Shipping a Car vs Driving Yourself: Which Option Works Best for You?

As far as relocating your car from one point to another, either picking it from an auto transport company or driving it yourself are the available options. Each of the options presents a unique set of merits and demerit which would greatly depend on your individual preferences, budget, and time value.

In this blog post self driving and vehicle transporting challenges will be analyzed along with the selection tips to make the most fitting one based on the individual liking. Whether it is for work, buying a new car from out of state, or changing residences within the country, having a plan in place would be highly beneficial. As per the information issued by Automobile Shipping, consumers can be relieved knowing that affordable and dependable service providers are within reach.

Why Consider Shipping Your Car?

Shipping car services during long distance travels will appear to be overpriced at first glance. However, those who have deeply examined the intricate details offer vehicles for long distances driving find those to be greatly beneficial in properly saving time and bandwidth, especially in a number of scenarios.

  • Allow Us To make Your Life Easier

Shifting from one location to another can be hectic, especially if you are relocating to another state, as driving would take weeks. Instead of worrying about driving all the way, you can now focus on shipping and getting all other details sorted or even spend your time traveling.

  • With Shipped Cars, You Drive Less

Driving long distances creates unnecessary wear on your vehicle. This is especially true for cross-country driving where the harsh terrain such as mountains, deserts, and other locations can ruin a vehicle over time. However, shipping a car simply changes where the mileage is added without any actual driving taking place, which saves the car from wear and tear. This is beneficial for both the value and lifespan of the vehicle.

  • Prevent Excessive Driving through Unnecessary Binges

If you aren’t driving a brand new car, a car used for long drives will be at risk for tire breakdowns, mechanical breakdowns, and general wear and tear. Using car transport services vastly reduce these mechanical obstacles.

At Automobile Shipping, we ease the stress that comes with long-distance travel by ensuring your vehicle arrives on time and is in the condition expected with our door-to-door services.

Advantages of Using Personal Vehicle

Personal vehicles are cheaper to use than shipping, so driving one’s own vehicle offers greater benefits.

  • Cost

It is cheaper to pay for gas and drive yourself than to ship the car if the distance is not too far. If you are traveling a long distance and your car is fuel-efficient, it may be more cost-effective than using a transport company. Paying a transport company for shipping the vehicle is significantly more expensive when you have to cover the cost of transport plus additional insurance.

  • Control of Time Schedule

As long as you are the one driving the vehicle, you can make all the itinerary decisions. Every single stop that is made and how long one plans to take a break is their decision. This is convenient when a traveler has multiple preferences waiting to be fulfilled.

  • Enjoy the pleasure of Road Trips

Any tour driving in one’s host of choice is more exciting than any other means where adventure is involved. It becomes even a lot more memorable if you plan to visit new towns or sights because of the flexibility you have on speed and pace. And that is the case for driving.

No need to say, awe-inspiring as driving might be, it is most critical to understand that this option might not be suitable to all like those making conscious effort to save time spent or mileage on the vehicle.

When is It Better To Ship a Vehicle What Are Driving It?

In some circumstances where self driving may seem like the most logical option, there are some scenarios in which you would to come to a wise conclusion to ship your vehicle instead. Steering a vehicle wouldn’t be logical for these reasons:

  • Moving Long Distances

In a situation where you intend to move somewhere in the country or even out to a neighboring state, the amount of time, fuel, and energy used driving the vehicle is hardly justifiable. With a car shipping company, you save a lot of time and eliminate the need to take a long drive trek.

  • Vehicle Condition

For classic cars and antiques, if the condition is not the best, it is better to ship the vehicle off instead of driving it to prevent any sort of breakdown or damage. Less reliable old vehicles are able to withstand long drives, but shipping ensures that it is pulled and transported with care.

  • Moving Multiple Vehicles

Operating on the premise of a family with several cars, separately driving each car will prove to be expensive as well as take a lot of time. An auto transport company is ideal as they will transport all of the vehicles at once saving time while being more practical.

At Automobile Shipping, we make it a point that every vehicle is shipped properly and in a safe manner. Given our broad scopes of automobile transport, we have a particular focus on the transportation of cars in large quantities.

When is Driving Yourself the Best Option? 

Shipping your car works to your advantage in many ways, nonetheless, there are situations where driving presents itself as a more practical option. As with any decision, evaluate these criteria before arriving in a conclusion:

  • Short-Distance Travel

For any local travel purpose, driving is the most practical option for getting around. If the distance is a few hours or simply a day’s drive away, self-driving becomes much easier and more affordable.

  • You Wish to Utilize the Vehicle Immediately

If you wish to utilize the vehicle upon your arrival, booking may require additional time since there are many scheduling conflicts. Driving the vehicle yourself enables you to arrive at the destination according to your personal schedule.

  • Financial Limitations

If you are operating on a tight budget, then driving your vehicle would be the most ideal option especially with outrageous shipping fees. Consider the price of gas and food as well as lodging when calculating expenses for traveling considerable distances.

The Overall Conclusion: Shipping and Driving 

Each option comes with its distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. With that being said, choosing the best option depends on meeting the requirements, set budget, and individual needs. In the table below, we outline some scenarios where each option is best suited:

– Choose car shipping for high-value cars over long distances, simultaneous multi-car transport, or bulk car shipments.

– Choose driving for informal relocations over short distances, spontaneous trips, for flexible schedules, or slower paced road trip journeys.

At Automobile Shipping, we understand that every situation is unique. This is the reason why we created a suite of car shipping options that allow flexibility while being dependable and economical. They offer what you prefer whether you want to drive or ship, they make sure that the vehicle is delivered safely to a particular location.

Conclusion 

The factors that affect the choice made between driving a car and shipping it include: distance, the amount of time needed, the vehicle’s current state, and the total cost to be incurred. Direct control is achieved while driving and shipping provides greater convenience. It is advisable to think through your particular needs and priorities before making this decision.

If you determine that shipping will work best for you, reach out to Automobile Shipping now for a hassle-free quote. They guarantee timely delivery of the vehicle as well as preservation of its condition throughout the entire transport process. You can focus on other areas while preparing for the trip or move and make use of these services when a car needs to be relocated.