Is Driving Your Car Cross-Country Cheaper Than Professional Auto Transport?
People ask this all the time. How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Is it cheaper to drive? The answer isn't simple. It depends on distance, your car, and your time. But let's break it down. No fluff. Just facts.
Cross-country means 3,000 miles. Coast to coast. Think Texas to California. Or Houston to LA. Driving sounds free. It's not. Hidden costs pile up fast.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Driving Your Car Cross-Country?
Driving eats money you don't see upfront.
How Much Will Fuel and Tolls Actually Cost?
Fuel first. Average sedan gets 25 mpg. Gas at $4 a gallon. That's 120 gallons. $480 round number.
Trucks or SUVs? Worse. 18 mpg. $667.
Tolls add up. East Coast to West? $150 easy. Turnpikes, bridges. No escape.
Total: $600-$800 just to move.
What About Vehicle Wear, Maintenance, and Depreciation?
Tires wear. 3,000 miles shreds tread. $200-$400 to replace.
Oil change needed. $80. Brakes if old? More.
Depreciation hits hard. Cars lose value per mile. 3,000 miles? $500-$1,000 off resale.
Breakdown risk? Tow truck. $200-$500. Happens more on long hauls.
Real total: $1,000+ in wear.
How Does Professional Auto Transport Pricing Stack Up?
Now shipping. Open car carrier transport cost? $1,000-$1,500 cross-country. Door-to-door.
Enclosed for luxury? Add $500. Worth it for classics or exotics.
AMG Transport Co. gives honest quotes. No hidden fees. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickup windows.
What Factors Make Shipping Costs Predictable?
Distance rules. $1-$1.50 per mile average.
Season matters. Summer peaks. Fuel surcharges.
Vehicle type. SUV vs sedan? Slight bump.
But brokers like us lock rates upfront. VIN scans verify. Stripe deposits secure.
Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide.
When Does Shipping Beat Driving on Pure Cost?
Solo driver? Driving might edge out. Barely.
But add family? Multi-car transport for families saves big.
Two cars? Driving doubles fuel, wear. Shipping loads both cheap.
Time value? We'll see.
Here's a quick comparison table for a 3,000-mile move (standard sedan):
| Cost Item | Driving Yourself | Professional Shipping (Open Carrier) |
|--------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Fuel/Tolls | $600-$800 | Included |
| Wear & Tear | $800-$1,200 | $0 |
| Lodging/Food (4 nights) | $400-$600 | $0 |
| Time Lost (5 days)| Priceless | Free to work |
| Total Estimate| $2,000-$3,000| $1,000-$1,500 |
Shipping wins on paper.
What Non-Financial Costs Should You Factor In?
Money isn't everything.
How Valuable Is Your Time During a Long Move?
5 days driving. 10 hours daily. Exhausted.
That's 50 hours gone. At $50/hour? $2,500 opportunity cost.
Relocating to Florida? Ship car from Texas. Work those days. Or rest.
What Risks Come with Driving vs Delegating to Pros?
Roads kill. Fatigue crashes. Weather. Theft at stops.
Pros? Insured carriers. Auto transport safety record matters. We vet ours.
Non-running vehicle? No sweat. Brokers handle.
Door pick-up and delivery car transport service. How long does car shipping take cross country? 7-10 days. Predictable.
When Should You Choose Shipping Over Driving?
Always if:
- Multiple vehicles. Families. Dealerships.
- Luxury or classic. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars.
- No time. Busy pros.
- Non-op car. Or high miles.
- Safety first.
Cross-country car transport from coast to coast? Use a broker. Carriers won't deal direct. Too much hassle. We buffer. Keep rates reasonable.
AMG Transport Co. is your guide. Fraud-filled industry. We vet carriers. Parent AMG Endeavors hauls. We know both sides.
Stronger customer experience. Honest quotes. No BS.
Conclusion: Driving seems cheap. It's not. Shipping saves cash, time, sanity. Especially long hauls. Make AMG your no-brainer choice. Experienced car shipping broker you can trust.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.