Customer Reviews

How You Can Ship Your Car for Daytona’s Turkey Run

Posted on 01/23/2023


turkey-run-auto-transport
 

 

Shipping your car to Daytona, Florida

 
The “Turkey Run” is a biannual car show that occurs twice a year in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event includes the collector car show, “Turkey Run Nites” which is a night car show right in front of Daytona Speedway, a car corral, a swap meet and more. The car corral is where sellers can display vehicles they are selling and those in attendance will have the chance to buy or even trade for one of the vehicles on display. People also frequently trade parts and accessories at the swap meet. Daytona’s Turkey Run is the largest combined car show and swap meet in all the United States. Each year it is typically held during the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving and during the fourth weekend in March. Next year, 2024 will mark fifty years of Daytona’s Turkey Run which was first held back in 1974.
 
People attend the Turkey Run from all over the country and world. Thus, many people who are going to attend the show end up shipping their cars and taking a flight there. Not only is this a more time efficient and comfortable option, but it is also a safer and better option for the vehicle itself. If you have the ability to drive the car several hundred or thousand miles, why put all that extra mileage on it? If this is a car you intend to sell at the Turkey Run, that is the last thing you would want to do. In addition, when you drive long distances on highways and interstates you really risk scratches, dings, dents and chips occurring on your vehicle’s exterior. Again, whether you are just showing your car off or intend to try and sell it at the Turkey Run, you definitely don’t want any fresh damage occurring on the trip there.
 
That is why we recommend shipping your car to Daytona’s Turkey Run in an enclosed carrier. When you ship a valuable vehicle in an enclosed car carrier it will be protected from weather elements as well as any road debris. An enclosed car carrier trailer has walls and a roof so no outside elements can make contact with your vehicle.
 

turkey-run-infographic-roadrunner-auto-transport

 

How long will it take to ship my car to the Turkey Run?

 
Your biggest question likely is “How long will it take to ship my car to the Turkey Run?” Well, that is dependent on several things. The distance between the pickup location and Daytona Beach, how far in advance you book your car shipment and weather/traffic along the transit route will all play important roles in your shipment’s overall duration. We constructed the following table with origin points in major US cities to give you an idea what your transit time might be. Each estimated shipping duration was generated through our quote form using a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette with four weeks advance notice of the shipment:
 

Origin Location
Estimated Shipping Time to Daytona
Houston, Texas
3 – 5 Days
New York, New York
3 – 5 Days
Los Angeles, California
7 – 9 Days
Nashville, Tennessee
2 – 4 Days
Chicago, Illinois
3 – 5 Days


 
The reason that you get a range of days rather than an exact date is because of the impossible to predict factors such as weather and traffic. This is why legitimate car shipping companies cannot guarantee an exact drop-off date. Rather, they will give you a delivery window of two to three days. When it comes to the Turkey Run, we suggest ensuring that your delivery window ends before the Turkey Run festivities begin. You could even plan a bit of an extended vacation in Daytona Beach which has no shortage of great restaurants, beaches, boat tours and even an awesome hot rod museum.
 

How much will it cost to ship my car to the Turkey Run?

 
The overall cost to ship a vehicle to Daytona Beach’s Turkey Run is similar to the transit time when you ship a car because it will be dependent on several variables. The further you are shipping your car the more it will cost because it requires more labor, time and fuel to ship a car a longer distance than it does a shorter distance. How you choose to ship your vehicle also makes a difference. When you are booking your car shipment, you will be given several options:
 

  • Open air car shipping – This type of car shipping will always be your cheapest option. Your vehicle will ship on a car carrier with two decks and five to nine other cars per shipment. There is no roof and are no walls but the instance of damage occurring during these shipments is extremely rare.

  • Enclosed car shipping – This is the type of auto transport that occurs on a carrier with walls and a roof. There are usually fewer cars in these shipments but that is not always the case. Enclosed car shipping will add a few hundred dollars to your final cost.

  • Top-loading – Top-loading is when you choose to have your car placed on the top deck of an auto carrier instead of the bottom. The reason people sometime select this is out of fear that cars above theirs could leak fluid or oil onto their car. This option will add about a hundred dollars to your final cost.

 
Finally, how close to the day of your preferred pickup date that you book your shipment will likely impact price a bit. If you only book your shipment one or two weeks ahead of your preferred pickup date, you could end up paying a bit extra because spaces on the carriers could be limited and that’s when simple supply and demand sets in. We recommend scheduling your vehicle shipment at least four weeks in advance to avoid paying more than you need to.
 

How to prepare for your Daytona car shipment

 
Preparing to ship your car in an enclosed trailer versus on an open-air carrier is really not different at all. You will still need to get the exterior of the car cleaned and take all your personal items out. Both tasks are as simple and easy as they seem. The exterior of your car must be clean because the auto transport driver will need to conduct an inspection for preexisting damage. Your personal items like a watch, phone charger, glasses etc. must be removed because they are not covered by the car shipping insurance thus, they will not be covered in the event they are lost or damaged while the vehicle is in transit.
 
Another important part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are not booking your shipment too late either. You definitely want to be sure that your car will be arriving in Daytona Beach before the Turkey Run begins. So, we recommend that you start thinking about your shipment now, and book as soon as you can. As we mentioned, you should give a car shipper at least four weeks’ notice. With a potential for a one-to-two-week transit time, that means you should not book your shipment much later than the middle of February if you are attending the March Turkey Run.
 

Car shipping tips

 
If you are staying in a hotel while you are down in Daytona Beach, the car carrier might not be able to drop your car off at or in front of the hotel because of either space and/or local ordinances. So, you will need to mention this when you are booking your shipment. The car shipping representative that you are talking with over the phone will be able to work this out and arrange a nearby meeting place such as a mall parking lot where your car will be able to be dropped off without issue.
 
In terms of saving some money on your shipment, the sooner you book your shipment the better you will fare in terms of overall cost. You can also consider shipping on an open-air car carrier rather than in an enclosed carrier.
 
On top of removing all personal items, you should also remove any loose/detachable parts that are not part of the original vehicle. This can include but is not limited to roof racks, hub caps, spoilers etc. If you have specific questions about this, be sure to ask your car shipping representative when you are booking your shipment.
 
Finally, if you know you are just taking your car to the Turkey Run to display it rather than sell or trade it, you will need to get your car home too. This means you will likely want to consider shipping it back home as well. This will not be any different than shipping your car to Daytona Beach. You should give your auto transport company several weeks’ notice and you will need to have your car prepared the same way as well. We recommend discussing the return shipment with your car shipping representative when you are booking your initial shipment to Daytona beach.
 


 

Conclusion

 
Daytona’s Turkey Run is an extremely popular car show and swap meet that has been occurring twice annually for almost fifty years. It is a great opportunity to see some incredible classic cars and cars that have great customizations and modifications. It is also a great chance to buy a vehicle or swap parts/accessories. The upcoming Turkey Run will be held in Daytona on March 24 – 26, 2023. If you are planning to attend and participate and would like to have your vehicle shipped there, call us today at (888)777-2123 for a free quote or with any questions!

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1Shipment Details

How You Can Ship Your Car for Daytona’s Turkey Run

Posted on 01/23/2023


turkey-run-auto-transport
 

 

Shipping your car to Daytona, Florida

 
The “Turkey Run” is a biannual car show that occurs twice a year in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event includes the collector car show, “Turkey Run Nites” which is a night car show right in front of Daytona Speedway, a car corral, a swap meet and more. The car corral is where sellers can display vehicles they are selling and those in attendance will have the chance to buy or even trade for one of the vehicles on display. People also frequently trade parts and accessories at the swap meet. Daytona’s Turkey Run is the largest combined car show and swap meet in all the United States. Each year it is typically held during the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving and during the fourth weekend in March. Next year, 2024 will mark fifty years of Daytona’s Turkey Run which was first held back in 1974.
 
People attend the Turkey Run from all over the country and world. Thus, many people who are going to attend the show end up shipping their cars and taking a flight there. Not only is this a more time efficient and comfortable option, but it is also a safer and better option for the vehicle itself. If you have the ability to drive the car several hundred or thousand miles, why put all that extra mileage on it? If this is a car you intend to sell at the Turkey Run, that is the last thing you would want to do. In addition, when you drive long distances on highways and interstates you really risk scratches, dings, dents and chips occurring on your vehicle’s exterior. Again, whether you are just showing your car off or intend to try and sell it at the Turkey Run, you definitely don’t want any fresh damage occurring on the trip there.
 
That is why we recommend shipping your car to Daytona’s Turkey Run in an enclosed carrier. When you ship a valuable vehicle in an enclosed car carrier it will be protected from weather elements as well as any road debris. An enclosed car carrier trailer has walls and a roof so no outside elements can make contact with your vehicle.
 

turkey-run-infographic-roadrunner-auto-transport

 

How long will it take to ship my car to the Turkey Run?

 
Your biggest question likely is “How long will it take to ship my car to the Turkey Run?” Well, that is dependent on several things. The distance between the pickup location and Daytona Beach, how far in advance you book your car shipment and weather/traffic along the transit route will all play important roles in your shipment’s overall duration. We constructed the following table with origin points in major US cities to give you an idea what your transit time might be. Each estimated shipping duration was generated through our quote form using a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette with four weeks advance notice of the shipment:
 

Origin Location
Estimated Shipping Time to Daytona
Houston, Texas
3 – 5 Days
New York, New York
3 – 5 Days
Los Angeles, California
7 – 9 Days
Nashville, Tennessee
2 – 4 Days
Chicago, Illinois
3 – 5 Days


 
The reason that you get a range of days rather than an exact date is because of the impossible to predict factors such as weather and traffic. This is why legitimate car shipping companies cannot guarantee an exact drop-off date. Rather, they will give you a delivery window of two to three days. When it comes to the Turkey Run, we suggest ensuring that your delivery window ends before the Turkey Run festivities begin. You could even plan a bit of an extended vacation in Daytona Beach which has no shortage of great restaurants, beaches, boat tours and even an awesome hot rod museum.
 

How much will it cost to ship my car to the Turkey Run?

 
The overall cost to ship a vehicle to Daytona Beach’s Turkey Run is similar to the transit time when you ship a car because it will be dependent on several variables. The further you are shipping your car the more it will cost because it requires more labor, time and fuel to ship a car a longer distance than it does a shorter distance. How you choose to ship your vehicle also makes a difference. When you are booking your car shipment, you will be given several options:
 

  • Open air car shipping – This type of car shipping will always be your cheapest option. Your vehicle will ship on a car carrier with two decks and five to nine other cars per shipment. There is no roof and are no walls but the instance of damage occurring during these shipments is extremely rare.

  • Enclosed car shipping – This is the type of auto transport that occurs on a carrier with walls and a roof. There are usually fewer cars in these shipments but that is not always the case. Enclosed car shipping will add a few hundred dollars to your final cost.

  • Top-loading – Top-loading is when you choose to have your car placed on the top deck of an auto carrier instead of the bottom. The reason people sometime select this is out of fear that cars above theirs could leak fluid or oil onto their car. This option will add about a hundred dollars to your final cost.

 
Finally, how close to the day of your preferred pickup date that you book your shipment will likely impact price a bit. If you only book your shipment one or two weeks ahead of your preferred pickup date, you could end up paying a bit extra because spaces on the carriers could be limited and that’s when simple supply and demand sets in. We recommend scheduling your vehicle shipment at least four weeks in advance to avoid paying more than you need to.
 

How to prepare for your Daytona car shipment

 
Preparing to ship your car in an enclosed trailer versus on an open-air carrier is really not different at all. You will still need to get the exterior of the car cleaned and take all your personal items out. Both tasks are as simple and easy as they seem. The exterior of your car must be clean because the auto transport driver will need to conduct an inspection for preexisting damage. Your personal items like a watch, phone charger, glasses etc. must be removed because they are not covered by the car shipping insurance thus, they will not be covered in the event they are lost or damaged while the vehicle is in transit.
 
Another important part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are not booking your shipment too late either. You definitely want to be sure that your car will be arriving in Daytona Beach before the Turkey Run begins. So, we recommend that you start thinking about your shipment now, and book as soon as you can. As we mentioned, you should give a car shipper at least four weeks’ notice. With a potential for a one-to-two-week transit time, that means you should not book your shipment much later than the middle of February if you are attending the March Turkey Run.
 

Car shipping tips

 
If you are staying in a hotel while you are down in Daytona Beach, the car carrier might not be able to drop your car off at or in front of the hotel because of either space and/or local ordinances. So, you will need to mention this when you are booking your shipment. The car shipping representative that you are talking with over the phone will be able to work this out and arrange a nearby meeting place such as a mall parking lot where your car will be able to be dropped off without issue.
 
In terms of saving some money on your shipment, the sooner you book your shipment the better you will fare in terms of overall cost. You can also consider shipping on an open-air car carrier rather than in an enclosed carrier.
 
On top of removing all personal items, you should also remove any loose/detachable parts that are not part of the original vehicle. This can include but is not limited to roof racks, hub caps, spoilers etc. If you have specific questions about this, be sure to ask your car shipping representative when you are booking your shipment.
 
Finally, if you know you are just taking your car to the Turkey Run to display it rather than sell or trade it, you will need to get your car home too. This means you will likely want to consider shipping it back home as well. This will not be any different than shipping your car to Daytona Beach. You should give your auto transport company several weeks’ notice and you will need to have your car prepared the same way as well. We recommend discussing the return shipment with your car shipping representative when you are booking your initial shipment to Daytona beach.
 


 

Conclusion

 
Daytona’s Turkey Run is an extremely popular car show and swap meet that has been occurring twice annually for almost fifty years. It is a great opportunity to see some incredible classic cars and cars that have great customizations and modifications. It is also a great chance to buy a vehicle or swap parts/accessories. The upcoming Turkey Run will be held in Daytona on March 24 – 26, 2023. If you are planning to attend and participate and would like to have your vehicle shipped there, call us today at (888)777-2123 for a free quote or with any questions!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.


When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time - so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available in order to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn't add much additional weight.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inpoerable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accomodate a non-running vehicle.

We offer open car shipping and enclosed car shipping services. Open car shipping is used much more frequently and is the type of auto transport that you see on the highway where carriers are hauling vehicles on two decks that are exposed. Enclosed car shipping is when your vehicle is shipped in a trailer which has walls and a roof, they look like a larger version of a regular eighteen-wheeler. This method is recommended for luxury, exotic or classic cars.

Door-to-door car transport is the full service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to safely reach your door. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.