Is It Cheaper and Faster to Drive Your Car Cross-Country or Ship It?
You're moving cross-country. Do you drive your car or ship it? Many think driving saves money and time. Reality hits different. Let's break it down with hard numbers. No fluff. We're AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker. We know this game. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We handle the rest: sales, coordination, headaches carriers dodge.
How Much Does Driving Cross-Country Actually Cost?
Assume 3,000 miles, coast to coast. Average sedan. Gas at $3.50/gallon. You're not racing.
What Are Fuel and Toll Costs?
Fuel: 25 mpg highway. That's 120 gallons. $420 total.
Tolls: Vary by route. I-80 or I-10? Plan $150-$250. No dodging them.
What About Wear, Maintenance, and Lodging?
Tires wear fast on long hauls. Oil change due? Add $300-$500 for depreciation, brakes, unexpected fixes.
Lodging: 4-5 nights at $100/night. $400-$500.
Food and misc: $50/day times 5 days. $250.
Total driving: $1,500-$2,000 easy. Per car.
Shipping? How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Open carrier: $1,000-$1,500. Enclosed for luxury: $1,500-$2,500. Door-to-door nationwide vehicle shipping from Texas to California? We quote honest. No hidden fees.
Here's a quick comparison table for 3,000 miles:
| Cost Item | Driving Estimate | Shipping (Open) |
|--------------------|------------------|-----------------|
| Fuel/Tolls | $570-$670 | $0 |
| Wear/Maintenance | $300-$500 | $0 |
| Lodging/Food | $650-$750 | $0 |
| Transport Fee | $0 | $1,200 avg |
| Total | $1,520-$1,920| $1,200 |
Driving wins on paper sometimes. But factor risks. It flips.
How Long Does Driving Take vs Shipping?
What's Realistic Driving Time?
3,000 miles at 60 mph: 50 hours pure drive. Add stops. Realistic? 5-7 days. Driver fatigue kills schedules. One breakdown? Week more.
What Pickup and Delivery Windows for Shipping?
We guarantee 72-hour pickup windows. Cross-country? 7-14 days delivery. How long does car shipping take cross country? Depends on carrier routes. Open car carrier transport cost stays low because trucks load multiple vehicles.
Your time? Freed up. Fly one-way. $200 ticket beats driving exhaustion.
What Are the Hidden Risks of Each Option?
Driver Fatigue and Road Risks?
Roads are brutal. 500 miles/day max safe. Fatigue causes 13% of fatal crashes. Deer? Construction? Weather? Your life on line. Plus car damage from potholes.
Damage and Theft Risks in Shipping?
Trucks face same roads. But pros drive. Vetted insured carriers cut risks. We require VIN scans pre/post. Damage claims? Rare under 1%. Theft? Doors locked, GPS tracked. Brokers like us buffer fraud. Direct carriers? Good luck.
Open carrier pros: Cheaper. Cons: Weather exposure. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars? Best for classics, exotics.
When Is Professional Shipping Worth It?
Always for multi-car families. Non-running vehicles? Inoperable fees apply, but doable. Relocating to Florida from Texas? Ship it. Time crunch? Executives fly, we deliver.
SUV vs sedan? Minimal cost difference. Single vs multi-load? Brokers optimize.
Carriers hate people problems. Non-payers, disputes. They charge retail direct. Brokers negotiate volume rates. Keep your wallet intact.
Texas based auto transport broker nationwide? That's us. Door pick-up and delivery car transport service. Stripe deposits secure. No games.
Bottom line: Shipping often cheaper, always safer. Driving risks your neck and schedule. For cross-country car transport from coast to coast, pros win.
Ready? Get a free quote today.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.