Should I Drive My Own Car or Hire Professional Auto Transport?
Moving cross-country? You've got two main options. Drive your own car. Or hire professional auto transport. People ask me this all the time. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I see both sides. Driving seems simple. But it adds up fast. Shipping hands off the headache. Let's break it down. Costs. Time. Risks. Hassles. No fluff.
Real Costs: Driving Your Own Car
Gas hits hard on long hauls. Say you're shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles. That's 1,500 miles. A sedan gets 30 mpg. Gas at $3.50/gallon. You're burning $175 in fuel alone. Add tolls. $50 easy on interstates.
Wear and tear? Brutal. Tires wear out. Oil changes due. Brakes strain. Figure $500 minimum for a cross-country trip. Insurance? Your rates might spike if something happens.
Don't forget time. If you're flying one way, rent a car back. Or fly round-trip. $400-600. Multi-car families? Double it. Or more.
Total for one car: $1,200+. That's lowballing.
Real Costs: Professional Car Shipping
How much does it cost to ship a car cross country? Open carrier: $1,000-$1,500 Houston to LA. Enclosed for luxury cars: $1,500-$2,200. SUVs cost more than sedans. 20-30% bump.
Factors matter. Season. Fuel prices. Demand. Distance per mile drops on longer routes.
Brokers like AMG keep it honest. No hidden fees. We give upfront quotes. Stripe deposits. Vetted, insured carriers only. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers too. We know the game.
Cheaper than driving when you tally everything. Especially for families. Multi-car transport saves big.
Time: Drive vs. Ship
Driving Houston to LA? 22 hours straight. Realistically, 3-4 days with stops. Fatigue kills focus.
How long does car shipping take cross country? 5-10 days door-to-door. 72-hour pickup window standard at AMG. Carriers run nationwide vehicle shipping door to door.
You're free. Fly cheap. Work. Relax. No wheel time wasted.
Risks and Safety
Roads are dangerous. 40,000 deaths yearly in the US. Drowsy driving. Bad weather. Breakdowns in nowhere.
Your car takes abuse. Chips from gravel. Salt rust. Mileage skyrockets.
Shipping? Carriers handle it. Full insurance. Vetted for safety records. AMG requires VIN scans at pickup and delivery. Proof it's yours. Condition documented.
Non-running vehicles? No problem. Open carrier pros: cheap, fast. Cons: weather exposure. Enclosed benefits exotic cars, classics. Protected.
Carriers avoid direct consumer drama. Deadbeats who don't pay. That's why brokers exist. We buffer. Negotiate rates. Ensure they care about our clients.
Quick Comparison Table
| Factor | Driving Yourself | Professional Auto Transport (AMG) |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Cost (Houston-LA sedan) | $1,200-$2,000 (gas, wear, flights) | $1,000-$1,500 open, door-to-door |
| Time | 3-4 days driving | 5-10 days, 72-hr pickup |
| Risk | High: accidents, fatigue, breakdowns | Low: insured carriers, VIN scans |
| Hassle | High: packing, driving, return trip | Low: we coordinate everything |
| Multi-Car | Expensive, chaotic | Discounts on loads |
Numbers vary. Get a quote for yours.
When to Drive Your Car
Short trips. Under 500 miles. One car. You love road trips. Got time.
Relocating to Florida from Texas? Drive if it's local. Otherwise, ship.
When to Hire Pros
Cross-country car transport. Coast to coast. Multiple vehicles. Luxury or classic. Non-op. Busy life.
Most cases. Brokers are required anyway. Carriers won't touch retail. Too risky. We do the sales. Coordination. Backend grind. They drive.
Texas to California? Expert brokers like AMG handle it. Trusted reviews. Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves.
Why AMG Transport Co.?
We're not saints. But we're straight shooters. Vetted carriers. Full insurance proof. Honest quotes. No games.
Door pick-up and delivery. Nationwide from Texas. Open or enclosed. SUVs, sedans, exotics.
Carriers rely on us. Good relationships mean they prioritize our loads. Your car gets care.
Bottom Line
Driving sounds smart. Often isn't. Costs more. Risks your neck. Wastes time.
Pro shipping wins for most. Especially long hauls. Make AMG your no-brainer pick. Experienced broker you trust. Affordable without scams.
Get your free quote today. Let's move your car right.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.