Selling vs. Shipping Your Car

Depending on what kind of vehicle you own, moving can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Transporting a large, old automobile a long distance may, in some cases, hardly justify the fees. Often, owners are left wondering if selling and purchasing replacements upon arrival to a new home might be a better option.

However, most of the time shipping is still cheaper. However if you are planning to purchase a less expensive or used vehicle, or if you have been anticipating getting yourself a new set of wheels anyway, then selling your current automobile might be more cost-effective.

To make a final decision it is worth looking into several considerable factors, some of which are listed below, that can determine the costs and convenience.

Distance

Distance is a crucial element in determining the cost. The greater the distance, the higher the fee. On average, moving costs $0.60 per mile for journeys over 1,000 miles. Shorter trips cost approximately $1 per mile for 500 miles or less. Surcharges include tolls, gas, overnight trip charges, and more. If you are delivering from or to an area that is challenging to reach, you can anticipate higher fees, too. So if you are planning to move cross-country and to an area far from the nearest interstate, then selling may be a reasonable option, considering all other factors.

Size and Model

The size and model of a vehicle have a significant impact on the bill. A compact sedan weighs approximately 3,000 pounds and thus would cost, on average, $0.60 per mile for trips over 1,000 miles. Meanwhile, a mid-sized SUV weighing 4,300 pounds would increase the cost per mile to $0.90 for distances over 1,000 miles and a minivan per-mile fee would be roughly $1.

Methods

The price of the shipment depends greatly on the chosen method.

• Open Trailers haveseveral advantages such as availability and affordability. Even if you move on very short notice, you will be able to find a reliable, professional company that can take on your automobile. Moving on an open trailer is usually much cheaper than driving it, booking an enclosed trailer, or even selling. Bear in mind that exposure to outside elements during the journey leaves it vulnerable to damage and theft. Moreover, hauling an open trailer can cause a long timeframe between drop-off and retrieval.
• Enclosed Trailers aremore expensive than open air carriers but they do offer protection from external damage and break-ins. If you are looking to move a valuable auto or need a slightly faster method, an enclosed trailer is a suitable option.
• Cargo Planes are also available for speedy and safe deliveries but the price-points rarely justify the method unless it is exceptionally rare and expensive.
• Amtrak’s Auto Train is a fantastic option if you are moving along the East Coast.

Routes and availability are somewhat limited but if you can arrange the haul in advance, the train method can be an efficient and economical method for you.

• Driving can grant you total control over your trip. If you are moving a short distance, this is certainly the cheapest and most convenient option. However, out-of-state or cross-country journeys are time-consuming and can incur high expenses. If over 300 miles and are pressed on time, have plenty of stuff or additional cars to ship, and do not want a sharp increase in mileage, hiring professional movers would be more cost- and time-effective.

Time of Year

Generally, summer tends to spike the fees because of increased demand and competition on available semis. On average, dispatching in summer can cost about $200-$300 more than in winter. Winter seasons, however, while cheaper, can also take longer to deliver due to increased risks of damage and holidays causing backup in the final weeks of December.

Luxury & Vintage Automobile

If you own a luxury or vintage auto, expect to spend more. This is because valuable and fragile automobiles require more protection. Owners may look for enclosed methods, liftgate elevators, and door-to-door service to ensure safe, convenient delivery of their rare ones. While the costs are, indeed, on the higher side, such valuable ones are harder to replace (or drive) so moving it via a professional hauler may be the only viable option.

Extra Fees

It is important to keep in mind that accidents and unforeseen events do occur and may result in extra fees. It is advisable to account for them and allocate special funds. Possible surcharges include fuel, added space for oversized ones, insurance surcharge for collectible vehicles, and express shipments that can cost anywhere between $200 to $500 extra.

Now that we reviewed the key factors in determining the fees and convenience of hauling overselling it, let’s take a look at further pros and cons to each choice.

Do I Drive Often?

If an automobile in question is your sole and/or primary car then answer “yes” to this question and move on to the next one. Many American families own at least one that they do not use frequently. Some may be holding on to an old truck that may be useful for doing housework in a new place, or an old one that you are saving for your child to drive in the future. In the case of the former, an old truck can be used for hauling lumber, gravel, wood, or other materials without the fear of breakage or damage. It brings benefits for several years. On the other hand, if you are keeping your rarely used or barely functioning truck merely for nostalgic reasons then moving may provide a perfect opportunity to initiate a sale and acquire extra cash.

Do I Have Any Plans For It?

Many families who own vehicles they do not use may have big plans for them such as, as mentioned above, saving it for a child or fixing it up shortly. These are good reasons to move to a new place. Getting around the fixing process may take a while – due to time or monetary limitations – but it is a great hobby that can provide good memories, an outlet for creativity, and an upgraded, cherished final product. Families saving it to serve as their child’s first vehicle can save plenty of anxiety and cash by avoiding purchasing a new one and costlier registration and insurance. As for the owners with no big and specific plans for their idle automobiles, again, this might be the perfect opportunity to sell.

How Much Work Does It Require?

If it needs some fixing, you need to assess how much work it requires. For accuracy, it is best to have a professional mechanic look at it and help you make a list of every issue. If you are considering fixing it, calculate the potential costs, especially when it comes to the most urgent, necessary repairs. Having an honest, detailed list and approximate fees in order and in front of you can help you decide whether mending is worth the time and money.

Ways of Getting to Your New Home

If you decide to move instead of selling it, you need to figure out how you will get it to your destination and arrange the move. You can drive the entire way, which can be a nice and pleasurable trip if you are traveling a short distance. For long trips, the drive may be exhausting and expensive if you count all the costs of fuel, tolls, accommodation, meals, and so on. Moreover, you would need to arrange a separate haul for all of your belongings and if you own more than one car, make arrangements for those as well. Additionally, the longer the distance the greater the potential toll on it.

Another option is to hire a professional carrier which can cost anywhere between $600 and $1,200 depending on the type of service. However, the costs can be modified depending on the model and size, method, seasons, etc.

When Should I Move?

In general, purchasing a new vehicle is almost always more expensive than shipping an old one, though there are exceptions. For short-distance moves, driving can be adventuresome and pleasant, especially if it is relatively new. If you are moving a long distance (300 miles or more) or own an older one, then it is probably your best choice.

Advertising a sale and finding the right buyer can take time unless you already know an interested party or can find someone to sell on your behalf. Therefore, it is easier to book an open-air freight truck delivery if you are pressed on time. Besides, the sale should bring a satisfactory amount that could be used to purchase your next automobile. So if you are not getting a good price consider opting for shipment.

When Should I Sell?

Acquiring a new car would be more cost-effective than spending thousands on hauling an old beater that only has a few months of run left in it. Upon an honest assessment, determine whether it is in good enough shape to justify the price. If it is on its last leg, save the money you would spend on transport and put it toward a fresh set of wheels. Additionally, adjusting to a new place may take time. Depending on the location of your new home, it might be best to use public conveyance, bike, or walk in the first few weeks.

When making a choice between selling and moving, many factors are at play. In general, delivering tends to be cheaper than selling it and purchasing a new one. That is unless you own an old one that is near the end of its life; in this case, it is probably more cost-effective to skip the process and, instead, sell it.

Choosing to hire professional movers can stem from different reasons such as the need to keep mileage down (especially for luxury or vintage cars) and the need to haul that do not work, hold sentimental value, or are intended for future use. Though moving is not cheap, generally, the older your automobile the less cash you will receive upon sale. And of course, a car’s monetary value is often not the sole factor. Maybe you still have several years on your lease or want to pay off your loan. Remember that buying a brand new one requires time: from sourcing a new one and filling out paperwork to acquiring insurance and registration.