Should I Ship or Drive My Car?

Auto Transport Options: Should I Ship Or Drive My Car?

If you need it hauled, you’ve probably asked yourself the question, “Should I drive it myself or pay to have it shipped?” When a shorter distance is involved, the question is not always an easy one to answer. It does cost a few hundred dollars even to have it moved? 500 miles, which is a distance that’s drivable in one day, but that doesn’t always make it the right decision. On this page, we’ll weigh some of the costs and benefits of each approach to help you make the best choice.

The one clear benefit of driving your car when you need it relocated is that you will likely save some money, but just how much depends on a few things. For one, you will no doubt go through at least one full tank of gas when going the do-it-yourself route. That doesn’t make it expensive, but you also have to factor in up to eight hours of driving time, not to mention the miles and potential for wear and tear on the vehicle during the drive. If you have even a minor mechanical issue while driving, that’s going to increase both the cost of the trip and the time you spend getting it there.

When you hire a mover to do the job for you, all the concerns listed above are no longer a factor. There is a cost associated with hiring a hauler, but it saves you the time spent driving and also eliminates the concern of a breakdown while on the road. Their insurance coverage is rarely needed, but it’s always there as a failsafe just in case—something you can’t say about driving yourself. The real advantage is in the time savings and the fact that no miles are put on the car if you have it moved. Additionally, any mover will have insurance coverage that provides compensation in the rare case that something does happen during the shipment.

Things To Look For In Firm

When you look for a company to move, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind during the search. It’s very helpful if you have a list of questions to ask the agency before you contact them. That way, you’ll be able to get the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes time to choose one.

The most important thing to ask about when you contact a mover is if they offer the services you need. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised to find that there are quite a few different services available, and not all firms offer them. For example, if you need door-to-door shipping or an enclosed method, you’ll want to ask about the details of that process and make sure they have appropriate experience with both. The same goes for moving that are non-operational or if you’re hauling to a remote or less common location. The more detailed your questions are, the better. You can also use the information you get to determine if an enterprise is as qualified as they say based on the answers they provide.

• Driving cross-country costs $500–$1,200+ in fuel, lodging, and meals; professional shipping runs $600–$1,500 while adding zero miles to your vehicle.
• Shipping saves 3–7 days of active travel time on routes over 1,000 miles, with standard open-carrier transit completing in 5–10 days door-to-door.
• All FMCSA-registered carriers carry mandatory cargo insurance, covering your vehicle during transport — a protection self-driving cannot provide.

Resources

Benefits Of Hiring A Mover - Learn more about the benefits of hiring a hauler. This article goes further in-depth about the advantages you get from working with professionals.

Understanding Reviews - Understanding how to read and assess reviews for companies (or any business, really) is not as simple as you may think. This article dives into what you need to know and what to be aware of when looking up customer reviews.