Compare real costs, risks, time savings, and hassles of driving vs. hiring auto transport for long moves. Make the smart decision for your budget and sanity.

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Should You Drive Your Car Cross-Country or Ship It Professionally?

You're facing a long move. Coast to coast. Texas to California. Or anywhere far. Do you drive your car? Or ship it? Many think driving saves money. It doesn't always. Pros and cons stack up quick.

I've managed logistics at AMG Transport Co. for years. We're a broker. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers. I know both sides. Brokers handle sales, coordination, headaches. Carriers drive trucks. They avoid people problems. Roads are rough enough.

Let's break it down. Costs. Risks. Time. Hassles. Real numbers. No fluff.

True Costs: Driving vs. Shipping

Driving cross-country? Say Houston to Los Angeles. 1,500 miles. Gas alone: $250-400. SUV guzzles more. Sedan less. Add wear and tear. Tires. Oil. Brakes. $500 easy.

Time off work. Hotels. Food. $1,000 total? Often more. Fatigue hits. You detour. Breakdowns cost extra.

Now, ship it. How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Open carrier: $1,000-$1,500. Enclosed for luxury cars: $1,500-$2,500. Door-to-door nationwide vehicle shipping. That's it. No hotels. No gas.

Fly instead. Cheap flight: $200. Rent car at destination if needed. Total under driving costs for most.

| Aspect | Driving (Houston-LA) | Shipping (Open Carrier) |

|--------|----------------------|-------------------------|

| Fuel/Wear | $250-500 | $0 |

| Lodging/Food | $400-600 | $0 (fly $200) |

| Time Lost | 3-4 days | 7-14 days (hands-free) |

| Total Est. | $1,200-$1,800 | $1,000-$1,500 |

Numbers vary. Fuel prices fluctuate. Shipping depends on season, fuel surcharges. What affects car shipping cost per mile? Distance. Vehicle size. SUV vs sedan cost difference: $200 more for SUVs. Multi-car transport for families saves.

Risks on the Road

Driving? Dangerous. Cross-country car transport from coast to coast means highways. Trucks. Weather. Fatigue kills. AAA stats: 13% of fatal crashes from drowsy drivers.

Breakdowns strand you. Non-running vehicle? Tow truck nightmare.

Shipping? Vetted insured carriers. AMG scans VINs. Checks insurance. Pros handle risks. Open carrier car shipping pros & cons: Cheaper, exposed to elements. Enclosed carrier benefits for exotic cars: Protected. Classic car transport enclosed carrier ideal.

Carriers focus on roads. Not customer fights. They like brokers. We pay on time. Keep rates reasonable.

Time Savings: Fly Free

Driving eats days. 20 hours Houston-LA. Split over 3 days safe. How long does car shipping take cross country? 7-14 days. Fits moving trucks.

You fly. Arrive fresh. Start new job. Ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles. We pick up in 72 hours. Door pick-up and delivery car transport service.

Families? Multi-car loads. Single-car vs multi-car load cost: Discounts apply.

Hassles: The Real Killer

Driving stresses. Kids fight. Dog barfs. Traffic jams. Breakdowns at midnight.

Shipping? Hands-off. Get quote. Pay Stripe deposit. We coordinate. Honest quotes. No hidden fees. Affordable car shipping without hidden fees.

Relocating to Florida? Ship car from Texas. Vehicle transport Texas to California? Expert broker handles.

Carriers won't deal direct. Most ignore individuals. Insurance issues. Payment risks. Brokers buffer that.

Open vs enclosed? Open for most. Luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open: Enclosed wins for paint jobs, classics.

When to Drive Anyway

Short trips. Under 500 miles. Or cheap gas. Adventure seekers. Fine.

Long hauls? Ship. Sanity matters. Budget too.

Why AMG Transport Co.?

Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Car shipping services Texas. Best auto transport company Texas. Experienced car shipping broker you can trust.

We vet carriers. Full insurance. VIN scans verify. 72-hour pickup windows. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: Simple. Quote. Deposit. Track. Deliver.

Auto transport quotes how to compare? Check reviews. Trusted car shipping broker reviews. Our safety record shines.

Vehicle logistics company Texas. Vehicle shipping for dealerships too. Shipping a non-running vehicle? We know.

Don't risk it. Ship smart.

Get your free quote today. No obligation. Honest pricing.

In this fraud-filled industry, choose right. AMG makes it easy.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.