When it’s time for that big cross-country move, bags packed and ready to go, every mover then has to answer the big question: Should I ship or drive a car across country?
Deciding to drive your car would require more physical effort, financial sacrifice, and accident liability on your part. Or, you could hire a car transport company, which is stress-free, saves more time, and is more cost-effective.
That said, the choice you make depends on a number of important factors, like distance, cost, the type of vehicle, and so on. To make an informed decision, you’ll need to understand how each factor affects the car shipping process.
Quick Glance
- Shipping saves time, reduces stress, and avoids vehicle wear.
- Driving costs include fuel, lodging, food, and major maintenance.
- Shipping costs: $1,000–$2,500 depending on trailer type and distance.
- Driving long-distance can exceed $4,500 after all expenses.
- Shipping protects your car from mileage and mechanical strain.
What Are the Costs of Driving vs the Costs of Shipping a Car?
When calculating the cost to ship or drive a car across the country, you might only consider factors like distance and fuel prices. But to truly answer the question “Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car across the country?” we have to consider other unique factors that contribute heavily to their overall cost. Some of which you may not have thought about.
Costs of driving
Aside from the obvious fatigue that comes with driving a car across the country, there are many other financial costs to consider. Let’s go through them.
Fuel costs
If you’re driving your car cross-country, the distance of your journey will determine how much you spend on fuel. For instance, driving from New York to California could cost you $326-$633 for the 2,866-mile journey at current premium gas prices, depending on your type of car.
It’s also advisable to add an extra 10-20% to that cost to account for possible traffic, detours, or extra cargo weight. That means, in total, you’ll have to budget $400-$800 to fuel your move. Also, keep in mind that gas prices fluctuate and vary from state to state.
Lodging and accommodation
If you can’t drive straight through, you’ll need to budget for hotels or motels. The cost of an economy hotel or motel can range from $60-$150 per night, while a mid-range option can go as high as $250 per night. However, hotel and motel prices can vary depending on their location, time of year, and comfort level.
In total, a 3-4 day trip from Nevada to Pennsylvania, for example, could see you spend anywhere from $100-$750 on lodgings. That would depend on where you stop and at what time of the year.
Food and drinks
This one can be ignored when you’re budgeting for a long drive, but it can easily cost hundreds. An average fast food meal can cost almost $12 per meal in larger U.S. cities, while a sit-down restaurant meal ranges from $20-$40. Add snacks and drinks to the mix, and your budget for a 3-4 day trip is $150-$300 per person.
Maintenance and wear-and-tear
A cross-country trip puts heavy mileage on your vehicle, so maintenance throughout the trip must be considered. When you consider oil changes, fluid checks, tire wear, brake wear, and unexpected repairs or roadside problems, the total maintenance costs can easily exceed $500 on a long trip.
The effects of wear on the resale value of your car also can’t be understated. Your car’s value could depreciate by $0.10-$0.20 per mile, depending on the make/model. On a 1,601-mile drive from Montana to Texas, your car could lose up to $320 in value.
Insurance and liability
You will need to check whether your auto insurance covers long-distance travel or rental replacements if you break down. If not, you should consider temporary coverage upgrades. If you’re traveling through high-risk areas, you might also consider roadside assistance.
Costs of shipping a car
The cost of hiring a car shipping company depends on numerous factors, like the method of shipping, the type of transport, and the shipping distance. However, it is usually very affordable. Here are the factors contributing to shipping costs.
Carrier type
There are many ways to ship your car, and each method has its own cost. Your options include:
- Open carrier transport: $1,000-$1,600
- Enclosed carrier transport: $1,800–$2,500
These costs can vary based on factors such as distance, your vehicle’s weight, condition, demand, and more.
Pickup and delivery method
The two delivery methods are terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door. Terminal delivery is cheaper but requires you to drive your car to a designated terminal for shipping. In total, you can save about $100-$300 if you opt for terminal services over door-to-door.
Vehicle condition
If you have a non-running vehicle, you’ll have to pay extra for shipping because special equipment and labor are required to hoist the car onto the trailer. Typically, having an inoperable vehicle will add $100-$200 to your total shipping fees.
Vehicle size
Auto carriers have strict weight and space limits per trailer, so the size of your vehicle is a key cost factor. Shipping companies could charge more to transport larger vehicles, such as SUVs and sedans. However, shipping a compact car should incur no extra costs.
Distance
This is one of the most important factors influencing car shipping costs, as prices are typically calculated per mile. That means the further you go, the higher the total cost and the lower the cost per mile. This makes cross-country trips highly cost-effective.
Route and Demand
Even if your pickup and drop-off locations stay the same, the time of year can increase your cost significantly due to demand spikes, weather, and route conditions. To avoid high demand and route changes, book the service early or schedule your move just before the winter Snowbird migration period.
Compare Time, Safety, and Vehicle Wear of Driving vs Shipping a Car
Beyond the financials, there are other factors to consider when comparing shipping a car vs driving. These factors might not hurt your pocket, but they are important to consider when deciding “should I drive or ship my car?”
Time
Driving a car cross-country will likely take days. A ride from New York to California, for example, can take 40-50 hours of driving. When you factor in rest breaks and possible maintenance stops, you’re looking at 4-7 full days on the road. And that’s if nothing goes wrong on the way.
On the other hand, hiring a car shipping company for the same trip means all you’ll have to do is deliver your car to the company, and pick up at your destination. The entire move could take 5-10 days, but you’ll be able to fly or continue your trip while your car ships, saving up to a week of travel time. In short, shipping your car is the more time-efficient method.
Safety
Driving your car across the country exposes you and your vehicle to accidents and damage from flying gravel, debris, and tire blowouts. In fact, a vehicle accident occurs every 13 minutes on U.S. highways. A number of these accidents are likely due to driver fatigue, weather hazards, or distractions. You must also consider security concerns at overnight stops.
Whereas when you let professional drivers handle your trip, your vehicle is secured on a carrier with very low accident rates. Shipping companies must also follow strict FMCSA safety guidelines to ensure your vehicle arrives in good condition. The rules include a 10-hour-per-day driving limit (followed by at least 10 hours of rest) for every driver and a 55mph truck speed limit.
Minor cosmetic damage can sometimes occur when shipping, but the carrier’s cargo insurance required by the FMCSA typically covers it. You can also opt for enclosed transport to further protect against weather, theft, or road debris. The measures in place for vehicle shipping make it a safer option than driving.
Vehicle Wear
A standard trip from Los Angeles to Miami adds about 2,700 miles to your odometer, which is equivalent to several months of normal use. You’ll have to deal with tire, brake, oil, and fluid wear. Transmissions and suspensions will also take a beating, especially through hilly or rough roads.
However, with shipping, your car is transported stationary, meaning there’s no mechanical or mileage wear. Tires, fluids, and internal components also remain intact. The risk of vehicle wear or value depreciation is much less when shipping a car than when driving.
Pros and Cons of Shipping a Car vs Driving
Now, let’s take a look at the advantages and drawbacks of each method, to help you decide if you’d rather ship or drive a car across the country.
Pros
| Shipping | Driving |
| You have full control over routes, stops, and timing. You have access to your vehicle the whole time. It can be fun for people who enjoy road trips. | You have full control over routes, stops, and timing. You have access to your vehicle at all times. It can be fun for people who enjoy road trips. |
Cons
| Shipping | Driving |
| Long trips might require you to miss work or take vacation days. Long drives increase fatigue and accident risks. They reduce the vehicle’s resale value and increase maintenance needs. Hidden travel costs significantly increase the total cost of the trip. It requires constant alertness, navigation, and rest management | Long trips might require you to miss work or take vacation days. Long drives increase fatigue and accident risks. They reduce the vehicle’s resale value and increase maintenance needs. Hidden travel costs significantly increase the total cost of the trip. It requires constant alertness, navigation, and rest management |
FAQs
Should I Drive or Ship My Car Across Country?
It’s better to ship your car cross-country because it saves you time, money, and significant stress compared to driving. Hiring a shipping company is also safer than driving and frees you from liability for accidents.
Is it Cheaper to Drive or Ship My Car Across Country?
It’s cheaper to hire a car shipping company for cross-country moves. Shipping across the country can cost up to $2,500, while driving yourself can exceed $4,500 when you include fuel, lodging, food, insurance, and maintenance.
Should I Hire a Car Shipping Company?
Yes, hiring a car shipping company is your safest option. Carrier drivers must adhere to strict safety regulations, while shipping companies are liable for any vehicle damage that occurs while shipping.
How Long Does it Take to Ship a Car Across the Country?
Shipping a car cross-country can take anywhere from 7 to 10 days after pickup. However, the exact timing can be heavily affected by weather, potential truck maintenance issues, and drivers’ daily rest.
The Choice Is…
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to ship or drive your car across the country. However, hiring an auto shipping company is less expensive and physically draining than driving yourself. All you need to do is ensure you hire the right shipping company for the job.
Key Takeaways
- Shipping is usually cheaper overall once fuel, hotels, food, and wear are added to driving costs.
- Driving causes heavy mileage and depreciation, while shipping keeps your car stationary and protected.
- Car shipping avoids accident risk, fatigue, and mechanical failures during long road trips.
- Driving gives flexibility and control, but requires days off work and constant alertness.
- Booking shipping early typically ensures better rates and smoother scheduling.
Patrick Peterson is a passion-driven automotive expert with over 8 years of hands-on experience in car care, maintenance, and detailing. He combines practical, real-world advice with a friendly, easy-to-understand style—perfect for everyday car owners. When he’s not writing how-to guides or testing products, Patrick is most likely under the hood of his vintage Mustang or exploring scenic drives.