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.
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.
Would like to drive a car/truck to Alaska from Minnesota or the mid-west US.
I am looking to drive a mid-size vehicle from the Texas area to the NY area sometime in May or early June. Email me @[email protected] if you need a driver.
Hi there,
I am a business student studying in Victoria Canada. My girlfriend and I are flying to LA at the end of May/beginning of June to see Mumford & Sons play. I have a 12 day break from June 1st till the 12th, we are hoping to drive north along the west coast highway starting out in LA. If you have a car that needs to be driven from LA going north from there please let me know, ideally we would like to drive all the way to Seattle but other location such as San Fransisco and Portland will also be fine. We are both very honest and mature adults and would love some help with this to save on the expensive cost of renting a car and dropping it of in a different location.
Thank you,
Maciej Kudrycki
That would be from Minneapolis/St. Paul to LA or San Diego area.
Looking to drive a car to southern California in late July. Taking our son to college and would like to drive out and fly back but one-way rentals are too expensive. Family of three, non-smokers, excellent driving records.
WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE FROM TAMPA AREA TO CHICAGO THE 1ST OR 2ND WEEK OF JUNE. WOULD TAKE ABOUT 5 DAYS. THEN ILL FLY BACK IN JULY. JUST RETIRED. GREAT DRIVING RECORD.
We are 2 Swiss girls (26 and 30) on our world around trip…We gonna stay in canada in September… No plans where to stay… International licens. Would be great in West Canada, Alaska or West Amerika!! You can write us a e-mail to
[email protected]
I WILL HELP YOU GET YOUR CAR OR TRUCK AND TRAILER /I WILL HELP YOU MOVE /I HAVE SKIN CANCER THATS WHY IM GOING SO I JUST NEED A HAND TO GET THERE WITH TWO SMALL BOXS/ FROM PHOENIX TO FLORIDA IN MAY OR JUN / TAMPA AREA ? / IM 51 AND HAVE GOOD DRIVING RECORD / IM NON SMOKER FOR EVER AND TWO BOXES / IM LIVEING IN PHOENIX / 801-541-4723 / THANK YOU / ROB
I AM LOOKING TO MOVE AND DRIVE SOMEONES CSR OR TRUCK TO FLORIDA / TAMPA / St. Pete / CLEARWATER, FL / IN MAY / PLEASE CALL OR LET ME KNOW BY CALL / IM 51 AND I JUST HAVE TWO BOX,S TO TAKE WITH ME / 801-541-4723 / ROB
Im looking to drive one-way a little track or cargo van, or pick up from Clearwater Florida to Los Angeles.
Period about 5 to the 15 of may 2013.
I need to carry my things as Im moving there.
Im 48 years old and totally responsible and reliable. Great driver.
Write me: [email protected]
My Wife and I will be in Southern California, the first week in May. I would love to take her back across country to the New York area by Land. I am 59 years old with a Class A License with all Endorsements. I have no points or tickets, and I have been driving Big trucks since 1976. We are very clean and are not traveling with any pets, and neither or us smoke.
I am looking for a car to drive one-way across the country from Los Angeles to New England sometime in May 2013-June 2013. I have an excellent driving record and my dates and times are flexible.
I am looking for someone to drive my car from Seattle, WA to Dallas, TX in June 2013. Dates are flexible. If you are interested please email me at [email protected]
I could do it in july
If you need someone to drive your vehicle ANYTIME IN MAY from anywhere in the NORTHWEST TO ANYWHERE IN THE MIDWEST then I am your gal!
I have an excellent driving record, don’t require any payment and can even sign a contract or give you a down payment.
I would love to be able to cart a couple of small boxes along with me. Currently I am in Olympia, Washington and am looking to eventually end up in Illinois or Missouri, where my family is. The drop off point doesn’t matter though! I can get picked up from anywhere!
please email me if you think we could help each other out! I’m 29, a college graduate, super tidy and respectful and I would really just love to get out of the Northwest and home to my family.
[email protected]
My daughter & her BF need a car to drive from Tucson, AZ to Chicago, IL ASAP. She has a perfect driving record & has driven across county a few times. Very responsible driver. please contact me (Jenny) at [email protected]
BTW she is 15 days from her 25th birthday.
Looking for car to drive from New England area to Seattle in late June.
Very responsible and clean record.
Please contact me at: [email protected]
That’s long distances to the above inquiry. Typo.
I am looking to drive a vehicle from Las Vegas to Iowa/Minnesota mid April (18th or so). I am responsible, CDL licensed Driver with vast experience driving lng distances.
Hi,
We’re 4 scout traveling from Vancouver to Ottawa this summer and are looking for a way to do it:)
The three of us are used to driving, one have experience from the military. We’ve had our license around 5-6 years and are the age of 25-26.
We’re used to both manual and automatic. We have clean driver records and wont be driving alone and will take care of the care as if it was my dad volvo:)
We’re planning on leaving Vancouver around the 17th of july and are going to be part of the Scout Moot in Ottawa from the 7th of august.
Hello. I would like to drive your vehicle from California to New York at the end of August. I can drive a standard as easily as an automatic and am a non-smoker. I am mature and very responsible with a clean driving record. I would like to bring my impeccably well behaved staffordshire terrier for safety. I am a school social worker with many professional and personal references.
Thank you,
Debi
Hello. I would like to drive from New York to Los Angeles the beginning of July. Will consider trips that take me close to L.A. as well, such as LasVegas, Arizona or other parts of California. I am a school social worker with a clean driving record and many professional and personal references. I am bringing my travel companion for safety. He is a beautiful staffordshire terrior with impeccable behavior and no shedding. I am mature and very responsible.
Thank you,
Debi
I will drive your car, van. Across the country, state; with expierence, honesty, and responsbility of sincerity.
Good driving record and character ref’s are availble.
I know what I am doing and I know where to go. I drive solo and you can depend on me. Non smoker, non drinker.
Thank you for the opportunity and have a nice day.
[email protected]
I may be looking to move out west (to California) in the fall sometime of next year (September onwards). Does anyone have a vehicle they need moved from the NJ/NY region to California (near Oakland)? Please email me with inquiries at [email protected]. I have a clean driving record, 27 years old, and I would be driving solo. Much thanks, Caroline
The last drive from the comment above will start on april 10
Thank you
Also need someone to drive with me/take turn at the wheel on a rental small moving truck(regular drivers license) from LAS VEGAS to GREENSBORO, NC. That someone could jump off on the later part of the route.(Nashville/Knoxville/Charlotte).
Just driving 50%, nothing else – 100 bucks for your driving for your expenses.
I am 43 male and will be starting a new job in North Carolina. 34 hour drive, will be fun , but hard to drive alone.
My wife and daughter will treat for lunch/dinner before leaving.
Thanks !
would love to help you my schedule is open in belleville il. its right outside st. louis mo. 6183104024