sell, ship, or tow a prius for a move across the country? MD to CA

This is planning ahead and I'm not sure what the best strategy would be so I'm looking for thoughts..

NSA Bethesda to Travis AFB in Q2 2021, and debating what to do with my wife's Prius...do i sell it here in DC, get the quotes and ship it across country, or tow it with the tacoma.

i'll be stopping in multiple cities along the way to visit friends and family so it's not a straight go for the goal as fast as possible type of trip.

i'm just guessing that shipping would be between $1-2K, and towing is a pain that far..so i'm leaning towards selling...it's a 2016 prius package 4 with 60k miles no accidents, so i assume it would be easy to unload here in the city?

*updated notes* guys you all are fast on info and thanks for that! Quick notes based on questions, my wife will fly with my son there and I am doing a partial DITY so I'll be driving my truck with my dog (he can't fly). I register all my vehicles in TX, so I don't have to deal with California tax if I get a different vehicle there. And both vehicles are paid off so selling isn't an issue. Originally debated carvana for the Tacoma and drive the Prius there.. But then in screwed on not having a truck there lol

 

probably sell and start anew when you get setup at your new location. the prius is not gonna be like a tacoma where the supply is gonna be scarce for a while.

 

Are you doing a DITY move? If so, why not rent a vehicle trailer or dolly for your rental truck? I moved from WA to GA pulling a Jetta on a trailer behind my Penske rental truck. Other than a felony police stop because Penske previously reported the truck and trailer stolen, the trip went very well.

If you’re not doing a DITY move, you could have your wife drive the Prius while you drive the Tacoma. I PCSed from SC to WA in this fashion. My wife and I used some cheap GMRS radios for comms between the vehicles in dead spots and it couldn’t have been easier.

 

Carvana.com. You'll have a hard time time coordinating a sale with a moving date.

 

You might wanna keep the Prius for California. High gas prices and all

 

If you sell it, then you need to buy a new vehicle when you get out there? Can you tow it with the taco? I’d guess, you’d be out more money by selling then buying another ride. Unless it’s just time for the Prius to go.

 

Shipping will be about $1500 in an open truck transport. Enclosed will be some $500 more.
Selling makes sense intuitively - just be sure to factor the CA tax in the $$$ calculation of selling and replacing with similar.

It may make sense to ship if if you will keep it for long... but you may be able to do well selling... There have been a LOT of Prius sold in California, so you may be able to sell in MD and replace in CA and come out in pretty good shape...

Good Luck!

 

Let the wife drive it and follow you. You say there are many stops to break up the trip..............

Seems that would save a lot of headaches. Shipping, selling, buying etc etc.

 

Just rent a dolly and go!

 

Id start by checking the market both where you live and where you are moving to. See how you'd make out if you sold in DC then bought another one out there (assuming your wife wants another Prius).

From there you could determine if you wanted to sell or ship. With the understanding that you get what you pay for when it comes to shipping.. Bought my truck in 2017 in Boulder CO and had it shipped back to Maine. Used UShip and the prices ranged from about $1-2k. I went with the lowest bidder because budget. Ended up needing a new windshield and a new AM/FM antenna (still have no idea how they managed to F*&k that up...)

Also, do you get a stipend for moving? If so how much would that cover? At the end of the day, shipping seems like the easiest way to go

 

With CA emissions standards differing from the remaining 49 states you might want to sell it before you move. Unsure how many hoops you may be jumping through unloading a 49 state car in CA if you'd even be permitted to do so.

 

It’s a Prius.

 

Ya, but it’s California

 

If you're doing a PPM (formerly DITY) tow the prius with the tacoma and get whatever box truck you need. Or you can have your wife drive the Tacoma and you tow the prius with the box truck.

Or your wife can drive the prius and you can flat bed tow with uhaul auto transport. If you're doing a uhaul for your tacoma, online they have oversized wheel straps for larger than 30". Works like a charm.

If you want a 1 vehicle for 2 people, and tow your own vehicle you're gonna have to have the govt move your stuff.

Edit: for me to tow my tacoma behind my uhaul it cost me $455. Tow dolly is about half that (2 wheels on the ground) you have to flat tow the tacoma or you have to disconnect the drive shafts and its a whole thing.

 

I could be wrong but I think all recent toyota vehicles were 50 state emissions approved. I remember seeing it somewhere on the documents for my 2020 Tacoma. I can't believe a Prius would not be too as popular as they are in California.
I'd look at shipping costs, towing costs and cost to sell and buy at your new home. Then pick the one that is easier to deal with over all. I believe taxes on the purchase and registration are going be more in California for sure.

Edit:
My last vehicle the diesel Jeep Liberty wasn't sold new in California but from being on forums I know some made their way there because people moved in to California with them or they were brought in and sold on the used market. Knowing that can happen I can't believe bringing a Prius in from another state would be any problem.

 

Get quotes from reputable shipping companies and then decide. Google auto transport.
https://roadrunnerautotransport.com...MI84HY6b_P6wIVIueGCh3dUA_AEAAYAyAAEgJQQ_D_BwE

 

Better idea-tell the wife unit you’re going on an excellent adventure and she gets to drive the Prius.

 

none issue. I had a federal emissions 2000 4Runner. Ca only limits new sales they do not limit resale.

I searched for a federal emissions 4Runner because it was the last year with the 5 speed. Ca emissions that year were all automatics.

 

Ship it! CA has really high taxes so when you purchase a new car you will spend more then shipping will cost.

 

If you haven't already, look at an independent through uship.com for it. Might get a nice deal that way if you choose to ship