Should I Drive My Car Cross-Country or Ship It Professionally?

You're moving cross-country. Do you drive your car or ship it? Many ask this. The answer isn't simple. Driving seems cheap at first. But add up everything. Fuel. Wear. Time. Risks. Professional shipping often wins. Especially for long hauls like Houston to Los Angeles.

As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., an auto transport broker Texas-based, I see this daily. We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. I know both sides. Brokers buffer you from carrier hassles. We do sales, coordination, systems. Carriers drive trucks. That's it.

Let's break it down. No fluff.

Is Driving My Car Cheaper Than Professional Shipping?

Looks that way on paper. Gas money versus a quote. But dig deeper.

What Are the True Fuel and Tolls Costs?

Take Houston to Los Angeles. 1,500 miles. Average sedan gets 25 mpg. Fuel at $4 per gallon. That's 60 gallons. $240 just for gas.

Tolls? Interstate 10 has few. But detours add up. Say $50. Food stops? Hotels? $300 more if solo. Double for a partner.

How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Open car carrier transport cost runs $1,000-$1,500. Door to door. No stops. But wait. That's not all for driving.

How Much Vehicle Wear and Tear Adds Up?

Long drives kill cars. Tires wear fast. Oil changes needed. Brakes heat up. A 1,500-mile trip? Expect $200-$500 in maintenance. Maybe more if something breaks.

Resale value drops. High miles signal hard use. Shipping keeps mileage low. Preserves value.

Here's a quick comparison:

| Cost Factor | Driving (Houston-LA) | Shipping (Open Carrier) |

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

| Fuel/Tolls | $290+ | Included |

| Wear & Tear | $200-$500 | Minimal |

| Food/Lodging (2 days)| $300+ | $0 |

| Total Estimate | $790-$1,090+ | $1,000-$1,500 |

Driving edges out barely. Until you factor time and risk.

Which Takes More Time: Driving or Shipping?

Driving eats days. Shipping frees you.

Can You Afford the Driving Hours and Fatigue?

Houston to LA. 22 hours straight. Realistically? Two days with stops. Fatigue builds. Drowsy driving kills. You lose work time. Family time.

How long does car shipping take cross country? 7-14 days. Plan around it. Fly instead. Work en route.

What Realistic Shipping Timelines Look Like?

Brokers like us guarantee 72-hour pickup windows. Vetted carriers move fast. Open transport: coast to coast in a week often. Door-to-door car shipping how it works? We coordinate. You relax.

What Risks Come With Driving vs Professional Transport?

Roads are brutal.

Road Accident Risks During Long Drives?

Cross-country stats? 1 in 100 long trips sees issues. Fatigue. Weather. Trucks. Repairs strand you.

Auto transport safety record matters. Carriers log millions safe miles.

Damage Risks and Insurance During Shipping?

Shipping isn't risk-free. But insured carriers cover it. We require VIN scans pre-load. Documents condition. Claims? Rare with pros. Open carrier car shipping pros & cons: cheaper, exposed to weather. Enclosed? Safer for classics.

Your auto insurance covers driving risks. But deductibles bite.

When Does Professional Shipping Save the Most Money?

Not always solo trips.

For Families Needing Multi-Car Transport?

Two cars? Three? Driving means multiple drivers. Chaos. Multi-car transport for families: one load. Single-car vs multi-car load cost drops per vehicle. Ship a non-running vehicle? No problem.

Or High-Value Vehicles Requiring Enclosed Transport?

Luxury? Classic? Open risks chips, dust. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars: protected. Classic car transport enclosed carrier. Costs more upfront. Saves repairs.

SUV vs sedan? Bigger costs 10-20% more. What affects car shipping cost per mile? Distance, type, season.

Relocating to Florida ship car from Texas? Vehicle transport Texas to California? We do it daily. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide.

Shipping wins big here. Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves? Experience counts.

The Bottom Line: Ship It

Driving tempts. But tallies show truth. Time lost. Risks high. Costs hidden. Professional shipping cuts stress. Saves overall.

Carriers avoid people. Bad payers. Drama. Brokers like AMG Transport Co. handle it. We vet insured carriers. Honest quotes. No hidden fees. Stripe deposits secure. 72-hour pickups. Trusted car shipping broker reviews prove it.

How to choose a reliable auto transport broker? Track record. Transparency. We're it.

Ready? Get a free quote today. Nationwide. Door to door. Done right.

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