Exploring the Benefits of Shipping Your Car to a New State Instead of Driving It
For many Americans, moving from one state to another is a relatively common occurrence. Whether you are moving from Idaho to New Jersey to find work, or from Massachusetts to Washington to be closer to your family, a big move is always a stressful time. The list of things you need to do before you hit the road can sometimes seem never-ending. In particular, you need to decide what to do with your vehicle. Though some will opt to drive the vehicle on the several day journey across the country, many more will opt to ship it. This article explores some of the benefits of shipping the vehicle instead of driving it.
1) No unnecessary mileage on your car
Your new home may very well be thousands of miles from your current home so by opting to drive between the two you will be adding quite a number of miles to your vehicle’s odometer. This will result in increased wear and tear to your vehicle as well as adding to the depreciation of your vehicle should you wish to sell it later. As such, it may be better to ship the vehicle to avoid this issue – your car might thank you later.
2) Avoid unexpected costs
When you opt to ship your car to a new state you will be given a quote up front by your shipping company. You will know from the beginning that this is exactly how much you will need to spend on getting your car from A to B. However, when you opt to drive you can never be sure how much to budget for the journey. Gas prices can fluctuate wildly from one state to another, you may have to drive on unexpected toll roads, or your car may even break down resulting in a huge repair bill (as well as most likely having to stay in a hotel or similar for a few days). If you prefer predictability, shipping may be the way to go.
3) Increased safety for you and your vehicle
Any cross-country road trip can be filled with potential hazards. Perhaps the biggest concern when driving your car to a new state is getting into a car accident. Driving for thousands of miles can be a very tiring activity and, as is so often stated, that tiredness can have a big negative impact on a driver’s abilities and reaction times. If you are not careful you could end up in the hospital while your car spends some time in the shop. This very reason is why many movers opt to pack their car away safely and have it shipped to their destination instead.
4) Enjoy an easier moving process
The shipping process is simply much easier and less stressful for you to deal with than driving the vehicle. When shipping, you simply prepare your car for the journey, bring it to the shipper, take a flight to your new state, and pick it up there. When driving, you will have to service your vehicle before the journey, plan a route, budget for gas and tolls, and all of that is before you even begin your multiple day journey! For movers who would prefer a less stressful moving experience, shipping may be the way to go.
Ultimately, the final decision on whether you will drive or ship your vehicle will depend on your personal preferences. However, as is clear, the shipping process can potentially save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
