? Knowing this reduces panic and bad decisions.
Start Early Next Year
If you're reading this in December and already stressed, file this away for next year: start planning holiday car shipments in October. Seriously. The people who book early get standard rates and reliable timing. Everyone else fights over scraps.
Peak season rewards the prepared. Be that person next time.
