Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from El Paso, Texas to Plano, Texas

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but shipping can become comparable or even better for very long trips when factoring in hidden driving costs like hotels, food, tolls, and significant wear & tear/depreciation, especially if you value your time or have an unreliable car. The cost-benefit ratio shifts with distance, so compare actual quotes for shipping versus estimated expenses for gas, lodging, tolls, food, and lost time/value if driving yourself.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is by using an open transport carrier, which hauls your vehicle on a large, multi-car trailer exposed to the elements, similar to how you'd see them on highways. To save even more, choose terminal-to-terminal service, book during the off-season, be flexible with dates, and get multiple quotes from companies like Montway or uShip, as this spreads costs and reduces carrier time.

Shipping a car by train is generally cheaper and more eco-friendly, especially for long distances on specific routes (like Amtrak's VA-FL Auto Train), but trucks offer nationwide coverage, faster service, door-to-door convenience, and are often the only option for most cross-country routes, balancing cost with flexibility. For most situations, trucks win on convenience, but trains are the cost-saver if you fit their limited routes and schedules, according to Ship a Car Direct and AmeriFreight Auto Transport.