Wondering if you should drive or ship a car across the country? The simple answer is to align your priorities and preferences. But for any move that’s longer than 500 miles, the choice is quite obvious – that is, if your convenience is one of the prime factors. To make your relocation smoother, let’s explore the pros and cons of both driving and transportation services.
Did you know there are 280 million registered vehicles in the US? Moreover, many families, as much as 37% have at least two cars. Even without these staggering numbers, it’s clear that our wheels aren’t just a luxury – they’re a lifeline.
Just imagine a day without your prized ride – no grocery runs, spontaneous road trips, or even that quick dash to grab a coffee. Impossible!
So, when it’s time to move, taking your four-wheeler with you is usually the way to go. Shipping cars in the USA is a task that comes with plenty of choices. First off, you need to figure out the best way to transport your vehicle when moving. This depends on various factors. You should carefully consider your costs, but also, there’s more for you to keep in mind:
Sure, it’s important to find the most cost-effective way, but the right decision can only be made by considering all of the aforementioned factors. Balancing these aspects ensures a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable relocation experience. After all, your peace of mind is just as valuable as your wallet.
When you need to move a car to another state, one of the first things you’ll have to consider is how long your way to the chosen destination is. When doing so, you can’t do the correct calculations if you only count the miles from your current location to your new home.
The road you’d take is not a simple, straight line. You would have to get a detailed map of all the famous routes in the US that you’d be taking. Once you’ve got the route outlined, you will be able to assess properly:
For example, crossing the country from Florida to California is give-or-take 2,700 miles. This means you’ll need to drive more than 40 hours in total, which will take you about a week, given you will need rest. If the average price of gas is $3.50 per gallon, you’ll need close to $400 just to keep it running, not including toll costs and other expenses.
Besides tackling the relocation in a form of a road trip, you’ve always got the option of letting professionals take the lead. When you put the numbers to paper, letting a reliable company deal with transporting cars state-to-state often makes the most sense. Here’s how and why:
Honestly, a lot of people choose this route to save themselves the hassle. There’s a good reason why there are almost 5,000 auto transport businesses in the US! Although the DIY-route has its perks, leaving the hard work to the experts is usually the smartest solution. It is simpler, more efficient, faster, and safer.
Obviously, it’s quite different to tour from one state to another during winter than to take a trip in June. Consequently, the season of your move should influence your decision to ship your car.
There’s a good reason why almost half of all moves are planned during the summer. The unfavorable weather during the winter can make driving quite challenging. You would have to watch out for the cold winds, heavy snow, icy roads, and possibly deal with a frozen car door.
Also, extreme conditions can represent high risks to your car and your own safety, even if you’re a proud owner of one of the best vehicles for off-road drives. It can be challenging for any driver out there, but luckily, there are businesses that do this kind of thing for a living.
Hiring reliable professionals, such as the USA Auto Transport company, is a much more secure option, especially during the cold season. You will bypass any possible difficulties caused by poor road conditions. Also, you will travel quickly and easily to your brand-new address.
If it’s shipped in an enclosed truck, your vehicle will be preserved from all the external elements. During wintertime, car shipments are also rather affordable as the business is less dynamic during the colder months. It’s the perfect time to get an excellent service for a lower price.
If you choose an enclosed trailer, you will likely need to pay a bit more, even during the winter. This type of transportation is by far the safest one, but it does come with a substantial impact on your relocation costs.
If your budget simply doesn’t allow you to pick this alternative, you should consider the advantages of using an open carrier. Your auto would still get to the destination you choose safely and timely, and it is the most affordable option. Furthermore, you can even ship multiple vehicles at the same time.
Different surveys show that plenty of people find moving to be one of the most stressful events in their life. In fact, about 60% think it’s more anxiety-inducing than starting a new job or getting divorce.
A big reason why relocation is so stressful is because of the fact it demands so much time. There’s so much to do, and it seems like there’s never enough time. This should be one of the decisive factors when it comes to hiring a car shipping company.
The whole trip across the states can last from a couple of days to an entire week. The exact duration depends on, of course, the distance, but it also depends on the road itself, weather conditions, possible traffic jams along your preferred route, and more. There are so many factors at play.
Flying to your chosen destination and shipping your car with the help of a trustworthy company will allow you to do everything you have planned for the days after the move. Using door-to-door auto transport is usually the best option. It gives you the most time for other significant things, such as deep cleaning the house, unpacking, finding a job, or registering your car in the new state.
Along with the safety of your vehicle, your and your family members’ personal safety must be your top priority when planning a cross-country move. When taking safety into consideration, there are clear differences between the two routes.
If you choose to drive the whole length solo, you could put a lot at stake. Firstly, your car may break down in the middle of nowhere. In that case, you will need to be fully equipped and able to tell if the clutch is bad or whether your water pump isn’t working properly. Besides, the extra miles will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on your vehicle, and the weather’s effects could also be very severe.
Compared to that, auto shipping is a much more secure way of transportation. Reliable car transportation services will minimize the negative effects of all external factors on your vehicle, reduce the chance of accidents, and shield your car from bad weather. Here, you have another consideration – the pros and cons of open vs enclosed carriers. The enclosed auto transport comes with these perks:
Even if you do not own one of the most expensive cars in the world, you should consider having your car shipped in an enclosed truck for maximum safety. The extra cost is certainly worth it – and that’s the most helpful advice for getting your car shipped you will read.
Some people choose to buy popular import cars to increase their comfort. If you are keen on convenience, there’s an easy way to achieve it. Getting behind the wheel, playing your favorite music, and making rest stops whenever you please can be quite enjoyable.
But still, if we count on the inevitable stress caused by the relocation, the entire experience might not actually look like those you’ve seen in popular car shows. Chances are, it won’t be like those road trip movies that end with the realization about how it was never about the destination, but the journey.
If you pick to do everything yourself, you’re in for some serious planning and calculations:
You must also know what to keep in your car. Besides the essentials and the road trip survival kit, you must have your trunk packed with tools – as if your automobile will certainly break down several times. Taking extra precautions is a key part of DIY car relocation.
In addition to it, you should do some washing and cleansing before the move. Start with cleaning your seat belts, keeping your headliners clean, and removing any dirt from inside the car, like dog hair for instance. Of course, you need to prepare the four-wheeler for shipping too, but it will generally be a less stressful ordeal.
Last but not least – let’s talk money. The budget should definitely be an important part of the whole equation. Choosing to take a road trip implies these expenses:
On the other hand, hiring an auto transport company comes with its own expenses. The costs of getting a car shipped are based on several factors:
If you’re wondering if you should tip the movers, keep their overall efforts, punctuality, and other conditions they’ve had to deal with in mind. If you feel like they’ve done a good job, they’re more than deserving of it. After all, this whole ordeal wouldn’t be possible without them.
According to an extensive study conducted by Statista, reasons for moving mainly vary according to age. Still, changes in marital status, establishing one’s household, and relocating for work are the most common reasons. Whichever is your motivation and whichever was the criteria that helped you determine where to move, you must plan the procedure according to your needs and possibilities.
Determining how you will get your vehicle shipped is paramount. You will need to use it upon your arrival at the chosen destination, and you will want it unharmed. If you choose the most reliable car shipping company, you will have a stress-free and comfortable experience. Moreover, you will reach your destination safely and timely. Contact us at USA Auto Transport – we can handle your ride with expert care, no matter if it’s an open or an enclosed trailer. After all, we do this for a living.
