Canada to the Indian River: the 6-month winter, sorted
Canadian snowbirds get up to six months in the United States per visit, and most spend it in one place. That makes a house with a kitchen, a laundry, a dock and no shared walls a very different proposition from a rented condo — and it's why our longest bookings, four to six months, are usually Canadian.
I-75 from Detroit or Buffalo, then across central Florida to I-95
Day 1 — cross and run south
Toronto via Windsor/Detroit onto I-75, or via Buffalo onto I-90/I-79/I-77. Either way, target Lexington, Knoxville or Chattanooga — 600 to 700 miles. Have passports and vehicle insurance papers in the door pocket, not the trunk.
Day 2 — through Atlanta to the coast
I-75 past Atlanta to Wildwood, Turnpike east, SR 528, I-95 south to Exit 156. Long day, about 700 miles. Split it in Valdosta if you'd rather arrive fresh.
Where to break the trip
- Lexington, KYComfortable first night out of Toronto via Detroit.
- Chattanooga, TNPuts Atlanta behind you early on day two.
- Valdosta, GATurns a brutal second day into two easy ones.
Three airports, and the one you probably want
75 minutes away. Nonstops from YYZ, YUL and YOW all winter on Air Canada, WestJet and Flair.
35 minutes. Worth checking for seasonal Canadian service.
2 hours south. Sometimes the better winter fare from Toronto.
Full drive times and pickup notes are on the airports and getting here page.
What Ontario & Quebec guests tell us afterwards
- Four to six month blocks are welcome and priced for it — $3,750 a month November through April, cleaning included.
- A whole house, not a condo: your own laundry, your own kitchen, your own dock, no elevator and no HOA desk.
- Barefoot Bay is three miles south and full of Canadians — pickleball, lawn bowling, golf and two pools.
- Health First's Palm Bay and Melbourne hospitals are 20 to 30 minutes away, which most travel-insurance policies want to know.
Winter rates, cleaning included
From Ontario & Quebec, most often
How long can Canadians stay?
Generally up to six months per entry as a visitor, and Canadian residency rules on absences are separate from that. Check current CBSA and CBP guidance before booking a long block — we'll hold dates while you confirm.
Do you price in Canadian dollars?
Rates are in US dollars. For a six-month block, ask us for a direct quote by email — no platform service fee means the exchange hit lands on a smaller number.
Can we bring the dog for the whole winter?
Yes — up to two dogs, $100 each for the stay, $200 each on stays of 28 nights or more. Dogs stay off the furniture and beds, and we don't provide crates or dog towels.
More in the full FAQ and the month-by-month snowbird guide.
Long-stay guests rate us 4.83★
4.83★ on Airbnb (40) · 9.2/10 on VRBO (15) · 55 verified stays · 100% response rate
“The dock was perfect, had a lot of space, and we even fished a couple of times and caught some fish.”
“We especially loved having access to the private dock, and the open floor plan made the space feel comfortable and inviting.”
“We loved the panoramic view of the river and being able to walk out on the dock”