Driveaway vs driving it yourself: which is worth it?
Last updated: July 26, 2026
Driving your car yourself is almost always cheaper in cash. A driveaway service costs more in dollars but gives you back several days, the hotels and meals, the fatigue and risk, and the headache of getting yourself home from a one-way trip. The right choice comes down to how far the move is, whether it is one-way, and what your time is worth.
SelectDrive planning status as of July 26, 2026: SelectDrive is accepting quote and route-planning requests only while required federal interstate operating authority is pending. No interstate for-hire move will begin unless and until that authority is granted and active and the specific vehicle, driver, insurance, route, and signed agreement are approved. This guide can still help compare the models.
The real cost of driving it yourself
The gas number is the easy part. The costs people forget are the nights in hotels, the meals on the road, the days off work, and, on a one-way move, the price of getting yourself back. Here is a worked example for a roughly 1,500-mile cross-country drive, about three days each way.
| Driving yourself, ~1,500 miles | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel (about 25 mpg at ~$3.20/gal) | ~$190 |
| Hotels (2 nights) | ~$300 |
| Meals on the road (3 days) | ~$150 |
| One-way flight or rental to get home | ~$200 to $400 |
| Out-of-pocket cash | ~$840 to $1,040 |
| Your time (3 days, one way) | Not in the cash number |
| Wear and road risk on the car | Same miles either way |
Rough figures for illustration. Your real costs depend on the route, season, and how you travel. The point is that "just drive it" is rarely free once hotels, meals, and the trip home are counted.
What a driveaway actually saves you
A driveaway does not save miles. Route distance goes on the odometer whether the owner or an assigned driver operates the car. An authorized provider can replace the owner's driving time and one-way logistics. SelectDrive's preliminary planning model bills driver pay at $450 per day in half-day increments, with a one-day minimum, plus itemized trip costs. A future approved trip would require active authority and signed terms identifying the driver, price, tracking, and documentation process.
When to just drive it yourself
- The distance is short to moderate, say under 600 to 800 miles and a single day.
- You have the days to spare and no work or family conflict.
- You actually enjoy the road trip, it is part of the move.
- You are making a round trip anyway, so there is no one-way problem to solve.
- Budget is tight and your time is more flexible than your cash.
For these situations, doing it yourself is usually the better value.
When a driveaway is worth the money
- It is a long, one-way move and you do not have several days to drive.
- You cannot make the drive for health, age, or work reasons.
- You are flying to the destination anyway, so a driver is simply more efficient.
- An authorized provider accepts the trip and you can meet its vehicle rules. At SelectDrive, any pet or ordinary belongings require advance written trip approval.
- You are a snowbird making the same trip twice a year and would rather not. See snowbird car shipping.
What about putting it on a trailer instead?
Trailer auto transport is the third option. It does not add route miles to your car, which matters for a low-mileage or collector vehicle. Broker, carrier, pricing, tracking, and contents rules vary, so verify the specific provider. We lay out the trade-offs on driveaway vs auto transport and in the guide to the main options.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to drive my car myself or use a driveaway service?
Driving yourself is almost always cheaper in cash, often a few hundred dollars in gas, hotels, and meals on a long trip. A driveaway costs more in dollars but replaces several days of your time, the lodging and meals, the fatigue and risk, and the one-way logistics of getting yourself home. The right answer depends on what your time and a one-way trip are worth to you.
Does a driveaway put extra miles on my car?
Yes, the route distance is added to your odometer, exactly the same miles you would add by driving it yourself. Driveaway does not save miles. What it saves is your time, your hotel and meal costs, the wear on you, and the hassle of getting yourself to the destination. If keeping miles off the car is the goal, a trailer carrier is the right tool, not driveaway.
When should I just drive my car myself?
Drive it yourself when the distance is short to moderate, you have the days to spare, you actually enjoy the drive, or you are making a round trip anyway. For those moves, doing it yourself is usually the better value.
When is a driveaway service worth it?
A driveaway can be worthwhile for a long, one-way move when an authorized provider accepts the trip and added route miles are acceptable. A pet that travels well may accompany the vehicle it belongs to, and ordinary belongings that fit safely below the window line may be accommodated, but both require advance disclosure and written approval in the trip agreement. Approval is separate from the price estimate and is never automatic. These accommodations are incidental to delivering the vehicle. SelectDrive does not offer household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport. No person may ever travel in the vehicle. No interstate SelectDrive move will begin while required authority is pending.
How do I get an exact number for my move?
Use the cost calculator for a preliminary driveaway estimate, or tell Pilot your route for planning. This does not reserve or authorize a trip.
Not sure if it is worth driving yourself?
Tell Pilot your route and dates for a preliminary comparison. No interstate dispatch occurs while required authority is pending.