Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free

Don’t look now but the open road is calling. Faced with onerous security regulations, endless add-on fees, and uncomfortable planes that squeeze customers in like sardines, more and more travelers are opting for the highways rather than the skyways. Americans are rediscovering the joy of driving cross-country with the wind in their hair, the music cranked, and the freedom to check out quirky attractions that would forever have been overlooked from 30,000 feet in the air.

Hit the road for free in someone else's automobile, with a driveaway car
Hit the road for free in someone else’s automobile, with a driveaway car

This resurgent love affair is also revitalizing driveaway companies, services that match drivers with customers who want their cars delivered to distant destinations. Vehicles need to be moved for a variety of reasons, including corporate relocations, military transfers, and quite often in the case of snowbirds who want to have use of their own car at their winter home but don’t want to do the driving. Car owners pay driveaway companies to move their cars and the company contracts with drivers to make the one-way trips. Driver are responsible for all but the first tank of gas, meals and accommodations along the way, and must put down a deposit (generally $300-400), which is refundable upon delivery of the car to the owner.

There are some limitations to this type of travel. Your schedule must be flexible and you must be willing to drive between the destinations required by the customer. The route and schedule are agreed upon prior to departure and offer enough flexibility for drivers to do some sightseeing along the way, however customers will often load trunks and back seats with their personal belongings, so there is room for only one additional passenger and limited luggage. Drivers must also have a clean driving record, three forms of identification, and be willing to undergo a criminal background check. If none of this is problematic, driveaways are like getting a free rental car, especially for those who have no car or own a vehicle that is not dependable.

Although driveaway companies can be found all over the country, some locations need more drivers than others; routes between eastern Canadian cities and Florida or Arizona, for example, are in high demand due to annual snowbird migration in the spring and fall. For more information, contact one of the following driveaway firms, or check your local Yellow Pages under “Auto Transporters”:

Auto Driveway (43 offices across the U.S. and Canada)
Toronto Driveaway (Toronto based)
Cars To Florida (Toronto based)

Photo Credit: Nate Steiner

Feel free to leave a comment below, however this site is solely a travel blog and as such is not in any way involved in the business of arranging for the transfer of vehicles. Use of this blog for such purposes hereby releases and forever discharges and holds harmless Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel, Barbara Weibel, and all successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from such use.

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Driveaway Cars - Like Driving Someone Else\'s Automobile for Free

2,253 thoughts on “Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free”

  1. Hello… Looking for a vehicle to drive from Georgia or Florida to Seattle (or anywhere in between). I have a clean driving record and am in Georgia for a 6 month business trip.

    Reply
  2. I live in Ecuador South America, I am an artist, designer and teacher. http://www.paulabarragan.com
    I want to travel from Santa Fe to San Francisco the 4 sept to the 13 sept. with a friend. For fun.
    No accident record, no ticket record. I love to drive. I will have other reliable drivers with me so it will not be alone. Will have an international license.
    I did this twice when I was a student at Pratt Institute NYC from NY to el Paso. Thank you very much for your help,
    Paula

    Reply
  3. I have just one question ? Do these people pay you to drive their car’s to where they want them ? And if they do, How much is the going rate for the driver ? I’m a 52 yr old single male that maybe interested in doing something like this !!! I drove truck since 1978 without an accident involvement of any kind !!! I’am unable to drive truck anymore cause of a lower back injury and currently on disability because of it! So if I,m someone that you would be interested in for this type of work please feel free to contact me thru my e-mail address. Thank You for your time. Sincerely, K.Bloom

    Reply
  4. Retired couple interested in exploring “Route 66” is willing to transport your car(sedan preferred) from the Midwest to California. Willing to under-go background necessary background check.

    Reply
  5. Southern California to Florida. If you need a vehicle transorted to Florida call me at 760-217-5887 or email. Excellent
    driving record, credit, etc. Recent widower and would like to relocate.

    Reply
  6. Am looking to drive an automatic from DALLAS, TX to MICHIGAN at the end of June 2013. Have made this trip mulitple times, & would stop overnight for rest-wouldn’t drive straight through because I am going to be only driver. Have a spotless record, no license issues, & am willing to submit background check if preffered for verification.
    Just myself, & my 3yr old daughter will be traveling. Had bad traveling experience with airplanes in the past, daughter is now terrified of flying. Brother is coming home from Iraq, has 10day leave time available-would like to be able to see him. Email me if anyone needs a driver. Dates are somewhat flexible. Thank you!! Email address: [email protected]

    Reply
  7. Looking to drive your car to Cincinnati, Dayton or columbus on June 17th. Freshman Orientation for Miami U for my son.

    Reply
  8. Looking to drive a car from St.louis Mo to Merced Ca. I have a clean back round and clean driving record. I am 29 and responsible. Please reply asap 573-366-6002

    Reply
  9. Looking to drive your car from NY (or general east coast) area to either southern US (FL, TX) or west (CA, WA, OR) in August 2013. Dates can be flexible…driving 1 one and will be flying back home. Experienced driver with no license issues willing to submit to any background check or testing necessary. Let me know if I can help please! =)

    Reply
  10. Hi, My partner and I are looking for a way to get from the Bay Area to the NYC area (Philly works as well, heck, even DC works) in early August, could leave on the 3rd and arrive in NY anytime around the 6-8th.

    Looking for a shared ride, or we could drive your car/moving truck/whatever across the country for you.

    Two females, aged 23 and 26, both with licenses without any record whatsoever. More comfortable with manual but can drive stick as well.

    Reply
  11. Very responsible dad offering to drive your car from Chicago to Ithaca NY, June 5-June 30, 2013. Spotless driving record, familiar with all types of vehicles. White glove treatment, your car will be delivered in the exact condition it was picked up in. Paul 🙂

    Reply
  12. Hi, I am looking to drive someone’s safe and reliable car from CHICAGO to ITHACA, NY or the nearby Finger Lakes region of central NY (Syracuse). I am available to deliver the automobile from June 3rd through June 30th 2013. Responsible and proud 55 year old dad with a spotless driving record. I will deliver your car in the exact shape that it is when I pick it up. I’m a great driver!

    Reply
  13. Looking to drive from Sacramento or Bay area to East coast- Washington DC , NY or Mass, leaving about July 20 – delivery in east by end of July. Can drive automatic or stick. Experienced and reliable.
    College Professor- more info about driver(s) after communication.

    Reply
    • Martin,
      I’m looking to have my 2007 automatics mid sized truck transported from CA to Washington DC. I have a wide selection of dates but would like it delivered NLT Sept 20th. If interested please let me know.

      Reply
  14. I am looking for someone to either drive with me or simply drive my car for me from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Portland in Maine USA. Needs to be in Maine by 12th June 2013. Can leave 4th June.

    Reply
  15. I’d like to visit my son in Big Lake, Alaska and was thinking it might be more fun to drive than to fly. I live near Seattle, WA, am a grandmother, and have an excellent driving record. My husband would travel with me. If you need a vehicle delivered to Alaska I may be able to help.

    Reply
  16. Looking for a van to drive to California. We have items that we need to deliver to our children in Salt Lake City and Lemoore,Ca. Our daughter is an F-18 Super Hornet pilot stationed at N A S Lemoore. Our son is a lab tech. at A R U P laboratories in Salt Lake.
    I am retired. I have made the trip numerous times. I reside in upstate NY. I am open to picking up a vehicle anywhere in New England. Excellent driving record. Used to driving Vans and medium size trucks.
    I am looking to leave the east coast around the 10th of June, 2013. No later than the 14th. Would be in California by the 21st of June.

    Reply
    • i am looking to drive to nyc or even just a bit upstate (near woodstock) somewhere toward the end of may….i am what would be called an ‘older adult”, used to drive a school bus for disabled kids (which i truly loved)….what can i say.. i am an excellent driver and would love to do it. my daughter teaches at New York University and has a house near Woodstock as well, so either location would be okay. please contact me if the dates fit with your plans. end of may would be best for me, but early june is okay as well. thank you… regards, ute levi

      Reply
  17. Looking for a van or SUV/Truck to drive from Amarillo Texas to Minneapolis Mn. Need to be able to haul some of daughters college furnishings. Bed / table.

    Reply
  18. Hi there,

    Looking to drive a car across the country(east coast to west/ NYC, Washington DC or Baltimore until LA or Bay Area, California). No accident record, no ticket record. I love to drive. Would be available between 29 July and 2 August and would like to arrive before August 12th. I will have other reliable drivers with me so it will not be solo. American English teacher in France with California license .
    Already did this when I was a grad student from Chicago to San Francisco. would love to show my European guests this possibility of seeing America. Excited to hear from you. Deb

    Reply
  19. I need to drive a car from the Los Angeles area to Boston starting June 19, 2013 delivery will be two weeks later. My wife and I have very clean driving record. we both are professionals and responsible. We will be traveling along with our two children to Boston visitng 3-4 national parks and monuments on the way and we will return by airplane back to LA. Looking forward to good responses. Thank you

    Reply
  20. Hi There,
    I am going to Toronto in July, I can drive both stick shift or an automatic with complete ease.
    I have full comprehensive insurance and a clean driving record. Can even drive to Boston as well.
    Thanks
    Sid Lodi

    Reply
  21. I am looking for someone/s to drive my Honda Odessey minivan (2007) from Atlanta to San Francisco. Depart on or around May 25 and deliver to San Francisco within 10 days. If delivery can be made by June 3rd, then I will also pay for two hotel nights. It’s a Honda – runs perfect. Has brand new tires, will have fresh oil change and a full tank of gas. You pay for your gas and expenses (less the hotel nights for swift delivery) and have a nice cross-country trip. I can remove all back seats so it would be possible to sleep in the back, and I can put my “rocket box” on the top to carry your stuff. Contact me if interested. Responsible, current drivers license, etc. only. thanks Kevin

    Reply
  22. I am looking to drive a car from the Los Angeles, CA area Boston or New York. My wife and I have clean driving record and we will b traveling with our two children. We are planning on leaving on June 19, 2103 and would need 2 weeks delivery time.

    Reply
  23. My son looking to drive a car from Chicago to Atlanta beginning of week May 13th, 2013. Great driving record

    Reply

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