When shipping your vehicle across the country, most people consider factors like cost, timing, and the reputation of the auto transport broker. But one thing that often gets overlooked until it’s too late is the impact of weather on auto transport. While it may not seem like a huge deal, the weather can play a significant role in delays, vehicle protection, and even the safety of your car while it’s being transported.
This blog will dive into how different weather conditions can affect your shipment and what you can do to be prepared.
1. Extreme Heat: More Than Just Uncomfortable
Shipping a vehicle during summer or in areas that experience extreme heat brings unique challenges. Hot temperatures can:
Cause Delays: Heatwaves often lead to slower traffic and even road closures, particularly in places like the Southwest, where temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. This slows down transport schedules as drivers may need to take alternate routes or make more frequent stops to avoid overheating their trucks.
Impact Vehicle Parts: While most vehicles are built to withstand high temperatures, prolonged exposure to extreme heat during transport can impact certain parts of the vehicle, such as tires, batteries, and fluid levels.
Driver Fatigue: Extreme heat isn’t just hard on cars—it’s hard on drivers too. Auto transport drivers are required by law to take breaks, and during heatwaves, those breaks may become more frequent. This can extend delivery times as drivers work to ensure their own safety and the safety of your vehicle.
2. Winter Conditions: Snow, Ice, and Delays
Winter weather presents its own set of challenges. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can lead to:
Hazardous Roads: Ice and snow make roads treacherous, especially in mountainous regions. Even with experienced drivers behind the wheel, it’s common for trucks to experience significant delays during snowstorms.
Mechanical Issues: Cold weather can also cause mechanical problems for both the transport truck and your vehicle. Battery failure, frozen fluids, and tire pressure issues are more common in cold weather, which means that transport drivers need to take extra precautions when hauling cars in wintry conditions.
Limited Accessibility: In rural or hard-to-reach areas, snow can make certain routes impassable, further delaying shipments. Transporters may need to take detours, adding time to the delivery schedule.
3. Heavy Rain: Slippery Roads and Limited Visibility
While rain may not seem as intimidating as snow or heat, heavy downpours can still wreak havoc on transport schedules. Here’s how:
Slower Speeds: Truck drivers need to slow down to maintain control in heavy rain, particularly when carrying large loads like multiple vehicles. This can lead to delays.
Visibility Issues: Heavy rain can also reduce visibility for transport drivers, making it difficult to navigate certain areas or drive during certain times of day. This increases the likelihood of delays, especially when rain is combined with fog.
Hydroplaning Risks: Wet roads increase the risk of hydroplaning, even for professional drivers. To avoid accidents, drivers may need to pull over during torrential downpours, further delaying your vehicle’s arrival.
4. Storms and Natural Disasters: Expect Significant Delays
Severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods pose the biggest threat to auto transport. In cases of severe storms, auto transport may be delayed by days or even weeks. Carriers need to consider:
Evacuation Routes: In the event of a hurricane or flood, many highways become evacuation routes. These are often closed to regular traffic, which can disrupt transport routes and lead to significant delays.
Truck Damage: While car carriers are built to be sturdy, they aren’t invincible. Strong winds or flash floods can pose a serious threat to transport trucks and the vehicles they carry. Carriers may need to wait for storms to pass or reroute altogether.
Port Closures: If you’re shipping a car overseas or using a coastal port, storms can cause ports to close for days at a time, which can delay pickups and deliveries.
5. How to Prepare for Weather-Related Delays
While weather is beyond anyone’s control, there are ways you can mitigate some of the issues that arise from it.
Plan for Flexibility: When booking auto transport, build in extra time for possible weather delays. Try not to schedule tight deadlines around the arrival of your vehicle.
Communicate with Your Broker: A good auto transport broker will keep you informed about any potential weather-related issues along the route. They’ll also work with the carriers to minimize delays.
Protect Your Vehicle: If you’re particularly concerned about weather affecting your vehicle, consider opting for an enclosed carrier. While this option is more expensive, it will protect your car from extreme weather conditions like snow, ice, or hail.
Absolutely! Here’s a paragraph you can add to the bottom of your blog to promote Simple Car Shipping:
At Simple Car Shipping, we understand that weather can throw a wrench into even the best-laid plans. That’s why we prioritize clear communication and reliable service, keeping you informed every step of the way. Whether you’re shipping during peak summer heat or winter storms, we work with experienced carriers to ensure your vehicle arrives safely and on time. With over five years of industry expertise, we’re dedicated to making your auto transport experience smooth and stress-free, no matter the weather. Ready to get started? Contact us today for a hassle-free quote!
While weather might be an unpredictable element in the auto transport process, understanding how different conditions can affect your shipment will help you plan ahead and make informed decisions. Whether you’re shipping a car in the height of summer or the depths of winter, being prepared for potential delays will ensure a smoother experience. At Simple Car Shipping, we prioritize transparency and communication, making sure you know what to expect every step of the way—even when Mother Nature throws a curveball.
References:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – Weather and Driving:
- National Weather Service (NWS) – Road Weather Impacts:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Driving in Bad Weather:
- Weather.com – How Weather Affects Road Safety:
Author Drew Levine: owner of Simple Car Shipping LLC