Hiring a Driver vs. Shipping Your Car

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When you need to transport a vehicle across the country, your initial instinct might be to drive it yourself. And if driving it yourself isn't an option, you're likely to consider having someone else drive it for you. Even while each means of transportation has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, there are strong reasons to pick auto transport over a personal driving service.

You probably don't want to compare and contrast shipping versus hiring a driver right now because relocating a vehicle is difficult. That's  why we wrote a piece outlining the logistics of each mode of transportation and demonstrating that shipping an automobile across country is almost always the best option. Hopefully, this article will assist you in making an informed decision so that you can get your vehicle where it needs to go.

Ready for a Road Trip?

Maybe you haven't completely dismissed the thought of driving your own car across the country. Road trips are the stuff of American dreams, but the reality of road tripping – particularly with children in the car – is quite different. People imagine that driving their own cars will be less expensive than hiring a professional driver or transporting a car across country, but when you're on the road, the receipts add up. Not only will you need to pay for transportation, but also for food and a place to sleep. You might find that the mileage you put on during your drive end up costing you money in the long run. And, to be honest, driving your own car from one state to another can be a hassle. There's the traffic, the missed turns that drive you insane, and all the other tiny annoyances that make road tripping in real life less enjoyable than it appears in movies.

Option 1: Employ a Professional Driver

You'll get a lot of hits if you search for "rent someone to drive my automobile across the nation." Companies that organize a stable of drivers (typically retirees or college students) and link them with clients, as well as individual freelance drivers looking for a quick side employment, will fall under this category.

There are a few options for finding a professional driver to transport your vehicle, but the ideal option is to select a firm that specializes in matching drivers and vehicles for cross-country relocations. These professional drivers, often known as 'driveways,' argue that hiring a professional driver is a safer option than transporting a car across country. Is that true, though? We'll get to that later, but first, consider the benefits and drawbacks of hiring a driver to transport your vehicle.

  • Pros
    • You might be able to receive your automobile sooner. Drivers will undoubtedly face the same traffic and other issues as truckers, but they will not be required to stop to load and unload other vehicles.
    • Drivers are required to have specialized insurance. Most professional drivers are concerned about their safety and carry enough insurance to ensure that you will be compensated if an issue arises while on the road.
    • You might be able to ride along with your driver. That means you'll spend the entire journey with your automobile. This may be the sole relocation option that allows worriers to sleep at night. (then again, you're riding with a stranger for a lot of time...)
    • Luggage can be loaded into the automobile. Professional drivers will even carry pets in some situations. If you're moving and need to relocate your vehicle, this can be a convenient method to transport some non-essentials (or your favorite four-legged pet) to your new residence.
    • The driver is only driving one car, which is yours. It's as if you had your own personal valet for your car.
  • Cons
    • It is more costly. Because you're paying for the driver's food and housing directly, hiring a driver to transport your automobile will usually be more expensive than having it sent on a truck.
    • Finding a reputable cross-country driver is difficult. There are many drivers available, but no specialized license or training is required to start a business as a driver. Freelancers may be hesitant to provide references, driving records, or criminal backgrounds.
    • Your automobile may be rejected by companies. Some firms that screen drivers before matching them with car owners only accept automobiles that are less than seven years old and/or have fewer than 150,000 miles on the odometer.
    • Your vehicle will be subjected to wear and tear. There's no avoiding the truth that long drives are taxing on automobiles.
    • Your vehicle is exposed to accidents in a way that doesn't exist when it is loaded onto a trailer.
    • The hygeine and driving style of the driver comes into play. Will they treat your car inside and while driving like you do?

Is it really worth it?

In the end, organizations that recruit drivers will usually conduct a background check, but they may not provide additional insurance to their employees. Independent drivers may not be completely forthcoming with information about their driving (or criminal) backgrounds. You'll almost certainly need to purchase short-term insurance to cover the driver for the duration of the trip, as well as to protect yourself in the event of an accident. When you hire a professional to drive your vehicle to its destination, driver availability is never guaranteed. However, if you're searching for a unique experience that involves pet transportation, it might be the best choice.


Option 2: Have a friend drive your vehicle

Instead of hiring a professional driver, you can use your network to find someone willing to drive your automobile to its new home for a fee. It's a viable choice for those whose network of friends includes retirees, college students, or folks who work odd jobs for a living. In terms of liability, paying someone you know to move your vehicle carries a higher risk, but you may feel more confident working with someone you know. The benefits and drawbacks of a friend or acquaintance driving your car are as follows:

  • Pros
    • You're familiar with your driver. There's something reassuring about knowing who will be driving your car on its voyage.
    • It's the most cost-effective alternative. Of course, you should compensate them for their time, but you'll almost certainly pay less than you would for a professional cross-country driver.
    • It's likely that you'll be able to load your automobile with luggage. You can utilize the extra room to transfer non-essentials if you trust your driver – and you should if you're giving them the keys to your car.
  • Cons
    • Road travels, once again, place a strain on your vehicle. You'll have to pay for that wear and tear later on in the form of future mechanic fees.
    • You have no idea how good of a driver they are. 
    • More than likely, they will not be covered by any specific insurance. To cover the driver for the trip, you'll need to purchase short-term insurance, which will add to the cost of transporting your vehicle.

Is it really worth it?

Because you are the one who knows your friend or acquaintance best, you are the only one who can answer that question. It may be the best alternative for you if you can guarantee that they will deliver your automobile where it has to go on schedule, without any problems, and without charging you an arm and a leg.

Option 3: Have your Car Shipped

According to USAToday, shipping an automobile cross-country is the most popular way to relocate a vehicle in the United States. This is most likely due to the ease with which an auto shipping firm may relocate a vehicle. You're confident that the drivers have been thoroughly vetted and that shipment will take no more than one to two weeks. Shipping firms hold their own insurance, so you can rest assured that your vehicle is safe. And, because these businesses adhere to stringent schedules, you can rest assured that your vehicle will arrive on time, whether you choose an open carrier or a closed truck.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages to any way of transporting a car cross-country.

  • Pros
    • You're confident in your driver's abilities. When you hire a respectable auto shipping company, you can be assured that the driver transporting your vehicle is well-trained, knowledgeable about various vehicle kinds, and trustworthy.
    • On both ends, you'll save time. Because auto transport businesses transport so many vehicles, loading and unloading is rapid and simple. It will be a breeze to pick up and deliver your car, and you will have it when you need it.
    • It is possible that it will be less expensive than driving. Many people are astonished at how affordable it is to send an automobile across the country. Getting a free quote is the quickest method to evaluate if transporting your automobile on a truck will save you money.
    • There is no wear and tear. Because your car's wheels will not contact the ground during its long trip, it will avoid the typical wear and tear associated with road trips.
  • Cons
    • You won't be able to load your automobile with extra luggage. The weight of your unloaded vehicle is used by transport companies to calculate the cost of delivering your car across country. More significantly, shipping companies cannot guarantee that items in a car will arrive safely.
    • When it comes to dates, you may have less freedom. Auto transport companies, on the other hand, are quite good at keeping to timetables, so you can rest assured that your car will arrive when it is scheduled to.

Is it really worth it?

Because some of the most dangerous routes in the US are the huge interstates that most people use to drive from state to state, shipping an automobile across the country may be the safest alternative. Truckers have had thorough training, are familiar with the best routes, and have dealt with a variety of situations, including inclement weather and traffic. You avoid a lot of unknowns by shipping your car across the nation.

There are clearly some significant benefits to employing a reliable auto shipping business like AmeriFreight – and very few drawbacks. It's likely that shipping your car will save you not only money, but also time and stress. Your transportation company will take care of the details while you focus on your other duties, safe in the knowledge that your automobile will arrive on time.

Go to our rate calculator to see how inexpensively you car have your auto transport handled by AmeriFreight.


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