bar2v

So, I am moving from Arlington, Virginia to Los Angeles, California at the end of July. I have about a week of down time I could use to drive the car across the country and see some sites or I could ship it across country for about $1000, get a $200 plane ticket, and just relax for a week. I have a 2005 Auto TL with Navigation, soon to be installed DOM NAV-to-TV kit, and a roomate that may or may not take a road trip. So given the cost of gas, time, and mileage (currently at 19,000 mi), what do you all think? Also, any thoughts or recommendations about Auto Shippers welcome.

ding069

well i think it is a given, you are on a driving enthusiast website.....

Adamo0926

How often are you going to get not only the down time but the opportunity to drive across country ? My dream trip would be to drive across country and back. Go for the drive.....you'll love it. Plan where you want to stop, be organized, etc and it will be stress free.....and you can just enjoy the TL and as well as the wonderful sights the USA has to offer.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

If the company pays for the move...ship it and take the new time to become aquainted with your new area....

Adamo0926

He'll have years to get aquainted with his new area....how often will he get the chance to enjoy a cross country drive in a great car to drive ?

Driveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

lilrabbit129

I'd have to agree with ding069. I've heard horror stories of a former coworker that shipped his brand new prelude, it was all banged up when he got it. Plus cross country drives are something everyone should do at least once.

Ol Blue Eyes

I say drive it also. Take pics along the way, and post your cross country experience here.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

I guess the fact I drive all over as part of the job kind of sways my view! Shit...I could probably fall asleep at the wheel at least 4 times on that trip! Dangerous for someone like me burning the candle at both ends....would likely hurt myself or others.

your_mom

Drive it.

I went on a 1,600 mile road trip last month and loved every minute of it. The 3G TL is an exquisite long distance automobile.

Besides, when are you ever going to get the chance to drive across the country again?

I'd arrange to meet a few AZers on the way across the country as well, just to add some fun.

bar2v

Well, its sounds almost universal - drive it. But would you all suggest doing it even if I need to do it all by myself? That's a lot of driving to do by myself - might tip me over the edge ... Besides Seeing the largest ball of cheese by yourself, just isn't as much fun.

sybaek3

shipping will definately cost more...and it often is a hassel because the schedules isn't all friendly. usually takes about 2 weeks.

i drove 1800 miles for my move and i think it was the smoothest drive ever. i gave it 3 full days to relax and drive and it was nice.

i'd say unless your company is paying, drive!

Ol Blue Eyes

Give yourself plenty of time. Plan ahead, stop at scheduled stops, get some sleep. Make it enjoyable for yourself. Definately take a camera, and post your experience up here.

subinf

Drive it. My friend used to ship his car from CA to FL...told him we should drive it once. Had a great time and he hasnt shipped it since.

SouthernBoy

I agree with the "drive it" responders primarily because of two simple reasons: one.. I'm so damned anal about my car I wouldn't dream of shipping it, and two.. I would love to take this trip.

In 1999, my youngest daughter and her, then, fiancee (now husband) decided they wanted to move to Oregon. So they quit their jobs, packed up their belongings, and hit the Southern route. After a year and a half, serious home sickness set in (we are a VERY tight family) and they chucked Oregon to return to Virginia (smart move). This time, it was the northern route. Lucky or what??

WdnUlik2no

I'll drive it. Eventhough I personally hate driving long periods of time. Maybe it could be fun. My main concern would be putting your car in the hands of others. You never know what would happen to your car if you have someone ship it. The cost factor is also better if you drive your self I think. The cost for your plan ticket and to ship your acura to L.A. is $1200. I am not sure how much gas costs in Virginia or other places on your way to L.A. but I'll assume a high average of 3.30/gallon (premium fuel). You acura will probably get close to 30 MPG on the road trip. Its about 2700 miles from Arlington to LA, so figure you would use 90 gallons of gas on the trip. At $3.30/gallon thats $297. But then again, there's also a wear and tear factor as well.

I'll take the road trip and save your cash and possibly your car from getting dinged up.

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Well $300 in gas is pretty optimistic. I would assume closer to $400- $450. I say take the drive! I drove from Indianapolis to San Diego when I moved out here. I didn't get a chance to enjoy the ride since I was by myself and drove 32 hours straight no stops. But I have made the drive a few times back in college driving from Indy to Phoenix, so I'd already seen the sights. Save yourself $800 and make a stop in Vegas and treat yourself to a 2 day break!

bar2v

WdnUlik2no, those calculations look about right if I were to do it in a straight shot but taking my time and visiting some new places might push it up more into lembowski's estimate of $400-$450. Add on accomodations and eating expenses and ignore wear and tear and we are probably looking about $550-$600 total, which is certainly cheaper than the $1200 alternative (Also, I am moving to go back to school full-time so there will be no company to pay for me sadly).

6MTrules

Oh, man, drive. I'm actually a bit jealous.

My dream is when I drop the last kid off at college, is to rent a motor home, take two-three months, and just cruise around the US. Now, your schedule is a bit more compressed, but still... you should be able to get in some real good sightseeing and adventures.

And, I agree, a requirement is to post some pictures, etc. of your trip.

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Well if your roommate goes with you, you can decrease your costs alittle. I had a friend drive to Phoenix whith me once and I told him I would charge him $20 less than the cheapest plane ticket he could find.........so he ended up giving me $120 for gas. Hell the conversation itself would have paid for the trip, but he offered to pick up some of the costs.

SouthernBoy

Amen. Ours is the most beautiful country on earth. What an opportunity to see a part of it.

mrchan625

iTrader: (3)

go for the drive see the sites and have fun haha

pmptx

Plus you will have a chance to meet many the great folks you chat with on AZ

StuartMMVITL

iTrader: (1)

Definitely make the drive No better way to see and really apppreciate the country we live in. Sounds like a great opportunity and a week does give you time, although a 2nd week would be nice to see more of the sights. And what a great car to make the drive with too.

I've driven across the country, east-west, north-south quite a few times and always enjoyed it. It's a great way to relax and recharge. Enjoy, take lots of pics!

chfields

You should definitely drive. I drove from LA to Orlando in a '95 Saturn SC2 and it was a great time. I would think driving across country in an awesome car like the TL would be the ultimate. Since you have a week, you can take your time and see some of this beautiful country. There is nothing like the feeling of being on the open road, I miss it.....Although I do go to Talladega for the NASCAR race in Oct every year, but the wife does the driving in our 2003 CRV. I can't wait for the '07's to come out, then we'll be taking the TL to races.

IrishK

Agreed 100% you should take the drive. I had some of the same concerns when we decided to ride our hogs to Sturgis SD from Texas - sleep, stress, hotels. We ended up riding 400-500 miles a day loved every minute of it. We barely stayed at the rally since the cross country was so much fun. We're still talking about the crazy things we saw.. RV's dragging cars they forgot to attach, buffalo in the road, gas station crazies, dumb landmarks on the highway..... Would still have been a blast in a car.

LacViet

I would drive across country if I have a chance like that even driving alone! Just consider this moving as your vacation experience and plan stop area ahead.
$450 for gas
$200 for accomodation (assume 5 days/ 4 nights trip with driving of 600 miles per day, and $50 per night for motel)
$200 for foods and misc.
Total: $850 which still $350 cheaper if you ship the car, but with the benefit of once a lifetime to see lots of beautiful place of the great U.S.

I drove my car up to Oregon/Washington area few times and love it everytime. That's about 1000 miles trip and I took 2 days for the trip to see the beauty west cosat.

Good luck and welcome to West Coast!

acuintegra

Like most of the answers here, drive it. It may be an opportunity you will never get once you start your new job. Use that Navi or have Acura plan the trip for you. Hey, it's part of your warranty/benefits package of owning an Acura. Why not use it!?!?

Bill M

When I got my FD from North Carolina I looked into shipping it to NJ. You need to know that the car will be on an open trailer for a couple of weeks (they dont pick it up and come directly to your house) as they pick up and drop off other cars. Needless to say I went and picked my car up and drove it home.

Driving, take your time and enjoy the trip...

sushi96720

Drive it and enjoy the sites!!

PsychFish

Is this really a question? you do realize that part of the drive would be Route 66 right? I did this in my 87 integra and LOVED IT!!! Also parts of Texas are speed limit 80!!!

Nyshadow

I say drive too, it would bettter if your roommate went with you, but the drive would be great, like everyone else says just plan it out, or if you are a AAA member they will plan it out for you for free i think. My aunt drove from chicago to ny and AAA mapped out her entire course, all the hotels on the way and the sites to see. It was pretty cool actually. You have the means and the time. Go for it.

Will Y.

I drove from both Northern and Southern California to Denver, Colorado a couple of times alone, once in my 1976 Mercury Capri II and once in my 1988 Integra. Loved the experience as well!!
It probably would have been even better with a TL, though!

You'll meet all kinds of locals and truckers in diners who can tell you about the different points of interest and fun roads on the way to your destination, and you won't have to worry about your car being banged up or delivered days or weeks late by a delivery service.

Georgiapeach

I say ship it but that is just my personal opinion I am not to thrilled about sitting in a car for days on end. We shipped our car from Atlanta, Georgia all the way to Sicily, Italy and our car was the same why it was when we checked it in, in Atlanta. It made to port stops one in Charleston, South Carolina and in Naples, Italy. It was driving 9 hours from Naples, Italy to here on base in Sicily, Italy. Arrived her on base with no damages at all.

Hondalvr

Well,
First of all thank you for including us in your decision to "ship or drive it".
Here is my personal opinion: If you have the time, I would drive the car, so that you could bond more with your vehicle, and take the time (as previously mentioned) to see the sights. Get a AAA map or a suitable equivalent to show you what "tourist" attractions are available. I would get a nose mask for the car to protect the nose and hood of your car during your trip as you traverse the country. Happy motoring!

chill_dog

Obviously, money is not an issue if you would consider spending $1200 or so to get your car (and yourself) to CA. Even if I had money to burn, I would not consider this...well, for a Ferrari, yes, but a TL (or any other regular car), no. However, whether you have money to burn or not, there is the sheer pleasure derived from driving it. Therefore, as the others have said, drive it.