Should You Drive Your Car or Ship It When You Move?
Moving to a new home can be pretty challenging. You have to make so many decisions, and one of them involves figuring out how you can transport your belongings and your car. This decision is even more difficult to make when planning a long-distance move. At face value, it might seem that driving to your new home allows you to take part of your belongings with you. However, this course of action might be more costly and more complicated in practice. For this reason, we will discuss if you should drive your car or ship it when you move so that you can compare and decide on the best option.
Take into account the amount of time you have before you move
Of course, there are several factors to consider before you make your final decision. In some cases, even donating your car might be more worthwhile than driving it up to your new place of residence. If you have to relocate quickly, it might be challenging to execute all moving tasks that await you successfully.
You will probably have to declutter, sell, donate, and pack all your belongings before the moving day. You also have to decide if it is easier for you to fly, drive, take a bus or the train to reach your new home. Even though this might seem like a lot of decision-making, don't let stress get in your way. Inform yourself well ahead of time, and everything should go smoothly. This article should help you decide what to do with your car. So, first…
Consider the driving distance
Knowing how much time you have until your relocation allows you to calculate the amount of time it will take you to reach your destination. Whether you should drive or ship your car mostly depends on the mileage that you will have to cross. However, if it is an interstate move, you might have to consider that you will
have additional expenses to cover if you decide to drive your car. Furthermore, your car must be in good enough condition to allow you to make the journey, so you have to prepare it for the road. So, have it ready to go by taking it to a thorough checkup so that you can fix anything that might break down or slow you down during the move.
Prepare for the journey carefully if you choose to drive your car when you move
So, if you decide to drive your car when you move, consider that the shortest way to your new home might not be the quickest or cheapest one. Label the gas stations, restaurants, the topography of the region, and the road infrastructure. It is better to choose quality roads, preferably highways, as you won't have to deal with bumps or confusing side streets that will only get you circling the area if you get lost.
Also, consider the number of breaks from driving you will have to make. It is best to stop and refresh yourself at least every 3-4 hours. As mentioned, it is also helpful to plan your breaks. It could be pretty problematic if you run out of fuel in an area with no gas stations where you
can fill up your tank. And since it is best to be there when the moving truck arrives at your new home, make sure that you plan out the ride carefully.
To recap, you need to take into account the following:
- The mileage you have to cross to your new home
- The speed limits on the roads you plan to take
- The amount and costs of fuel
- Auxiliary costs such as food, accommodation, road tolls
Consider the time of the year
Once you break down the ride to your new home into easy steps, it might seem like a very straightforward endeavor. However, it is simply much easier to have your 
car shipped in some cases.
People usually tend to buy homes and relocate in warmer parts of the year. Yet, if you have to move when it's snowing or raining, you might want to make things easier and ship your car instead of driving across the city, state, or country.
First of all, it is much safer to have your car shipped as you might swerve or lose control of your vehicle due to inclement weather. And it might be more comfortable to go by bus or fly to your new home rather than freeze or drain yourself driving. Not to mention potential car repair required to make your car safe could cost you more than what you can afford to spend now that you are moving to a new home.
Driving a car in snow can be dangerous. So, consider the road conditions when you decide whether you should drive your car or ship it when you move.
Compare the costs
If you are a confident driver, you might be reluctant to sell your car. You might also think it is unnecessary to have it shipped. However, what many people fail to consider is the cost factor. In that sense, it is best to compare the total costs of each option.
Most shipping companies can give you a rough estimate depending on the size and weight of your car. You can also choose different insurance programs, the cost of shipping per mile, and the shipping route. Furthermore, if the demand is high at the time, that can also make the price go up. To give you an idea - shipping a sedan across a state costs anywhere from $600 to $2000. In most cases, shipping in the summer costs a few hundred dollars more.
Shipping might be cheaper if it's a long-distance move.
Furthermore, if you request that your car is shipped on a particular day rather than an open slot delivery window, you will also have to pay extra. Add to this the expense of airplane, train, or bus tickets for every family member. Does the total price cost more than the amount of fuel you would need? The answer to this question will help you decide whether you should drive your car or ship it when you move.