Car Transport Costs vs Driving Yourself: The Real Breakdown

4 min read

Key Takeaways

• Driving long distances yourself often costs more when factoring in fuel, wear, time, and accommodation.
• Professional car transport offers convenience, safety, and insurance coverage at a competitive price.
• Using transport services prevents fatigue, breakdown risks, and vehicle depreciation.
• Driving yourself may only make sense for short trips or leisure journeys.
• Overall, car transport is the smarter and often cheaper option for long-distance relocations.

When it comes to relocating your vehicle across cities or states in Australia, one question inevitably arises: Should you drive it yourself or hire a professional car transport service? At first glance, driving seems like the budget-friendly option, after all, it’s “just fuel,” right? But once you dig deeper into the hidden costs, time, accommodation, wear and tear, and safety, the numbers tell a very different story.

1. The True Cost of Driving Yourself

Many travellers underestimate how quickly expenses snowball when embarking on a long-distance drive. Let’s take a common route: Brisbane to Melbourne, which spans roughly 1,700 km one way.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you might spend:

And that’s assuming:

• No unexpected detours or breakdowns
• No traffic delays or tolls
• No missed workdays or business opportunities

Driving might feel like an adventure, but financially, it’s far from “free.” Once you factor in the real costs, it often exceeds the price of professional transport, and that’s before considering the stress and fatigue.

2. Car Transport Costs: What You Actually Pay For

Professional car transport services are often more affordable than people expect, especially when you consider what’s included. For the same Brisbane to Melbourne route, prices typically range between $800 and $1,400, depending on:

• Vehicle type
• Service level (open carrier vs enclosed transport)
• Pickup/delivery preferences (door-to-door vs depot-to-depot)

Here’s what that fee covers:

• Professional handling: Your car is loaded, secured, and transported by licensed experts.
• Insurance coverage: Your vehicle is protected throughout the journey.
• Zero wear and tear: No extra kilometres, no tyre damage, no oil changes.
• Flexible logistics: Choose between door-to-door or depot options to suit your schedule.
• Time savings: While your car travels, you can fly ahead, work, or relax.

In short, you’re paying for convenience, safety, and peace of mind,  and often saving money in the process.

3. Safety and Stress: The Hidden Factors

Australia’s highways are beautiful, but they’re also long, remote, and occasionally hazardous. Long drives come with risks that are easy to overlook:

• Driver fatigue: A leading cause of road accidents
• Wildlife collisions: Kangaroos and other animals are common hazards
• Breakdowns: Remote areas mean long waits for roadside assistance

By choosing car transport, you eliminate these risks entirely. Your vehicle travels securely, and you avoid the physical and mental toll of multi-day driving.

4. When Driving Might Still Make Sense

Of course, there are situations where driving yourself is the better option:

• Short relocations (under 300 km)
• Road trip plans with sightseeing stops
• Older vehicles with minimal resale value

In these cases, the journey itself may be part of the experience. But for long hauls, newer cars, or time-sensitive moves, transport services are the smarter choice.

The Bottom Line

Driving yourself might seem economical, until you tally up the real costs. Between fuel, food, accommodation, vehicle wear, and lost time, the DIY route can easily cost $1,400 or more.

By contrast, professional car transport offers:

• Lower overall cost
• Greater safety
• No stress
• More time for what matters

So next time you’re planning a move, ask yourself: Is it really worth the drive? Chances are, letting the pros handle it will save you money,  and a whole lot of hassle.

Why take on the cost and stress of driving yourself when Car Transport Express can handle it all safely and affordably? Contact us today for a fast quote and discover the easier, smarter way to move your car anywhere in Australia.