Ship or Drive: What's Cheaper for Cross-Country Car Moves?

You're moving cross-country. Texas to California. Or Florida to New York. Do you drive your car 3,000 miles? Or ship it? People ask me this daily at AMG Transport Co. I'm Mike, Logistics Manager. I've seen it all. Brokers like us handle the frontend sales, coordination, and backend systems. Carriers drive the trucks. They stick to roads. We deal with people.

Driving seems cheap at first. Gas up and go. But add it up. Shipping often wins. Especially long hauls. Let's break it down. No fluff. Real numbers. Assume 3,000 miles. Mid-size sedan. Current fuel at $3.50/gallon.

What Are the Real Costs of Driving Your Car Cross-Country?

Driving eats cash fast. Fuel. Tolls. Lodging. Wear. Time off work. Risks pile up too.

How Much Fuel and Tolls Will You Pay?

Sedan gets 25 mpg highway. That's 120 gallons. At $3.50/gallon: $420. SUV? 18 mpg. 167 gallons. $585.

Tolls sting East Coast to West. New York to LA: $250 easy. Midwest less. Say $150 average. Total fuel + tolls: $570-$735. That's before you stop.

What Vehicle Wear and Repair Costs Should You Expect?

Tires wear at 0.10/mile. $300 for 3,000 miles. Oil change mid-trip: $80. Brakes if pushing hard: $200. Exhaust? Maybe.

Unexpected? Flat tire in nowhere: $150. Overheat: $500. Average wear: $500-$800. Your car ages years in days.

Lodging: 4 nights at $150/night. $600. Meals: $100/day x 5. $500. Total driving so far: $2,170-$2,635. Per person. Double for couple.

How Much Does Auto Transport Actually Cost?

How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Open carrier: $1,200-$1,800 for 3,000 miles. That's door-to-door nationwide vehicle shipping. Enclosed for luxury cars? Add $500-$1,000.

Texas based auto transport broker like AMG quotes honest. No hidden fees. Stripe deposits. VIN scans verify your ride.

What Key Factors Drive Shipping Prices?

Distance rules. Per mile drops long hauls. Vehicle size: SUV vs sedan cost difference $200.

Season: Summer peaks. Fuel surcharges. Type: Open car carrier transport cost less than enclosed auto transport for luxury cars.

Pickup urgency: 72-hour windows standard with us. Non-running vehicle? $200 extra.

Multi-car transport for families saves. Ship four: per car drops 20%.

How Do Time and Convenience Compare?

Driving ties you down. Shipping frees you.

How Long Does Driving Take vs Shipping?

3,000 miles at 500/day: 6 days. 10 hours driving daily. Exhausted.

Car shipping take cross country? 7-14 days. Fly ahead. Work. Fly back. How long does car shipping take cross country depends on route. Texas to California: 8-10 days typical.

Door-to-door car shipping how it works: We pick up. Vetted insured carriers haul. Deliver. Done.

What Hidden Costs and Risks Come With Each Option?

Driving risks: Accidents kill 40,000 yearly. Fatigue crashes common. Theft at stops. Breakdowns strand you.

Shipping risks: Damage rare. 99% safe with good broker. Insured carriers. Our auto transport safety record shines.

Hidden driving: Lost wages. $200/day x 6 days = $1,200. Family trip? Multiplied.

Shipping extras: Rare fees if inoperable. But predictable.

Here's a quick comparison table for 3,000 miles (sedan):

| Cost Item | Driving Estimate | Shipping Estimate (Open) |

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

| Fuel/Tolls | $570 | $0 |

| Wear/Repairs | $600 | $0 |

| Lodging/Meals | $1,100 | $0 |

| Time Lost ($200/d) | $1,200 | $0 (fly cheaper) |

| Total | $3,470 | $1,500 |

Shipping saves $2,000. Often more for SUVs or families.

When Does Shipping Become the Better Value?

Always over 1,500 miles. Cross-country car transport from coast to coast. Relocating to Florida ship car from Texas. Luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open.

Non-runners. Classics. Dealerships. What affects car shipping cost per mile? Broker relationships. We have them. Carriers trust us. Invest in your car.

Open carrier car shipping pros & cons: Cheaper. Exposed weather. Enclosed carrier benefits for exotic cars: Safe. Pricey.

Bottom Line

Drive short hops. Ship cross-country. Saves money. Sanity. Risks low with experienced car shipping broker you can trust. AMG Transport Co. does it right. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickup. Honest quotes. Auto transport quotes how to compare? Start with us.

Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles? Call. Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves.

Get your free quote today. Don't drive. Ship smart.

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