Moving with Cars: Shipping vs Driving
General guidance for the move-plus-vehicle problem: every extra car either gets driven (time, fuel, wear) or shipped (typically $700–$1,500 coast-to-coast on open transport) — and the right answer changes the rest of your moving plan.
Usually start with · Full-service movers — a crew loads, drives, and unloads. you point.
They do everything · lead pick
Full-service movers
A crew loads, drives, and unloads. You point.
You pack, they drive
Moving container
They drop a container. You load it. They drive it.
You do everything
Truck rental (DIY)
You pack, you load, you drive. Cheapest band by far.
The one-driver constraint
If you rent a truck, someone has to drive it — which strands your car unless you tow it or ship it. Towing dollies and trailers add rental cost and meaningfully harder driving; many DIY movers find shipping the car and driving nothing the saner plan.
Open vs enclosed transport
Open carriers (the multi-car trailers you see on highways) are the standard and the cheaper band; enclosed transport typically runs 30–60% more and makes sense for high-value or classic vehicles. Either way, book through carriers with their own DOT/MC numbers you can verify.
Time the car around the household goods
Vehicle pickup windows are usually a few days wide. Ship the car a few days before you fly or drive, and plan a short rental-car bridge at the destination rather than paying for guaranteed dates on both shipments.
Whatever the scenario, the sequence is the same: price your route in the calculator, then collect binding quotes and judge them against the typical band.
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Supplies that matter most for this scenario
Industrial cling film that bundles drawers shut and keeps pads on furniture without tape residue.
Shoulder or forearm lifting straps that shift the load off your back for heavy furniture.
Pre-printed room labels in distinct colors so unloading routes boxes without reading.
Heavy-duty 2.7-mil tape in bulk — a typical 2-bedroom move burns through 6–10 rolls.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it when moving?
Driving a car 2,000+ miles costs fuel, lodging, meals, and days of time — often $500–$900 in direct costs before counting wear. Open-transport shipping for the same distance typically runs $900–$1,500. Closer than it looks; the deciding factor is usually whether you have a driver to spare.
Can movers ship my car with my furniture?
Some van lines broker vehicle transport alongside household goods, but it is usually a separate carrier and contract. Compare that convenience bundle against a direct auto-transport quote — the bundle frequently costs more.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
2–4 weeks for common corridors, more in peak summer or for snowbird lanes in season. Last-minute bookings pay expedite premiums and get wider pickup windows.