One of the biggest decisions people face when making a move is deciding how to transport all the family vehicles. With the option of auto transport, more people than ever are choosing to eliminate the stress of making a long drive and letting professionals manage the job for them.


For shorter moves across town, driving your own vehicle is usually the least expensive option. But when making a long-distance move like California to Texas or Illinois to Florida, using auto transport eliminates the need to pay for gas, food, and lodging on a long trip. 


Deciding between driving your car or taking advantage of car shipping services also requires considering non-financial factors, such as the potential wear and tear on the vehicle. Making the best choice requires looking at all the variables involved.

The Cost of Driving Your Car

Unless you’re driving a classic car, your first thought will be to just drive your own car, no matter how far the drive. This is typically the most cost-effective choice for those making a short-distance move. If you can do the trip in one day, such as a move across the state, then driving yourself might be the best option.


However, large states like California, Florida, and Texas are big enough where the trip might take more than one day. And moves that require covering a significant distance across the country can become costly. Before making the choice between auto transport or driving your car, consider these issues.

Gas

Gas prices always add a hefty amount for longer moves. But these days, that cost is higher than ever. Price can climb into the $200 to $300 range for cross-country trips, depending on the exact mileage and range of your vehicle. As an example, a 1,000-mile move – about the distance from New York to Florida – with the average SUV that gets around 20 miles per gallon would cost about $215 with the average cost of $4.30 per gallon.

Lodging

The average cost of one night at a hotel in the United States reached $100 per night as of late 2021. And you’ll pay more for anything better than average. A cheaper motel comes with its own issues. For a long-distance trip where you are driving around 300 miles per day, you’ll need two or three nights in a hotel.

Food

Food costs are even more difficult to predict because everyone has many options for what to buy. However, as every traveler knows, it costs a bit more to eat on the road. It’s safe to assume around $30 per person, per day for food.

The Advantages of Auto Transport

Do the costs of driving your own car equal more than what you pay to ship? That depends on the distance of the trip, the size of the vehicle and the type of transport you choose (enclosed vs. open). Another important factor is the time of year you need the car shipped. However, there are advantages to auto transport that go beyond cost.

Wear and Tear

By choosing auto transport, people immediately save hundreds or thousands of miles of wear and tear on the vehicle, prolonging the time needed before the next mileage-based maintenance checkup. This is especially important for those with older cars.

Safety

While most people are perfectly safe driving a long distance, the risk of a crash or collision does increase with every extra mile you drive. Factors that can make a long trip riskier include the type of terrain you need to travel through, as well as the expected weather and the number of large, urban areas on your travel route.

Time and Convenience

Taking a long drive is a great way to pass the time for many people. Road trips are fantastic when you have the time and the roads and weather are both good. But they can become more of a chore over long distances through flatlands or dense woods with no sightseeing along the way, during bad weather, or when you have to drive through heavily congested urban areas.


Another group of people who turn to auto transport are snowbirds or reverse snowbirds who travel long distances twice a year. Some choose auto transport for the simple fact that they have grown tired of repeatedly making the same long drive and also want to cut down on the miles driven each year on their vehicle.


The best choice is the one made after careful consideration of all the factors involved with your move. It’s an issue worth exploring as auto transport has become more common, giving people the option of avoiding long-distance drives.