Benefits of shipping your car vs. driving it across country
Auto-shipping is often met with undue skepticism – however, it is often one of the most economically beneficial decisions you can make. Despite the high initial cost paid for the shipment, everything that comes after is either insured or ensured. Meanwhile, driving a car has hidden costs that you may not expect.
In addition to the price of fuel, which isn’t going to be cheap for such a long distance, especially if you’ve got a model that prefers the kind that costs extra; to the added total mileage – it pays to pay attention. Find out everything you need to know about this right in this article and make sure you’re making the right choice.
The drive
Let’s first look at the factors that go into driving the distance, yourself. Start by mapping out your driving plan, including an estimation of how much fuel you’re going to need, considering the different price differences across the states. Next, plan for the various weather conditions that may slow your travel, and consider the approximate miles per hour, to figure out the total duration.
Consider breaks, traffic, and harsh weather, and keep in mind that when driving across the country, you’re looking at a 4-day minimum. The trip itself will likely be taxing on you, as being nearly a week on the road isn’t always a wonderful experience.
Add into consideration the extra mileage you’ll get – where, unlike airplane companies, this is detrimental, as it means more maintenance, repairs, and further expenses on your car, down the line.
The good news is that you can try and make it a fun experience on your own. If you plan the route through places you’d like to visit, you might extend the trip duration further, but you might be able to enjoy it more.
The shipping
When considering car transport services, a couple of things become readily clear. Firstly, you’re free to get where you need to go, on your terms. Be it cheap airline tickets or scheduling it at your convenience, shipping your car means more freedom in terms of how you spend your week. In addition, when you write down all the expenses, you might notice that the car shipping companies offer a better bang for your buck. That’s right – it’s often more economical to ship your car than to drive it yourself if you can handle the slightly bigger initial cost!
Shipping companies also offer several options to make your easy car shipping a reality. One of the most obvious advantages is that it’s possible to have enclosed shipping. Any driver knows that being on the road for such a long time will affect your car. From bugs to weather conditions, these are the things you don’t want to deal with if you’ve got a sporty, antique, or otherwise important car you want to preserve in perfect condition.
Another great benefit is door-to-door shipment, where all you need to do is agree with your shipping company on the time and location for picking the car up and getting it delivered. It simplifies much of the process and is as seamless as possible.
The final advantage you’re getting with a car shipping company is the shipping-specific insurance you get as part of the deal, which might cover you for more than your regular car insurance does.
Choosing which options suit you best has to do with your individual preferences. While shipping provides extra convenience and swiftness, it could be that you’d prefer to go sightseeing yourself. Weigh them carefully and choose the one that makes the most sense to you, both economically as well as personally.