The honest answer depends on distance, your time and what the car is worth to you. Here is how to compare the two properly.
The real cost of driving
Fuel is only the start. Add hotels and meals for a multi-day drive, the days of work or vacation it takes, the mileage and wear you put on the car, and the chance of a mechanical problem hundreds of miles from your own mechanic. If you fly back or someone drives with you, add that too. For a 500-mile trip the total is modest; for 2,500 miles it is not.
The real cost of shipping
The quote for your route, which depends on distance, open or enclosed transport, vehicle size, season and how flexible your dates are. The car arrives with no added miles. You travel separately, which for a relocation often means flying and being at the new place to receive the car.
When shipping wins
Long distances, two or more cars to move, classic or high-value cars, moves with a firm start date at the other end, and any trip you simply do not want to make. Snowbirds and military families ship for exactly these reasons.
When driving wins
Short trips, a flexible schedule, and a reliable car you were going to drive anyway.
Get a quote from the calculator for your route and set it against your own driving estimate; the guide below walks through the arithmetic.
Related questions
- What affects the cost of shipping a car?
- What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
- How long does car shipping take?
Go deeper: Is Auto Shipping Cheaper Than Driving?.
