If you’ve ever found yourself contemplating, “Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it all the way?” This blog post is specially tailored for you.
You may think driving your car cross-country is the most economical choice, but let’s unpack this a little. If you think about the vehicle wear and tear and increased mileage, driving long distances isn’t that cheap. Plus, you’ll have to spend on fuel, motel stays, meals, car wash, toll taxes, and there’s also the risk of breakdowns.
That’s why car shipping makes more sense for long distance vehicle moves. At Easy Auto Ship, we believe in providing a more cost-efficient and stress-free solution to your car relocation needs. Shipping your car seems like a luxury, but considering the indirect costs and potential risks of driving a long distance, it is the economical choice you’ve been looking for.
Comparison of Driving vs. Shipping Your Car
According to a Forbes survey, 44% of people who didn’t ship their car while moving regretted it later. However, it’s always an ongoing debate whether you should drive your car to the new location or use a car shipping service. There’s a lot that counts when making a decision. Use this comparison guide to decide which option is best for you.
Car Wear and Tear
Although, if you want, you can drive your car to your new location. But it’s not recommended for long distances. As per GoodCar.com, driving your car long distances can wear down its various components like the battery, brake pads, tires, and more. And you might have to stop halfway through the journey for an oil change, if increased mileage consumes it all.
On the other side, shipping your car will be much easier with no extra miles on your car, no wear and tear, and no surprise repairs.
Effect on Car’s Financial Value
Secondly, driving your car long distances affects its financial value as well. In fact, there’s an inverse relationship between mileage and car value. According to AAA, a medium sized sedan’s driving cost per mille that includes fuel and maintenance is $0.23 per mile.
So choose car shipping over driving the car long distances, if you do not want to lose your money intentionally. Car moving companies keep your beloved vehicle safe with no added mileage.
Speed of Transportation
When choosing between shipping your car to another state or driving it yourself, time is an important element. While shipping your car saves time and it’s safe, driving it yourself might take up your valuable hours or even days.
Also, driving your car to a new location is specifically not recommended when you’re not familiar with the traffic jams, peak hours, and routes. Or otherwise, you might end up in an unexpected traffic jam or roadblock that you didn’t count on before.
Safety of You and Your Car
Vehicle prices in the U.S. have increased with a 2.5% rise in April after tariffs hit. So, of course, you should be conscious of the safety of your valued vehicle and choose a safer method. When moving over 5,000 miles, shipping your car is the safest option.
While if you choose to drive it yourself on a longer journey there are high chances of theft, accident, or damage when your car is parked at a motel. Shipping companies have liability insurance and we ensure the safety and security of your vehicle until it reaches its new home.
Convenience and Ease
When deciding driving vs. shipping your car, the question is ‘Do you like driving?’ or ‘Can you stay up for long?’ And if the answer to any of these is No. Then, you must opt for a car shipping service. These offer much ease and convenience than driving your car for hours while fighting to stay up.
So just focus on the other components of moving let the professional car haulers do their work.
So, is it cheaper to ship a car or drive?
If you consider the wear and tear, the decrease in the car value, and your ease and convenience, it is cheaper to ship your car than to drive it a long distance.
Cost Comparison: Car Shipping vs. Driving
The classic conundrum of “Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive?” often stumps car owners when they plan to relocate. But don’t furrow your brows just yet! Let’s break it down with some simple math. If you’re considering driving your car, there are a few expenses that’ll come with it for long distances such as fuel costs, accommodation, meals, and potential wear on your car.
Let’s take a Toyota Corolla 2019 model as an example. As per EPA, it gives about 29 to 35 miles per gallon combined for city and highway.
So let’s take 32 mpg as an average. Now if it’s a 1000 miles journey, the car will burn 31 gallons.
- The national average for fuel cost as of September 2025 is $3.2 for regular grade. So your total fuel cost will be $100 for 1,000 miles drive.
- You can drive 500-700 miles in one day so you’ll be staying for at least one night in a hotel. The average cost for one night stay in a budget hotel is $93 per night.
- Let’s take $30 for a budget one-day meal for one person.
- Also add $30 for car wash after it arrives at the destination.
- We should also add a maintenance cost of $0.108 per mile according to AAA, which adds up to $108 for 1,000 miles.
Adding all these, your total cost is approaching $361, not including any unexpected expenses, toll taxes, or the value of your time.
But that is just for one day. If you cannot drive 1,000 miles in a day, maybe 2 days? For that, we multiplied motel and meal costs by 2, so $186 for motel and $60 for meal.
- Total driving cost in 1 day = $361
- Total driving cost in 2 days = $481
Now, let’s consider car shipping. Many believe that shipping is more expensive, and sometimes that’s true. But not by a significant margin if the distance is long enough as the cost per mile decreases with an increase in distance. The cost to ship your car depends on several factors, including the distance, the type of car, the time of year, and the shipping service you choose.
Easy Auto Ship is known for offering affordable rates as we work on the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get model. So for a standard car, you should pay somewhere between $600 to $750 for a 1,000-mile trip. Yes, at first glance, this looks pricier than driving.
But remember, there are no hidden costs here - no wear and tear on your car, no tiresome hours behind the wheel, no added mileage on odometer, and no unexpected roadside expenses. Plus, you don’t have to spend 2 days behind the wheel while your work and other important tasks take the backseat.
6 Main Factors Affecting Car Shipping Costs
Now when it’s obvious that shipping your car is the best option when moving over a long distance, let’s consider the main factors that can affect car shipping costs:
Distance
How far the new location is significantly affects your car shipping cost. For instance, usually it costs around $0.40 to $1 per mile depending on the distance. The longer the route the lower the price will be. Yes, it’s an inverse relation!
In a longer journey, the fixed rates like driver’s fee or permit charges will be shared across more miles, feeling like a dime compared to how these prices feel in a short-distance move.
For example, shipping will cost $500 if you are moving 500 miles away. But if you’re travelling 2,500 miles, the shipping cost will be $1,200.
See how the per-mile rate changes over a long distance? That’s why shipping your car is recommended for longer distances.
Car Size
Car size is another significant factor that changes your car shipping cost. The larger the car, the more it’ll weigh over the shipping truck, and eventually the higher it’ll cost. For example, a Ford F-150 will cost more to ship than a Chevrolet Colorado, which is a comparatively smaller car.
However, the price difference won’t be that much. The increase will be just around $100-$150.
Transportation Type
What type of transportation you choose has a major impact on your car shipping cost. For example, if you choose to ship your car on an open carrier, it’s more cost-effective, and a 1,000-mile journey will cost you around $600-$750.
On the other hand, if you choose an enclosed carrier for your car shipping, it will cost you around $850-$1,050 for the same distance. So it’s 40% more expensive than the open carrier where your car is exposed to the outer elements.
Time of Year
The time of year also has a major impact on car shipping costs. And since 41% of annual U.S. moves happen in the summer, it’s the peak business time for car shipping companies and prices are 15% higher than the usual rates.
So if you choose an off-peak season for moving like winter or fall, you can save up to $275. Plus, the traffic volume usually decreases by 4-8% in winter, increasing the speed of transportation.
Delivery Type
The delivery type you choose also affects your car’s final shipping cost. For example, a terminal-to-terminal delivery type is less expensive than door-to-door shipping. While of course, both have their pros and cons. For instance, even though a terminal-to-terminal service is budget-friendly, there’s a potential security risk when your car is stored at a terminal waiting to be picked.
Fuel Price
Though it’s a very small percentage, changing fuel prices also impact your final shipping cost. Especially when companies do not have a flat rate for fuel prices and they charge according to current rates. In such a case, you’re recommended to ship your car when fuel prices are low.
| Factor | Effect on Price (%) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 25% | Lower prices for more miles |
| car Size | 10-20% | Larger cars cost more to ship because they weigh more and take up more space |
| Transportation Type | 25-40% | Open transport is more budget-friendly than enclosed transport |
| Time of Year | 15% | Shipping costs are higher in summer than in fall or winter |
| Delivery Type | 15-30% | Terminal-to-Terminal shipping is cost-effective while door-to-door service is convenient but pricey |
| Fuel Price | 5-10% | Fuel surcharges lead to higher shipping costs |
Making an Informed Decision Between Driving or Shipping Your Car
Weighing All Factors
When comparing driving vs. shipping your car, it’s important to weigh all the factors mentioned above. Make a checklist of all the elements and then decide.
For instance, if you want to have a long road trip and you think you can drive, this is your sign! Take the chance and drive your car yourself to the new location. But if you’re worried about your time and the safety of your vehicle, choose to ship.
Gathering Quotes and Information
No matter you’re driving or shipping your car, you need to consider all factors carefully and make a well-informed decision. For instance, if you’re driving your car, do proper research about the weather forecasts, reliable and fast routes, and if there’s a roadblock.
And if you’re choosing to ship your car, get at least three different quotes, compare, and choose the one that fits your requirements.
Considering Long-Term Benefits
Consider long-term benefits as well when deciding between the two options of moving your car. For instance, driving your car over long distances can cause wear and tear while shipping it can keep its condition intact.
So if you’re moving a luxury car whose repair and maintenance can cost you a lot in the long run, prefer to ship it to your new location. However, you still can drive a passenger car, like a mini Sedan, as it’s comparatively cheaper to maintain.
Evaluating Personal Situations
Whether to ship your car or drive it yourself depends a lot on your personal situation as well. For instance, if you’re a business person and moving from one state to another for work, time is of the essence here. So you should make a wise decision and ship your car.
But if you do not want to wait for the delivery of your vehicle and you need your car the minute you reach your new location, choose to drive it there.
Seeking Professional Advice
Finally, it’s best to take professional advice as well. Consult shipping experts like a moving company and weigh your circumstances with them. They’ll help you decide which option is the best for you. Also, they’ll answer all your queries regarding the shipping process.
Moreover, you can ask your family or friends for advice too, especially those who recently moved. They can help you better as per your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the most cost effective way to ship a car?
It depends on the different elements. For instance, if you factor in the distance, it’s more economical to drive your car over short distances. However, when moving over long distances, you might need car shipping services. A study by AAA shows the typical cost to own and operate a small sedan is 60.8 cents per mile (including fuel, insurance, depreciation, maintenance, tire wear, etc.).
That means, if you drive from California to New York, the expense will be around $1,750. But, if you choose to ship your car, the total cost will be $1,200-$1,500.
What month is the cheapest to ship a car?
January and February are usually the most in-expensive months to ship your car. That’s because only a few choose to move or buy a car during winter. While summer is the most expensive time to ship your car.
What is the cheapest service to ship a car?
Open carrier is the most budget-friendly option when shipping a car, and you can save up to 40%. That’s because on an open carrier there are many other vehicles with your car along, reducing charges per vehicle.
How much does it cost to have someone drive your car to florida?
It depends on what your pickup location is, current fuel charges, tolls, and other wages. There’s no one price for all. Nevertheless, you’ll pay $750 to have someone drive your vehicle for 1,000 miles. Add the tolls and fuel charges, and it increases to $850 to $950..
How much does it cost to transport a car from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Expect to pay $1,000 to $1,200 for Chicago to Los Angeles car shipping but keep in mind that the cost heavily depends on distance, route, vehicle size, and transport mode (open or enclosed).
Parting Words
You don’t have to choose car shipping over driving or vice versa just by looking at the money you’re spending. Take a look at your schedule, convenience preference, and alternate ways to move vehicles such as asking someone to drive or towing it with you. The decision should be based on looking at your own specific circumstances and money can be used as a final decision maker after all other things are considered.
And if you decide to take the convenience route and decide to ship the car, Easy Auto Ship is available to help. With over 15k carriers going up and down the US, we have someone always available to take your vehicle wherever it needs to go. Plus, we offer discounts to military personnel and multiple vehicle shippers so that’s another way to save some money. So if you’re down, call (888) 687-3243 to get your free, no-obligation car transport quote today.
