If you’re planning on moving to a new state and taking your car with you, you have two options: drive it or ship it. Which way should you go? Keep reading to find out! The decision will likely depend on how far you are traveling and how much time and money you want to spend getting your vehicle from point A to point B. Both methods have their pros and cons, but if you can find a way to make them work together, it might be the best option of all!
Driving your car vs. car shipping across country – Which is best?
There’s a lot to think about when you’re moving across the country. Should you drive your car or ship it? If you’re trying to decide what’s best for you, here are a few things to consider. You’ll have more flexibility and control if you choose to drive your car. But this option can be expensive and is not ideal if you need to move quickly.
Shipping will save time and money, but there may be hidden costs that could catch you off guard. Decide which option works best for your needs – then hire movers to help make sure everything goes smoothly!
Whether you decide to drive or ship your car, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Hire professional movers to help with packing and unpacking tasks so you can focus on driving or shipping.
Most importantly, take care of yourself during a stressful time. Plan ahead with these tips so your relocation is smooth and stress-free!
1) How much does your destination charge for licensing fees in order to register your vehicle in their state?
2) Do you want to purchase new insurance for your vehicle once it reaches its destination?
3) What other personal belongings would you like transported with your vehicle from one location to another?
4) Would you like professional movers help pack and unpack boxes while moving house or just at the final destination?
5) Will someone else be doing all the driving for you?
6) Are any family members coming along on the journey?
7) Where will your vehicle stay at night once it arrives at its destination (on a public street, in an enclosed garage)?
8) Will you need to transport your vehicle back home once you’ve completed your relocation?
9) Have you budgeted enough funds for unexpected expenses associated with this process?
10) How long do you plan on living in your new city or town before going back home again?
If you don’t know where to start, look for a professional mover who will help walk you through your options. Make sure to have all of your questions answered so that you can make an informed decision. Above all else, remember that there is no right or wrong answer – it’s simply a matter of personal preference!
Wear and tear
Driving your car across country can add a lot of wear and tear to your vehicle. If you’re planning on making a long move, it might be worth considering shipping your car instead. That way, you can avoid putting extra mileage on your car and possibly damaging it during the move.
You’ll also save money on gas and will have an easier time finding parking in the new city. The cost for shipping a car typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000. On top of that, there are fees for renting cars when you get to your destination. Which could end up costing more than the shipping fee!
All these factors make it seem like driving your car is just not worth the trouble. Shipping a car takes care of all those issues and makes everything much simpler. Plus, if you live in an area where extreme weather conditions may lead to flooding or heavy snow, driving may not be an option at all!
Decrease in value
The average car loses about 10% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. After a year, that number jumps to 20%. So, if you’re planning on selling your car after your move, it’s probably not worth driving it cross-country. If you don’t plan on selling it and have a reliable vehicle, then driving might be an option for you.
Just make sure you take into account the cost of gas, which can vary by state. The cost of oil changes (which should be done every 3 months), the cost of repairs, parking fees and tolls. Not to mention, there are serious security concerns when driving across country with your personal belongings in tow.
Plus, you’ll need someone to ride along with you for at least part of the way. We’ve heard some horror stories from drivers who’ve had breakdowns in far-flung places! What’s more, before long your car will start looking like home – covered in all sorts of postcards and photos. It’ll also become a space where people can leave messages for you and let you know how they feel about your upcoming move.
In other words, transporting your car is a sentimental journey that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Sure, shipping may seem easier because it doesn’t require an accompanying driver. But think about how much time and money you’ll save over the course of your trip by avoiding costly accidents and delays due to breakdowns!
Ease and convenience
Driving your car across country may be the most convenient option since you can pack up your belongings and hit the road whenever you’re ready. You won’t have to worry about coordinating schedules with a shipping company or dealing with paperwork. Plus, you can make stops along the way and take your time on the journey.
The downside is that driving cross-country is expensive because it will cost you more for gas, tolls, and other expenses. The other issue is that if anything goes wrong with your vehicle in transit (like an accident). You’ll have to rely on roadside assistance from a different state rather than local emergency services. Shipping your car has its own set of pros and cons:
Shipping might be cheaper, but it could also take longer. If you are having any major work done on your vehicle before shipping it. Like changing the engine or transmission, you may want to consider driving instead of shipping because the work could cause unexpected delays when transporting. However, if you need only minor fixes done and are able to ship your car in a crate. Then shipping may be worth considering. It all depends on what kind of vehicle you have, how much stuff you need to bring with you, and where you plan on settling down at the end of your trip.
Safety of you and your car
The most important consideration when deciding whether to drive or ship your car is safety. If you’re driving, you’ll be on the road for days, which can be tiring and dangerous. Shipping your car means it will be out of your control during transit, but you can rest assured that it will be properly secured and insured.
What’s more, shipping your car gives you an opportunity to take a short break before tackling the rigors of unpacking. It also frees up space in your vehicle so you don’t have to worry about renting a truck while moving across country! But then again, if you’re looking to save money, driving may be a better option for you.
One final thing to consider is how far away from your destination city the company with whom you want to ship your car will actually deliver it. If they won’t deliver all the way into town, then you may need additional help with transportation once there.
The benefits of hiring an auto transport company
Hiring an auto transport company to ship your car across country has several benefits.
First, it’s less expensive than driving the car yourself.
Second, it’s more convenient- you can fly to your new home and have your car delivered right to your door.
Third, it’s safer- your car will be insured against any damage that may occur during transport.
Fourth, it saves wear and tear on your car- especially if you’re making a long trip.
Fifth, it reduces the amount of time your car is sitting in a parking lot before you even start moving- this can save money because sometimes cars get damaged while they are parked for weeks at a time.
Sixth, with some companies, you won’t even need to pack up all of your belongings because they offer full packing services for customers who use their transportation services.
Seventh, these companies provide competitive rates with no hidden fees which means that you’ll know exactly what are the upfront costs.
Eighth, shipping your car can also be tax deductible depending on how much you make and what part of the country you live in.
Ninth, by hiring a professional auto transport company to move your vehicle cross country, you reduce the risk of getting pulled over by law enforcement while transporting your vehicle- an officer could issue fines or worse yet arrest someone just trying to do something as simple as move across country.
The main reason that hiring an auto transport company to move your car across country is cheaper than driving it yourself is because you don’t have to pay for gas. If you have to drive your car across country, you’ll have to stop and fill up every few hours. That can add up quickly- especially if you are covering a long distance on a road trip like we’ve been talking about here.
Safer for you and your family
Driving your car across country may be the more traditional method, but it’s not always the safest. If you’re moving with young children or elderly family members, it’s better to ship your car so that everyone can travel together in comfort.
Plus, if you’re driving a long distance, you’re more likely to experience car trouble than if you ship your vehicle. And shipping your car means you won’t have to deal with one of the most dreaded tasks when moving: packing and unpacking all of your personal belongings.
In addition, if you’re using a trailer for transportation (the preferred method for vehicles), then shipping is the only option available because there is no way to tow a trailer from one state to another without registering it in both states.
Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to get your car registered again at the DMV before driving on any public roads. However, there are certain restrictions on which cars can legally drive across country and this could limit where you want to go or how quickly you get there.
For example, in order to drive a newer car across country, it must meet emission standards set by the EPA under California’s Air Resources Board. Any car manufactured after 1976 will have an EPA sticker showing its emission rating.
So if you live in Washington State and you’re looking to move to Florida. Consider either renting a truck or buying a cheap older car rather than driving your new car across country. The same goes for gas-powered trucks – they cannot be driven across the country unless they were built after 1989 and use E85 fuel. These rules vary by state, so do some research before taking off!
Multiple car shipping is an option
If you’re moving across the country, you may be wondering whether it’s better to drive your car or ship it. While driving may be the cheaper option, shipping your car can actually save you time and hassle. Plus, with multiple car shipping, you can have all your vehicles shipped at once, making the process even easier. It is usually less expensive per vehicle for multiple cars than for one.
Let’s say you decide to drive your car from LA to Seattle. On the one hand, if you are on a tight budget, driving will cost much less in gas and wear-and-tear on your vehicle. On the other hand, if something goes wrong during your journey (say, a tire blows out). Then not only will that delay getting there but also means replacing parts and taking more time off work for repairs.
Meanwhile, if you were to get into an accident or break down en route and need roadside assistance. A tow truck would likely charge $200-$300 for each hour of service. And finally, since most people aren’t accustomed to long road trips alone, it might take a toll on your mental health.
Reliable and professional service
There are many reliable and professional car shipping companies that can transport your vehicle across the country for you. This is a great option if you don’t have the time or ability to drive your car yourself.
Plus, it can give you peace of mind knowing that your car is in good hands and will arrive at your destination safely. The downside to this service is that they may not be able to get your car there as quickly as you could if you drove it yourself. However, if you’re looking for a low-cost alternative, this might be just what you need!
Attractive rates and discounts
Many people choose to ship their car when moving across country because it is more affordable than driving. Gas prices are expensive, and the cost of food and lodging can add up quickly when driving. Plus, you can take advantage of discounts and special rates when you ship your car.
A recent survey by Direct Express Auto revealed that 85% of people who shipped a vehicle in the past three years were happy with the decision they made. And this figure jumps up to 95% for those respondents who had shipped more than once in the last three years!
Many other companies offer great deals on shipping as well.
A Quick Wrap
Moving is a pain, whether you’re driving or shipping your car. But which is the better option when you’re moving across country? It depends on a few factors. If you’re driving, you’ll have the freedom to explore your new surroundings and make stops along the way. But if you’re shipping your car, it will arrive safely at your new home without any extra wear and tear. Ultimately, the decision comes down to cost, time, and convenience.