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Should you ship a car or drive it across the country? The choice may look simple at first, but it can affect your budget, safety, and how much time you spend on the road.
Did you know that about 1 in 25 drivers say they have fallen asleep while driving? If you are planning a long move, knowing your options for getting your car to your new home could help you avoid costly mistakes.
What You’ll Learn
Coming up in this article, you’ll learn:
Should you ship a car or drive it across the country?
What are the pros and cons of hiring someone to drive your car cross-country?
How do independent auto transport carriers compare to other options?
Overview
To get your car across the country, you can drive it yourself, hire a professional driver, have a friend drive it, or ship it with a carrier, with the best option depending on your budget, safety concerns, and time. Each method has different costs, risks, and benefits that influence the best choice for your move.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Driving the Car Yourself
This option gives you full control over your schedule and route, and you can bring personal items, but it incurs costs for fuel, food, tolls, and lodging, while adding mileage and wear to your vehicle.
Hiring a Professional Driver
Your car may arrive faster, and some services let you ride along or carry pets/luggage, but this is typically more expensive due to driver costs and may require you to buy extra insurance.
Having a Friend Drive Your Car
This can be the cheapest upfront and offers flexibility with a known driver, but you take on full liability if anything goes wrong, and your car still gets mileage and wear.
Shipping with Independent Auto Transport Carriers
Your car avoids extra mileage and wear as it's transported on a trailer, and carriers are licensed and insured, offering a less stressful experience, though delivery dates are estimates and personal belongings are usually restricted.
Other Notable Considerations
Insurance and Liability: Coverage varies widely; personal policies apply when you drive, but hiring a driver or friend often requires you to purchase additional short-term insurance.
Cost-Effectiveness: For long trips, shipping often proves more cost-effective than driving yourself once all expenses are factored in.
Personal Belongings: Department of Transportation rules restrict personal items in vehicles transported by carriers, unlike other options.
Time Commitment: Driving yourself takes several days plus recovery, while shipping typically involves a 1–2 week delivery window.
The Most Ideal for You
Relocating a car is often more complex than people expect. Driving might feel like the cheapest choice, but fuel, food, lodging, and vehicle wear can add up. Hiring a driver may sound convenient, yet liability and trust are real concerns.
Shipping with a carrier can solve those issues, but it comes with its own trade-offs. By looking at each option, you can make the choice that best protects your time, money, and car.
Driving The Car Yourself
Driving your own car across the country gives you control, but it comes with hidden costs and risks.
Pros:
You keep full control of your schedule and route.
You can bring personal items without restrictions.
You may enjoy the experience if you like long drives or road trips.
Cons:
You will pay for fuel, food, tolls, and lodging, which often add up to more than expected.
The extra mileage lowers your car’s value and can increase future repair needs.
Long trips create fatigue and raise accident risks.
A breakdown far from home can cause delays and unexpected costs.
A cross-country trip takes several days, plus recovery time once you arrive.
Fit: This option is practical only if you want complete control and are willing to accept the costs, risks, and wear.
Hiring A Professional Driver
Professional driver services connect car owners with drivers who move vehicles across long distances. These drivers may be retirees, students, or people working through specialized companies.
Pros:
Your car may arrive sooner than with multi-car shipping because the driver focuses only on your vehicle.
Some services allow you to ride along, giving you peace of mind during the trip.
Certain drivers may allow you to load pets or luggage, adding convenience if you are relocating.
You avoid the stress of driving long distances yourself.
Cons:
Hiring a professional driver usually costs more since you must pay for the driver’s time, food, and lodging.
Your car still racks up mileage and wear during the trip.
Trust is a factor because there is no standardized license or certification required to work as a driver.
Some drivers may not provide full background information or driving history.
You may need to purchase short-term coverage for the trip, since many services do not include insurance.
Fit: This option can work if you want personalized service or need to move pets, but it is more expensive and exposes your car to added wear and liability.
Having A Friend Drive Your Car
Asking a friend or acquaintance to drive your car may sound convenient, but it can create challenges.
Pros:
You will likely pay less upfront than with professional services.
You know the driver personally, which may give you more comfort than hiring a stranger.
The schedule can be flexible, based on what works for both of you.
You can often send personal items if your friend agrees to carry them.
Cons:
Liability is on you if anything happens during the trip.
Most friends will not have trip-specific coverage, which means you may need to purchase short-term coverage.
Your car still takes on full mileage and wear from the long drive.
Reliability can be an issue if your friend’s plans change or they are delayed.
A lack of professional driving experience could increase the risk of an accident.
Fit: This option works best if you fully trust the person driving and are comfortable taking on the risks that come with an informal arrangement.
Shipping With Independent Auto Transport Carriers
Independent auto transport carriers specialize in moving vehicles across the country on trailers. They offer both open and enclosed shipping options.
Options:
Open carrier shipping is the most common method and typically the most affordable. Cars are transported on open trailers alongside other vehicles.
Enclosed carrier shipping costs more but provides protection from weather, debris, and road conditions.
Pros:
Your car does not take on extra mileage or wear since it is transported on a trailer.
Carriers are licensed and regulated, and drivers are vetted for safety.
Vehicles in transit are covered by the carrier’s insurance.
Shipping is less stressful since professionals handle the logistics.
Delivery windows average 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the distance and route.
Cons:
Pickup and delivery dates are estimated, not guaranteed.
Department of Transportation rules do not allow personal belongings in vehicles. Some carriers may allow items for an added fee, but they can be subject to inspection.
Less flexibility than driving yourself, since carriers follow set schedules.
Fit: This is often the best choice for long-distance moves if you want to save time, avoid mileage, and keep your vehicle protected.
What You Need to Know about Insurance And Liability
Insurance coverage is different for each option, and understanding it helps you avoid surprises.
Driving yourself: Your personal auto policy applies during the trip. Roadside assistance, if included in your plan, may cover breakdowns.
Hiring a professional driver: Most driver services do not include trip-specific coverage. You will often need to buy short-term insurance to cover both the driver and your vehicle during the trip.
Having a friend drive: Friends usually do not have coverage for cross-country transport. You will likely need short-term insurance to protect your car and yourself.
Shipping with carriers: Licensed auto transport carriers carry their own insurance for vehicles in transit.
Final Thoughts: The Best Choice for You
Deciding whether to drive, hire a driver, or ship your car comes down to what you value most. Cost, time, safety, and peace of mind all play a role in making the right choice. Each option has pros and cons, but knowing them in advance helps you avoid hidden costs and unnecessary risks.
For most long-distance moves, shipping with a professional carrier provides the best balance. You avoid wear on your car, reduce accident risks, and let trained drivers handle the logistics. While driving or hiring someone may seem easier at first, the long-term costs and risks often outweigh the short-term convenience.
Take The Next Step With AmeriFreight Auto Transport
If you are leaning toward shipping, the next step is choosing a trusted carrier. AmeriFreight Auto Transport connects you with licensed and vetted carriers, giving you confidence that your car is in safe hands. We also offer optional AFTA gap protection plans for added coverage while your vehicle is in transit.
You can use our online rate calculator to see how affordable car shipping can be for your route. Our customer service agents are here to answer questions and guide you through the process so you can focus on your move, knowing your car will be professionally transported.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car?
It depends on distance and route. Once you add fuel, food, lodging, and wear, shipping is often more cost-effective for long trips.
Is getting a car shipped a good idea?
Yes. Shipping reduces accident risks, prevents mileage wear, and includes carrier coverage. AmeriFreight Auto Transport also offers optional AFTA gap protection plans.
What is the most affordable way to transport a car?
Open carrier shipping is the most common and usually the most affordable method.
Do they search your car when you ship it?
The Department of Transportation does not allow personal items inside vehicles. If a carrier permits items for a fee, they may be inspected.
