When our daughter headed to the East Coast for her junior year, the math changed. Living off-campus meant grocery runs and commuting to an internship—she officially needed her car.
We initially considered driving it from San Diego to Virginia ourselves, but once we crunched the numbers, the “Great American Road Trip” started looking like a great big headache. Here’s why we chose to ship it instead.
The “DIY” Cost vs. Reality
The drive is roughly 2,630 miles, which is about 40+ hours behind the wheel. If we pushed through 9–10 hours a day, we were looking at a 5-day trek. Honestly? That sounded brutal.
When we added up the “hidden” costs of driving, the bill got steep fast:
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Hotels: Minimum 4 nights ($600–$800)
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Fuel: Mid-grade gas for 2,600 miles (~$400)
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Food: Road meals for two people (~$300)
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The “X-Factor”: Wear and tear. On an older car, a cross-country haul is a lot to ask. It’s not uncommon for older cars have a mechanical issue after such a long trip, which can cause a multi-thousand dollar ‘oops’.
Total DIY Estimate: $1,300–$1,500 + 5 days of our lives.
The Transport Alternative
I found a transport company that quoted $1,300 for the San Diego to Virginia route, including door-to-door delivery. It took about 4–5 days from pickup to arrival.
The “Trunk” Bonus: We were allowed to pack about 200 lbs of belongings in the car (as long as they stayed below the window line). It was the perfect way to sneak in extra shoes and kitchen appliances that wouldn’t fit in her suitcase!
Why our route was cheaper: San Diego to Virginia is a major military corridor. Because so many service members move between these hubs, trailers are constantly moving, which keeps prices lower than “off-the-beaten-path” destinations like South Florida.
Pro-Tips for First-Timers
If you decide to ship, here is the “mom-to-mom” advice for a smooth handoff:
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The Paperwork: You’ll sign a contract and an inspection report when they pick it up.
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Document Everything: Take clear photos of the car from every angle before it gets loaded. (Plus, it’s actually pretty fun to watch your car get hoisted onto a giant transport loader!)
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Payment: Be ready to pay the driver upon arrival. Most prefer Zelle, Venmo, or cash.
The Bottom Line
We’ve now shipped cars three times, and we’re never going back. You’re going to spend the money either way—you might as well save the miles on the engine and meet the car at the finish line!
