Is Shipping My Car Cheaper Than Driving It Myself Cross-Country?

You're planning a cross-country move. Driving sounds simple. But dig deeper. Fuel adds up. Tires wear out. Time slips away. Shipping your car might surprise you. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., I've crunched these numbers for years. Let's break it down. No fluff.

How Do Fuel Costs Compare for Shipping vs Driving Cross-Country?

Cross-country means 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Take your average sedan. 25 miles per gallon. Gas at $3.50 a gallon. That's 80 to 120 gallons. You're looking at $280 to $420 just in fuel. One way.

Now, car shipping costs. Open carrier from coast to coast? $1,000 to $1,800. Door-to-door service included. Fuel's on the carrier. Not you.

Driving burns your gas. Shipping shifts it. Savings start there.

What Fuel Savings Can You Expect on Popular Routes Like Texas to California?

Houston to Los Angeles. 1,500 miles. Your car at 25 mpg needs 60 gallons. $210 at current prices.

Ship it with a Texas-based auto transport broker like us. Open car carrier transport cost: $900 to $1,300. Enclosed for luxury cars? Add $400.

Fuel savings: $210. But that's just the start. Carriers haul multiple vehicles. Economies of scale. You fly or drive empty. We handle the rest.

What Vehicle Wear and Maintenance Costs Are Hidden in Driving Yourself?

Roads beat your car. Suspension strains. Brakes heat up. Fluids break down.

Over 2,000 miles, expect oil change. $50 to $100. Tires lose tread. Rotate them? $20 to $50. Alignment check? Another $100 if off.

Repairs lurk. Flat tire in nowhere? $150 plus tow.

Shipping? Zero wear on your vehicle. Carrier maintains theirs. Your car arrives pristine.

How Much Do Tires, Oil Changes, and Repairs Add Up Over 2,000+ Miles?

• Tires: 2,000 miles eats 1/10th tread. New set $600. Prorate: $60.
• Oil and filter: Due at 3,000 miles. $80.
• Transmission fluid check: $50.
• Unexpected: Blown shock or belt. $300 easy.

Total hidden: $300 to $600. Add to fuel. Driving climbs fast.

How Does Time Value Factor Into Shipping vs Driving Decisions?

Time costs money. Driving 2,500 miles? 40 hours at 60 mph. Split over 5 days. Lost wages. Family time gone.

Value your hour at $30? That's $1,200. Professional? Double it.

Shipping takes 7 to 14 days. But you're free. Work. Fly one-way cheap. $200 ticket beats days on I-10.

Is 5-10 Days of Driving Worth It When Shipping Takes 7-14 Days?

No. Shipping window is transit plus pickup. Our 72-hour pickup guarantee means it's moving fast. Vetted insured carriers. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: We scan VIN at pickup. Stripe deposit secures. Honest quotes, no bait-and-switch.

You arrive fresh. Car follows.

What About Lodging, Food, and Other Road Trip Expenses?

Hotels nightly. $120 average. 5 nights: $600.

Meals: $50 day. $250.

Tolls, parks: $100.

Total extras: $950.

Shipping quote covers it all. No stops.

How Do Hotels and Meals Stack Up Against a Shipping Quote?

Here's a quick comparison table for a 2,500-mile move:

| Cost Item | Driving Yourself | Car Shipping (Open) |

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

| Fuel | $350 | $0 |

| Wear & Maintenance| $400 | $0 |

| Time (40 hrs @ $30/hr) | $1,200 | $0 |

| Lodging & Food | $850 | $0 |

| Total | $2,800 | $1,200-$1,800 |

Shipping wins by $1,000+.

When Does Shipping Become the Clear Winner Over Driving?

Short trips under 500 miles? Drive. Gas alone might beat shipping.

Over 1,000 miles? Ship. Costs flip. Texas to California. Florida relocation. Coast to coast. All scream broker.

Most carriers won't touch direct retail. Too much hassle. Non-payers. Scheduling nightmares. Brokers buffer that. We vet carriers. Build relationships. They prioritize our loads.

What Distance Makes Shipping More Cost-Effective?

Break-even: 800-1,000 miles. Beyond that, savings explode. 2,000 miles? $1,500 cheaper. Factor multi-car transport for families. SUVs vs sedans? Minimal difference per mile.

Non-running vehicle? No sweat. We handle.

Shipping cross-country isn't just cheaper. It's smarter. Safer roads for pros. Your car untouched.

At AMG Transport Co., we make it painless. Trusted car shipping broker reviews back it. Auto transport safety record tops charts. Get your quote today. Door pick-up and delivery. Vehicle transport Texas to California? Our wheelhouse.

Get a free quote now. Skip the drive. Ship smart.

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