Is it Cheaper to Drive or Ship a Car Across Country
Are you moving across the country? Or, perhaps are you going on a long vacation, keeping you away from home for a month or more? Or, did you maybe just buy a car from a dealership or auction that is located states away from you? Whatever the scenario might be, if you find yourself in a position debating on shipping a car vs driving a car, this guide will break down the question for you, leaving you to know which option is best for you. There are pros and cons to either choice. We will lay all of the information out for you so you can confidently answer your questions, “should I drive or ship my car?” and “what is the most cost effective way to transport a car?”
When You Might Consider Driving the Car Yourself
There are a few circumstances that may lead you to simply driving the car yourself. Most often, folks decide to drive their vehicle themselves if the distance is not too long. We find that this typically occurs with trips that are less than 500 miles long. However, you may also be leaning towards driving the vehicle yourself if you are seeking a more budget-friendly move. Often, we hear of people driving their car themselves as well in order to experience the adventure of the journey. You can easily turn a move or a car pick-up into a once in a lifetime road trip. If you are an adventure seeker, driving your car might be the right choice for you.
When It Makes Sense to Ship a Car Instead
Now, it is important to note that you can ship your car at any time, even for those shorter distance drives that are less than 500 miles. With that said, we understand that is not always the best option for everyone. However, when the drive is longer than that, requiring drivers to be in their car for hundreds of miles and several days, it typically makes more sense to simply opt to ship your car instead! This is not the only factor we find folks considering though when deciding to ship their cars.
Another factor to consider is your time. It can take a lot of time to drive your vehicle yourself. You can spend days, even weeks, sitting in your car just driving. It can be exhausting and waste your precious time that would be better spent elsewhere. If you have a tight schedule and cannot afford to lose time in a drive, then shipping is better for you. Shipping your car allows you to continue on with your life until it comes time for you to arrive at your destination. For example, you can have your car shipped while you continue packing for your move. Then, when you are ready to move, you can fly while your car finishes its own journey to the new house.
Furthermore, shipping may be better if you have a luxury, classic, or fragile car that you need to move. Some car owners want to save on their vehicle’s miles. They do not want to risk engine damage by overworking the car with long distance drives. They also may not want to have their car exposed to the natural elements they might encounter on a long distance drive. If you find yourself feeling this way, we suggest you ship your vehicle.
Comparing Costs – Shipping vs. Driving
In order to answer the question, “is it cheaper to drive or ship my car across the country?” you must consider that there are multiple levels of cost to factor in for either option.
Shipping Cost
When it comes to shipping your vehicle, the first and most obvious cost is the shipping itself. The shipping cost will depend on what shipping service you choose for your vehicle (i.e. open or enclosed auto transportation) and the length of the shipping service. Open auto transportation is the cheapest shipping option we offer. The longer your service is, the higher the cost will be. For an accurate estimate at what your shipping service would cost, you can contact our team and receive a free price quote.
In addition to the shipping itself, if you are moving or needing to follow the vehicle at all, you also need to factor in the cost of your own transportation, such as flying and any costs connected with that. This could mean the cost of traveling to and from the airport as well.
Driving Cost
Driving your vehicle may sound less expensive, but if the trip is long, a number of factors may add up to a higher price than car shipping. When you drive your vehicle rather than ship it, you will have to consider the cost of gasoline (which varies depending on which states you drive through), hotels for when you have to stop for the night, and food for when you have to eat on the road.
Additionally, you have to consider an emergency cost that may arise in the case of an emergency while driving. Driving longer distances increases the possibility of issues arising for your car. Depending on where the drive takes you, you may also be stuck dealing with a car emergency in the middle of nowhere. If this happens, you have limited repair options and may get stuck paying a high fee to fix your vehicle. It is important to note as well that long distance drives cost you more than money. They can cost you time too. For some, this means you are unable to work, which means you could be losing money in order to drive your car.
Is It Worth Shipping a Car?
Based on what we have discussed, the answer to this question is simple: it is a case by case situation. If your vehicle needs to travel a short distance, then driving your vehicle is likely worth it for you. If your vehicle needs to travel a longer distance, then shipping your vehicle is likely worth it for you. However, there are always more factors to consider as well. We hope we have helped you understand the pros and cons of driving or shipping your car and you now know whether you should ship or drive your car. If you are ready to schedule your auto shipping service, get started today with Global Auto Transportation!
