corsia logo

Is it better to ship a car across the country or drive it?

Is it better to ship a car across the country or drive it?

How can you move your car across the country? When deciding between driving and shipping, how do you make the right choice? As you explore the options, there’re a few things you will need to consider. Distance, the time you have available to complete the task, all costs involved, and the level of convenience you desire are just some of the factors.

In this post, we’ll tackle a few important points and answer some of the most common questions to help you plan a successful cross-country vehicle relocation.

Shipping or driving: Which is better?

The answer to this question depends on the situation at hand. For those who are relocating across the country and have more vehicles than drivers, shipping is probably the only option.

In all the other cases, one needs to weigh all the pros and cons of shipping a car versus driving it all the way from coast to coast.

A road trip across the US may sound exhilarating. But would you really want to embark on this journey when you have already been stressed enough orchestrating your household move? Or negotiate with your boss at work asking for time off, so you can pick up a car you bought online?

The truth is, shipping a car with an auto transport company is the easiest thing to do and arrange. It will give you peace of mind and allow you to concentrate on other things that are more important to you.

When you book the service with Corsia Logistics, our vehicle relocation experts will help you select the options that work best for your particular situation. Our years of industry experience allow us access to the best resources necessary to deliver your vehicle safely and efficiently.

Is it cheaper to drive my car across the country or to have it shipped?

You may think that shipping a car is expensive. But should you decide to drive instead, filling up the gas tank of your four-wheeler is not going to be your only expense.

At the least, you will need to factor in the cost of meals, hotels, and tolls. You may get a flat tire, the windshield wiper may go out, a rock could fly up and break your windshield, you may require towing. And then there’s always a possibility of a costly speeding ticket, among other expenses.

To sum it up, when you choose driving, you pay multiple costs (sometimes unaccounted for), which spread over the course of your trip and often can add up to a large sum of money.

When you ship your car with an auto transport company, you pay an all-inclusive price. All fees, insurance, and door-to-door service are included. You know the number upfront. However, it’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all estimate.

The final cost to ship a car across the country depends on a few factors: your vehicle’s make and model, modifications, operability; distance and pick up/drop off locations, type of transport – open or enclosed, and current supply/demand fluctuations on a given route.

Is car shipping safe?

Most vehicles are shipped in an open-air trailer. This means that your car will be exposed to road and weather elements. Although damage is a rare occurrence, there is a possibility that the car gets affected by bad weather conditions, as well as rocks and other road debris. If your car is extremely valuable, we recommend you look into enclosed vehicle shipping to ensure it gets the highest protection possible during the shipping process.

Also, by shipping a car you can spare it from unnecessary wear and tear, breakdowns, accidents, and unfavorable weather conditions. All legally authorized auto shippers are required to have cargo insurance, which gives you extra peace of mind. And by law, they have to provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate upon request.

What is the best shipping company or service for shipping a car cross-country?

In today’s competitive world, no company can claim to be absolutely the best. There are many reputable auto transporters who will go out of their way to keep their customers happy.

However, as in any other business, there are still a few bad apples. The possibility of becoming a victim of a car shipping scam is, unfortunately, still present. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant and aware of what to look for when planning to hire an auto transporter.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, do your homework. Request multiple car shipping quotes, read online reviews, pick up the phone, and call your potential shipper. Still have doubts? Don’t hesitate to contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for the shipper’s information and accident history.


If you have any questions or would like to request a quote, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. You can call us at (818) 850-5258, chat with one of our logistics experts, or fill out our simple quote request form.

Shipping your car with Corsia Logistics is easy. We work with specialized auto dealerships from across the country and will give you peace of mind. We arrange car transport anywhere within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Our logistics experts will walk you through the entire car shipping process. We believe transparency is key. Therefore, we encourage you to ask questions because we want you to make educated decisions.

Just reach out to us by dropping us a line via our online chat or call us at (818) 850-5258. We will be happy to assist you!

Share our experience:
Are you ready to ship a car?
Recent posts
cars in usa running on fossil fuels

Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, are the cornerstone of all modern energy systems, powering everything around us from transportation to electricity in

corsia car shipping

Auto Transport Companies Reviews

Talking about one company being the best in the industry is very illusive. Today, in any industry the competition is big and diverse, and there

Read more

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping an electric vehicle like Rivian requires several considerations. Here we will share some key aspects to keep in mind when you need to ship

Read More »

Corsia team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

Corsia Customer Reviews Online

5-Star Rated Car Shipping Company

5/5
5/5
5/5