When to Ship Your Car and When to Tow It

So you need to get your car from here to there and you either can’t or won’t drive it. Because maybe you’re moving. Or driving your RV across the country. Or winging your way through the friendly skies on an extended business trip. What are you going to do – ship your car or tow it? 

That depends. How far are you going? If we’re talking about a cross-town move, your better bet probably is to hire a towing service. If we’re talking about a cross-country move, though, the way to go is shipping, which costs less per mile the farther you go. 

Shipping a car 1,000 miles costs less than a quarter what you would pay to tow it that far. On average, it costs $2 to $4 per mile for long-distance towing by a professional service, according to forbes.com. In addition, there is often an additional hook-up fee, and costs may be greater for larger vehicles, such as SUVs or vans. Shipping, on the other hand, costs 60 cents per mile for distances over 1,000 miles. 

The decision-making doesn’t end there, though. If you choose shipping, you have sub-options:  arranging for your car to be transported in an enclosed trailer or the open-air kind. And if you choose towing, you can go with a hook or a front-wheel hitch or perhaps even have your moving company tow your car; some do offer such a service. 

Just keep in mind that towing a car puts more stress on it; if a dolly is used, more pressure is put on the rear tires than on the front.  

How to Transport Your Car During a Move 

The better option for long-distance towing is using an auto transport or “car hauler,” which is essentially a trailer designed specifically for carrying vehicles. This method doesn’t put any wear or tear on your car’s tires and is better for highway driving. 

Car shipping is a concierge service when provided by ShipLux, allowing for a complete pickup, protected transportation, and driveway drop-off service. 

Open car shipping involves open-air vehicle trailers. This is an efficient and affordable way to transport cars that are regularly in use, and you need to use somewhere else. Open car shipping shares a trailer with three to ten other cars and each vehicle is white-glove cared for every step of the way. 

Enclosed car shipping provides additional protection from the elements, as your car will be secured inside an enclosed trailer for the trip. Enclosed car shipping is ideal for new, custom, collector’s and antique cars where the vehicle arrives in exactly the condition it was parked in, so that you can resume your proud and meticulous ownership without a single scuff from road debris en route. 

Car shipping is a concierge service when provided by ShipLux, allowing for a complete pickup, protected transportation, and driveway drop-off service. 

ShipLux can ensure your vehicle reaches your new location with care through enclosed or open car shipping services. To get an estimate on shipping your car to its new destination, contact us today.