If you’re relocating, buying a vehicle online, or managing multiple homes across the country, you may wonder whether it’s better to ship your car or drive it yourself. Both options have advantages, but one is often faster, safer, and more cost-effective depending on your situation.
Below, we break down the key differences so you can make the best choice for your move.
Shipping a Car: Key Benefits
1. No Additional Mileage or Wear
Driving long distances adds thousands of miles to your odometer — which directly lowers your vehicle’s resale value. Auto transport protects your investment by ensuring you arrive without adding a single mile to your car.
2. Faster and More Convenient Travel
Cross-country drives often require multiple hotel stays, food costs, fuel, and hours behind the wheel. When you ship a car, you can fly to your destination and your vehicle arrives shortly after, saving significant time and hassle.
3. Protects Your Vehicle
Driving long distances exposes your car to road debris, potholes, weather, and accident risk. Professional auto transport companies secure vehicles on trailers, reducing the risk of breakdowns or wear and tear.
4. Ideal for Luxury, Classic & High-Value Cars
If you own a rare, classic, or luxury vehicle, shipping is always the safer option. Enclosed transport offers maximum protection from weather, debris, and prying eyes — something driving cannot guarantee.
5. Multi-Vehicle Shipping Is Easy
Households with more than one vehicle can ship both at once, avoiding the headache of coordinating multiple long drives.
Summary: Shipping a car offers safety, convenience, and long-term savings — especially for long-distance or high-value vehicles.
Driving a Car: Pros and Cons
1. Can Be the Cheapest Option (For Short Distances)
If you’re only traveling a few hundred miles, driving may be cheaper than hiring a transport company. This is especially true if you already planned to take the trip.
2. More Control Over Your Schedule
Some drivers prefer the flexibility of planning their own route and stops, making a road trip part of the experience.
3. But Long Drives Are Expensive
For long-distance moves (800+ miles), costs add up quickly:
- Fuel
- Food & lodging
- Maintenance (oil, tires, fluids)
- Unexpected repairs
- Lost time driving long hours
These can easily exceed the cost of professional auto transport.
4. Higher Risk of Damage or Breakdowns
Long road trips increase your odds of wear and tear, accidents, tire damage, or weather-related issues. These risks make driving far less predictable.
Shipping vs. Driving: Which Option Is Best?
Here’s a quick comparison chart:
| Factor | Shipping a Car | Driving a Car |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage Added | None | Thousands of miles |
| Risk of Damage | Low | Moderate to high |
| Time Required | Minimal — fly instead | High — road trip hours/days |
| Ideal For | Long distance, high-value cars | Short distance, budget moves |
| Overall Cost | Often cheaper long-term | Expensive for long trips |
When Shipping Is the Better Choice
- You’re moving 800+ miles
- You want to avoid mileage and wear
- You own a luxury, classic, or rare vehicle
- You prefer convenience and speed
- You manage multiple seasonal homes (snowbird shipping)
When Driving Makes Sense
- You’re traveling a short distance
- You enjoy road trips
- Your car is older and mileage doesn’t matter
- You want to keep costs as low as possible
Bottom Line
Shipping your car is usually the better choice for long-distance moves, valuable vehicles, and anyone looking for convenience, safety, and time savings. Driving may work for short trips, but for most cross-country situations, professional auto transport is the smarter long-term option.
If you’re ready to compare prices and find the best transport company for your move, GetCarShipping.com makes it simple.
