Drive the scenic direction, ship the boring one. It is one of the more sensible things you can do with a long summer trip, and it is cheaper than most people assume on the right lane.
The reason is directional imbalance. Carriers run loops, and loops always have a weaker leg. If your return happens to run against the seasonal flow, you are filling space the carrier wants filled.
The catch is that this only works when your dates are loose and your route cooperates.
Why the Return Leg Can Price Well
Carriers need backhaul loads. An empty return is lost revenue, so the weaker direction is where there is room to negotiate.
Summer flow has a clear direction on many lanes. Northbound and westbound traffic peaks in early summer. The opposite direction has space.
Snowbird corridors reverse completely. Returning northbound from Florida or Arizona in summer runs against the seasonal grain and prices well.
A flexible pickup window is worth real money here. You are waiting for a convenient slot rather than demanding one.
One-way rental drop fees are the comparison. Those fees exist for the same imbalance reason and are frequently the more expensive option.
Making the Logistics Work
Book before you leave, not from the road. Mid-trip bookings in peak season are how this arrangement goes wrong.
Pick a city, not a point on a map. Carriers serve metros well and remote areas poorly. Driving an hour to a major metro pickup opens far more capacity.
Know who hands over the keys. If you fly home before the carrier arrives, someone must be there with the keys and must sign the condition report.
Empty the car first. A road trip fills a vehicle. None of it can ship, and summer heat will ruin much of it.
Allow for your flight. Book travel after a realistic pickup window, not on the same day.
Clean it before handover. A trip-dirty car cannot be inspected properly, and the condition report is what any later claim rests on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shipping back cheaper than driving back?
Often, once fuel, nights, meals, and the time are counted honestly. On a backhaul lane it can be considerably cheaper.
Can I book the return while already travelling?
You can, but in peak season you will pay for the short notice and lose control of timing. Book both legs before departure.
What if I do not know my exact return date?
Give the widest window you can tolerate. Flexibility is what makes the backhaul rate possible.
Can someone else release the car to the driver?
Yes, with arrangement in advance. They need the keys and the authority to sign the condition report.
Does this work from a small town?
Less well. Capacity concentrates in metros, so driving to a larger city for pickup usually pays for itself.
Why Ship With Tempus Logix
Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted and its insurance verified before a vehicle is collected, and vehicle owners carry a zero deductible on covered damage.
Summer asks for lead time more than anything else. June through August is the busiest stretch of the year, so we tell you plainly when a date is tight and what booking earlier would buy you, rather than accepting a booking we cannot serve well.
For the full picture of warm-weather transport, see our summer car shipping guide.
Related Guides
More from the summer cluster:
- Summer Car Shipping Guide
- Hot Weather Car Transport
- Peak Season Car Shipping
- Summer Vacation Car Transport
- Beach Destination Car Shipping
Need a vehicle moved? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.