After making the initial decision to move across the country, the second most important decision is how you plan to get there. Should you fly or drive when moving cross country? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. To help you make the decision that is best for you, consider the following questions:

• How much will it cost?
• How quickly do you need to get there?
• Is your vehicle reliable enough to make it across the country?
• Are there places you want to visit along the way?
• Who is going with you?
• Are you traveling with a pet?
• What are the seasonal weather conditions?
• What are you taking with you?

How Quickly Do You Need to Get There?

How quickly you need to arrive at your destination is a significant factor that will help you decide whether to fly or drive when moving cross country. Driving can take as many as 36-48 hours, depending on your final destination. Unless you plan to drive the total distance non-stop, driving from one coast to the other could take several days. Alternatively, a flight from Philadelphia to California only requires a few hours of flight time. However, you also need to account for travel to the airport, checking luggage, airport security, boarding time, and potential flight delays, which can add up to as much as 9 hours for a single flight. Still, scheduling a flight will be much quicker than driving if you need to travel as quickly as possible.

How Much Will It Cost?

The total costs of flying or driving can vary drastically and can impact your choice to fly or drive when moving cross country. The amount you will spend driving cross country depends on gas prices, tolls, your vehicle’s fuel economy, food, lodging, overall wear and tear to your car, and whether you need to rent a truck or trailer for your move. Likewise, flying involves more costs than just the plane ticket, including travel to the airport, baggage fees, and rental car rates, which can add up very quickly. 

Flight prices also vary significantly based on which airline you choose, the season, fuel prices, and even the day and time of the flight. Additionally, if you have any personal belongings shipped by a moving company, you’ll want to include those costs, regardless of whether you plan to fly or drive. Before deciding, thoroughly research all prices to confirm they are within your budget. Dan the Mover can assist you with your budgeting, so contact us today for an estimate based on your specific needs.

Is Your Vehicle Reliable Enough to Make It Across the Country?

If you want to keep your vehicle after your move, you’ll have to consider whether it’s reliable enough to drive long distances. Such a major move can be stressful enough as it is without having to face the possibility of an automotive breakdown along the way, so having a good roadside assistance plan is always a good idea. With that being said, wanting to keep your car doesn’t necessarily mean you have to drive. You also have the option to have your vehicle shipped, which will allow you to take a flight instead and still keep your car.  

Are There Places You Want to Visit Along the Way?

One of the more appealing aspects of driving across the country is that you can plan a scenic road trip to visit tourist attractions along the way. If you have the time, you can turn your move into a cross-country vacation, stopping at sites like the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park as you go. 

Who Is Going With You?

It’s essential to consider who is traveling with you when selecting a mode of transportation for a cross-country move. Some traveling companions may have a fear of flying that they’re not willing to confront, which will automatically make driving a better option. Traveling with young children for several days when moving cross country might become frustrating for parents, so the speed of flying would be preferable. If you’re traveling alone, you’ll want to consider whether you can handle the long drive alone. Feeling tired and isolated for such a long drive can be taxing for some and might make them opt for flying instead. However, others enjoy driving long distances and find it relaxing. 

Are You Traveling With a Pet?

Many airlines offer accommodations in plane cabins for pets, so taking yours with you may be an option. However, some only offer them on a limited basis. Additionally, you may find flights requiring that your pet fly in the baggage compartment. Some pet lovers may not trust their beloved family pet to baggage handlers working for an airline. So if they can’t take their pet into the cabin of a plane due to airline restrictions when moving across the country, driving could be a less stressful option for them and their pet. 

What Are the Seasonal Weather Conditions?

Weather conditions are another critical factor when deciding to fly or drive when moving cross country. Remember that there can be drastic weather differences between your starting and ending points during cross-country moving, especially when traveling during the winter months. It may not be snowing where you are, but it might be in several states you must drive through. If you prefer to avoid driving through harsh weather conditions or think your vehicle might not be able to handle them, you may want to plan a route that will take you through states with milder weather or opt to fly instead.

What Are You Taking With You?

If you’re traveling light, either flying or driving is an option. If you have an entire house or apartment full of furniture, clothes, and other belongings that you want to take, you might think you need to drive with them for your move. But that’s where cross-country movers like Dan the Mover come in. Not only can our cross-country moving service handle transporting all of your belongings from one coast to the other, but we can also handle packing them for you, making your moving day a breeze. This is an excellent option for those who need to make a quick move or those who don’t want to deal with the physical demands of the moving process. This allows you to decide to drive or fly without worrying about your things safely joining you at your destination. 

How We Can Help Make Your Move Easier

Whether you choose to fly or drive when moving cross country, Dan the Mover is a full-service moving company that can assist you with every phase of your move. Our packing services make pre-moving preparation more manageable, and we’re equipped to handle everything from small apartments to large, multi-room houses. And if you go through your moving checklists and realize you’re left with a residence full of belongings that you would prefer to leave behind and not deal with at all, our cleanout service can junk all of those things for you.

Dan the Mover is an experienced cross-country moving company offering reliable and careful loading, transportation, and unloading services. We also provide packing services in Bucks County, PA, and cleanout services in Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding areas. Contact our friendly customer service reps today to find out how our move coordinators can assist with your cross-country move. We can help make your move as easy and stress-free as possible.