What are Pros and Cons of Car Shipping vs Driving

When you are setting to transport your vehicle to a distant location, one of the first things that you will have to decide on is whether you will ship your car through an auto transport company or drive it. Both have advantages and disadvantages and the optimal solution is often determined by your circumstances, finances and tastes and preferences.

In this article we are going to discuss advantages and disadvantages of shipping your car and driving it, and you will be able to make a good choice that will suit you. Be it moving to a new location, shopping online or sending a vehicle to a loved one; knowing about the two can save you time, money and stress.Ship Cars Ltd  

What Is Car Shipping and How Does It Work?

Auto transport or Car shipping is the process where you hire a professional company to transport your car to a different location. The vehicle is normally loaded in a transport truck; an open or enclosed truck and transferred to your preferred location. This service is available to both short and long distances and it is popular to fulfill personal and business purposes.Moving your car can be easy, particularly when you are relocating to another part of the country or when you have more than one car to transport. However, as with any service, there is its positive and negative sides.

You may also like to read 10 Mistakes People Make While Shipping Car International.

Why Might You Consider Driving Your Car Instead?

The most common and the simplest one is to drive your own car to your destination. It provides you with full control of your vehicle in the trip. Driving can be a fun and cheap affair to a large number of people and especially to those who like road trips.But you have to think what time, energy and possible wear and tear you are committing to. Long driving is not an easy task and it is usually accompanied by the costs and risks that many people ignore.

You may also get benefit from reading How To Choose Right Car Shipping Method.

What Are the Benefits of Car Shipping?

Convenience is one of the most evident car shipping benefits. Not spending hours, even days on the road, you can leave the work to professionals. This comes in particularly handy when you have a time constraint or when you have to work on other areas of a move.Your vehicle can also be shipped safely by car shipping services, especially when you are covering long distance. It excludes the possibility of a mechanical problem, accident, or unforeseen failure by the road. You can even have your car covered by enclosed transport option where it is not shown to weather, road damage or debris.Shipping is also commonly used in case of luxury or antique or non-driving cars, where the vehicle condition preservation is a concern.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Car Shipping?

Car shipping has a lot of advantages, but it does not lack disadvantages. Price is a significant consideration–particularly on enclosed carriage or expedited services. The cost may be higher than driving in certain circumstances, depending on the distance, the type of vehicle, and the time of the year that one travels.

The other issue is that you do not have immediate access to your car. Shipping companies tend to offer a range of delivery time, not an exact time and (more often than not) they can run late because of traffic, weather or problem of logistics.You should also do your research when picking a car shipper. There could be scams and low service quality, as well as not all organizations are equally professional and insured. It is necessary to read reviews and to authenticate credentials.

You may like to read Important Things to Remeber When Shipping a Car.

What Are the Advantages of Driving Your Car?

One of the cheapest options to do this is to drive your vehicle, particularly in the short term. You do not have to spend on shipping costs and you also have the option of taking the trip together with a mini vacation or a sightseeing tour, making it an experience rather than a chore.

It also offers another advantage, the flexibility and control it provides. You decide the path, create your own time and pull over. You do not need to wait until a carrier comes by and you do not need to worry about handing the vehicle over to somebody.This is also the best to be used by those who prefer to have their car with them wherever they go and during a move where availing a vehicle can help them settle in much easier.

What Are the Downsides of Driving Long Distances?

The most apparent drawback of driving is the time cost. Depending on the distance, you can dedicate up to several days on the road, and this implies that you will take several days off work, spend on hotels, food, and gas on the road.

And there is the wear and tear to your vehicle. Traveling long distances may cause a lot of stress to your car, causing it to cover more miles, wear tires, and result in possible faults.Long distance driving is also not safe, particularly when you are alone or when you are going into a strange neighborhood or during bad weather. A simple drive can then turn out to be a stress or more hazardous experience due to fatigue and road hazard.

How Do You Decide Between Car Shipping and Driving?

The decision between driving and shipping cars should be made because of a number of important factors:

• Distance: Shipment becomes a better option when there is a long distance by cross country or drive over 500 miles.
• Budget: Driving might appear to be less expensive initially, however, there are unseen expenses (fuel, lodging, meals, maintenance).
• Time: When you have a tight schedule or can not afford days off, shipping is more cost-effective.
• Type of vehicle: Luxury or classic vehicles are more efficient in transport since protection is required.
• Personal preference: There are those who like taking long drives; others find this to be stressful.

You will need to consider your needs, costs, and convenience, and this will assist you to make the most practical decision.

Is One Option Better Than the Other?

It has no single size fits all answer. There are advantages and disadvantages of car shipping as well as driving. As we have seen, the finest option will depend on what matters the most to you–cost saving, time, vehicle protection, or personal comfort.

Car shipping could be your best solution in case you care about convenience and the safety of the vehicles. Driving may be the best choice in case you want to save money or just to enjoy the ride.