Should You Drive or Ship Car Across Country? Here’s What to Consider

January 8, 2018Car Shipping Essentials
Steven Rogers

Apart from sharing Captain America's name, our freelance writer Steven is also a big fan of moving, history, and geography.

If you’re wondering should you drive or ship car across country, the simple answer is to align your priorities and preferences. Surely, the first option is usually cheaper. However, many prefer the second one, and for more than one paramount reason. For any move that’s longer than 500 miles, your choice is quite obvious if your convenience is one of the prime factors. Now, we will explore the pros and cons of both driving and transportation services. Learn more about this topic and plan your relocation on time.

Give USA Auto Transport an Ask for a Free Quote

GET A QUOTE

Question of the Day: Should I Ship My Car or Drive?

Choosing the best way to transport your vehicle when moving depends on various factors. You should carefully consider your costs, but also, there’s more for you to keep in mind:

  • Think about the driving distance,
  • Consider the weather and overall conditions you will encounter based on the date of your move,
  • Be sure about the amount of time you have to spare during your relocation,
  • Don’t neglect the significance of your safety,
  • Think about your own comfort and convenience.

Whichever option you choose, find the way to keep it cost-effective.

Your safety should always come first when thinking about your options

Car Shipping Is the Best Option for Long Distance Relocations

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 grasp these crucial factors, you will be able to assess properly:

  • How much gas will you need,
  • Its price, based on miles per gallon,
  • The amount of time that will take you to get to your destination,
  • How much money you’ll spend on the road tolls.

Moreover, you must keep in mind that the prices of fuel vary from one city and town to another.
Letting a reliable company deal with transporting cars state-to-state often makes the most sense. Here’s how and why:

  • Your car would be safer and wouldn’t suffer any damage in the process,
  • You would arrive at your destination fresh and well-rested and up for the house-cleaning and unpacking processes,
  • The services you choose are pretty flexible, and the shipment would be made according to your requirements,
  • Companies in charge of car transportation would save you a lot of time (and stress,)
  • You’d have less paperwork on your hands.

Although DIY car shipments have their perks, leaving the hard work to the experts is usually the smartest solution. It is simpler, more efficient, faster, and safer. Nevertheless, if your budget doesn’t allow you to hire professionals, make sure to gather the necessary information before you get on the road. And take breaks frequently to stay rested and focused.

Hiring a company to get your car shipped is the most efficient, fastest, and safest alternative

Cross Country Moving and the Weather Conditions

It might seem obsolete to say it, but touring from one state to another during the winter is completely dissimilar to taking a trip in June. Consequently, the season of your move will unquestionably influence your decision to ship your car. This is especially accurate if you’re relocating to the northern parts of the US. 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. These conditions can cause you a lot of problems and result in considerable setbacks. Also, they 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. What’s more, being on the road for a long time in freezing temperatures will adversely affect your health and any delicate items you’re transporting to your new home.

What Is the Best Option?

Hiring a reliable company to transport your car across the country is a much more secure and more handy option 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. Your vehicle will be preserved from all the external elements if it’s shipped in an enclosed truck.

If you worry about the costs, you won’t have to after reading this. Car shipments are rather affordable as the business is less dynamic in the winter months. Since the demand for car transportation service is much lower than through the busy summer months, you can get an excellent service for a lower price.

Using an Open Trailer for Auto Transport

If you choose an enclosed trailer, you will likely need to pay a bit more. 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.

cars on top of a carrier
Using an open carrier is the most cost-effective solution

The Time You Have at Your Disposal

The amount of time you have for your relocation process is one of the decisive factors when it comes to hiring a car shipping company. Transporting your stuff and car across the country takes long, and you may not be able to spend a few days on the road. The whole trip across the states can last from a couple of days to an entire week. The exact duration depends on the distance to your destination, the road itself, weather conditions, possible traffic jams along your preferred route, and more.

Flying to your chosen destination and shipping your car with the help of trustworthy auto transport companies 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 and unpacking, finding a job, or registering your car in the new state.

You can use door-to-door transportation or choose terminal-to-terminal car shipping

Your Safety Should Always Come First

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.

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. In a much worse scenario, you may even fall asleep at the wheel, causing an accident. The extra miles will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on your vehicle, and the weather’s effects could also be very severe. Besides, your car will be sensitive to many menaces and security concerns, auto thefts included.

These are the reasons in favor of auto shipping as a much more secure way of transportation. Acquiring 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. Even if you are not the owner of 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.

Choosing an Enclosed Trailer to Ship Your Car

Discussing the pros of open vs enclosed carriers comes as an unavoidable part of every relocation. The enclosed auto transport comes with these perks:

  • Smooth loading and unloading,
  • Maximized safety,
  • High liability insurance coverage.
usa auto transport truck
Both open and enclosed trailers have their benefits

Convenience and Comfort

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 the popular car shows.

What to Do if You Choose to Drive Instead of Shipping?

If you pick to do everything yourself, you’re in for some serious planning and calculations:

  • Choosing the best route,
  • Planning to take the necessary breaks,
  • Booking hotels along the way,
  • Calculating all costs accurately.

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.

person preparing a car for the move
If you choose to drive the distance yourself, prepare everything you might need

Know Your Costs: Prepare the Budget Timely

Choosing to take a road trip implies these expenses:

  • The costs of the fuel – the average gasoline costs $2.18 per gallon,
  • Hotel or another lodging option – an average hotels costs around $100 per one night,
  • Food and other supplies – meals and drinks could cost up to $35 per person on a daily basis.

The costs of getting a car shipped are based on several factors:

  • The distance between your current location and your new address (or the terminals you chose),
  • Your vehicle type, its size and weight,
  • The car’s value,
  • Time of year (getting a car shipped off-season is much cheaper,)
  • Open or enclosed truck (enclosed carriers are more expensive,)
  • Whether your car is operable.

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.

money
Plan your budget according to the reliable information

Will You Drive or Ship Car Across Country?

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. Give it a try.

Get a Quote

    check mark
    Download as PDF

    Moving Checklist

    Get a Free Estimate 855.675.3451