When you need to move a car, There are really just two ways to do so. You can either drive the car to its destination or arrange for shipping. Obviously, you could pay someone else to drive the car, but that’s just a variation of option one. So, which one should you choose? The answer is not a simple one, so let’s discuss the pros and cons of both approaches.
Driving: The Pros
If you are simply moving your own vehicle to a new and distant home, this may be the best option for you. You will be able to pack the vehicle with personal items, which will save you at least a little money. Every item in the vehicle is one item that you don’t have to ship. Depending on the distance that you need to travel, this option might also be cheaper.
Another good thing about this option is that you can turn the whole thing into a fun and exciting road trip. It might be a good opportunity to visit some places on your bucket list. It’s also nice that you can move on your own schedule and take the trip at your own pace.
Driving: The Cons
Many people automatically assume that driving will be cheaper than shipping. However, that is not always the case. Because you will have to pay for gas, food, and probably lodging, a road trip might actually be more expensive. For shorter trips, driving is indeed the cheaper option, but a cross-country trip can cost quite a bit.
Long drives are physically and mentally exhausting, so that’s another downside. Also, we should consider the risk of vehicular trouble. A cross-country trip puts a lot of miles on your vehicle, and the chances of having car trouble at some point are reasonably high. If your vehicle does break down mid-trip, the whole endeavor will become much more expensive. Things can get even worse if the vehicle in question has poor gas mileage.
Shipping: The Pros
First of all, shipping has the advantage of being easy and convenient. A third party will handle most of the work, and this benefits you in several ways. You won’t have to make a long drive or put any miles on the vehicle. You won’t have to risk the possibility of being stranded in a strange place where you likely don’t know anyone. Also, your budgeting will be easier and more predictable since you aren’t paying for gas, food, tolls, etc. Shipping cars across the country involves specialized logistics and coordination, a vital aspect of the truck driving work that ensures vehicles reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
In many cases, shipping your car will also be cheaper. Again, it depends on the exact circumstances of your need. For instance, if you have sold or given a car to someone who lives a long way off, shipping will definitely be your best option. If you drive the car in such a situation, you’ll have to arrange a way back, which can be both aggravating and expensive. Most vehicle shipping companies offer free quotes, so it shouldn’t be hard to figure out the cost of shipping cars across country.
Shipping The Cons
There are at least a few potential downsides to consider here. First of all, shipping won’t be financially practical if you are making a relatively short move (i.e., just a state or two away). You also don’t want to leave personal items in the vehicle, as there is no way to guarantee their safety.
Shipping can also expose your vehicle to a small amount of weather damage. Most companies allow you to choose between open shipping (i.e., uncovered) and enclosed shipping (i.e., covered). However, in most weather conditions, this is not a particularly large concern. Another downside is the risk of shipping delays. There are many things that can cause shipping delays, and not all of them can be controlled.
Conclusion
As you can see, the best choice will often depend on your situation. However, shipping is generally a better option for cross-country transport. In fairness, if you just want to take a cross-country road trip anyway, this is a good excuse to do so. However, if you are looking for the most cost-effective option for long-distance vehicle transport, shipping is usually the better choice. We hope that this short overview has been helpful to you.
