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.
Mature driver with excellent driving record,will responsibly, safely, and respectfully drive your vehicle to St. Louis, Mo, Kansas City, Little Rock Arkansas, Nashville, TN or to any nearby destination anywhere in nearby states. Appx. June 15, 2014.
You must provide the gas, and a very small allowance for food and hotel. Car must be smoke free, reliable, and owner must have no issues whatsoever ever with law enforcement. I’m only interested in dealing with reputable, honorable upright, individuals. [email protected]
I am a responsible 27 year old male with a clean driving record who will be moving from Seattle to St. Louis at the end of July or beginning of August in order to attend Medical School. I am looking for a vehicle to drive out there so I can bring a number of items with me. If you have an interest, please contact me at [email protected]. I am willing to pay for gas.
Thank you so much!
My father is looking to drive a truck, mini van or large SUV from NY to FL anytime between June 25 and July 1st. He is moving down here and will have a few boxes, fishing poles and a bike. He just so happens to be very clean, organized and mechanical.
My brother (his son) is planning to drive with him to keep him company. Please email me if you need to get you vehcile down here to sunny FL.
[email protected]
Willing to drive a car from Cincinnati Ohio area to NY around July 13/15 for free. ( I will even pay for the gas). — I have a clean driving record.
email me at [email protected]
My wife and I are able to drive your car from southern California to New York/New England region in late July/early August. We are both Brown University alumni with teaching positions in Rhode Island and excellent driving records. We will pay for gas. No cost to you at all. Please contact asap. Thanks!
Hey Graham,
Im looking for someone to get my 2005 Ford Focus from Las Vegas to Boston. or at least close enough. I am relocating in the beginning of July, but don’t need the car until the start of the next school year in late august. My wife, two kids and I are going to drive one car, and I would really love to relocate the second instead of selling.
Let me know,
Jesse
Relocating a family member to Ft. Collins, CO. Arriving Denver area around July 5th, can go to Vegas within week. Will bring your car to upstate NY (Binghamton/Syracuse/Utica) the following week.
59 yr old, non-smoker, non-drinker, clean license.
Hi Jesse,
My partner and her son could drive your car from Las Vegas to Boston in the month of August. Are you still looking for someone? Email me your contact details at [email protected] and Ill get in touch with you straight away.
Anyone else that has a car that they need driven from the west coast to the east coast in August please also feel free to email me.
Thanks Chris
I’m in Manhattan and am looking to drive to Seattle around the end of July, but am willing to drive to LA instead. I’m 25 with a good driving record. If this works, let me know.
Oh, and my email is [email protected]
I am looking to drive someone’s car from Los Angeles/San Francisco in late July/early August to Seattle, WA around August 15/18th. please let me know if you need this service, will do for free. We are 22/23 with great driving records. email me at [email protected]
Looking to drive someone’s car from Wisconsin to Seattle, Washington. Would leave on July 6th and be in Seattle by July 9th. Clean driving record.
could you drive from Milwaukee area to Huntington Beach CA on/around July 29?
I am looking to travel mid july to LA I will need to leave around the 14th. If that works please let me know. I am 18 and have a perfect driving record.
Looking to drive someone’s car from the SF Bay Area to Chicago some time in early-mid August. I’ve got a clean driving record and take pride in being responsible. Please let me know if you’d like me to take care of your car on the open road around that time!
E-mail at [email protected]
I booked a cruise & did not think of it being around thanksgiving, flights are 2 or 3 times higher. if anyone needs a car to go from northern Kentucky, s. In. area to ft. Lauderdale fl . the last week of nov. we could help each other out. I am a 50+ male with a class a driver license & a perfect driving record.
WILL DRIVE YOUR CAR FOR FREE FROM LOS ANGELES TO HOUSTON. My 31 year old daughter is moving out of Los Angles. The two of us thought it might be nice to take a road trip back to Houston and also save the expense of shipping her 6 boxes of stuff as well as the one way car rental price. We want to leave L.A. on approx. 6/29/14 and plan to be in Houston on approx. 7/2/14. We are both responsible adults with safe driving records. Please email me if you are interested.
I have a Toyota Solara convertible that I need to have driven to the LA area (possibly Long Beach) for the end of July. I am just outside of Allentown, PA. Ideally, I’m looking for someone who needs to relocate to southern CA and would be willing to drive my car for free (think of it as a free car rental). Email me at [email protected]
Hello,
I will be going to Los Angeles last week of July from Denver. I can pick your car up from Denver if you had someone drive it to there. Let me know.
Cheers
Do you need to move your car to Los Angeles from Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh, NC area?
I will have to travel to Los Angeles, CA towards the end of June and was offering my services to relocate your car/vehicle to the Los Angeles area, especially if you are attending UCLA this coming Fall or are relocating there for work or opportunities.
I am very responsible and will treat your vehicle very well. I have about 14 years of driving experience and currently attend UCLA as a medical student (I include this so that you know that I am and have to be a responsible citizen). I have my CA car insurance as well, but we could take out more should you need any.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further information. Let me know if this is something that interests you.
Respectful, well-mannered, male would like to respectfully drive your car from anyplace in Cleveland OH or maybe Columbus OH to California. Please contact me for my driving history which is clear. I drive with the medical transportation company Provide A Ride. I would like to reach Cali by the end of June and before the 4th of July ideally! Thank you for your time.
Please text or call me at 614-929-1206 and please forgive my accent.
I am looking for someone to drive my Subaru from the SF Bay Area (San Jose) to just outside NYC (Tarrytown) the last week of August. The car could be picked up after August 22nd, and we need the car in Tarrytown by August 31. Please text or call at 646-417-4121 if you’re interested.
hi. i might be able to help you. do you provide expenses? sincerely, ali zand
Looking for a driver for our Toyota Prius from Northampton, MA to Davis, CA. Car would be ready for pick up around July 10, needs to be in Davis, CA by July 31. This gives you 3 weeks, but you could go more quickly if desired.
Please call Dave with inquiries: 413-695-9541
Looking to drive someone’s car from Seattle to Richmond, VA in beginning of August. Shoot me an email [email protected]
Forgot to say.. clean driving record! 🙂
Hello! I am looking to drive a vehicle- from anywhere around NY to California if there is one available. I have a great driving record. I am ready as soon as possible!
Alex
I am looking for someone to drive my car from NY to California (LA) around the end of July. Email me if interested. [email protected]
Hi Darcy,
I am available to drive your car from NYC to LA the end of July. I was planning to leave around July 30th and would take 3-4 days to get to LA. Please email me if you are interested. I have a clean driving record.
Hello, I arrive in NY from England at the end of July and am very much interested in driving across to LA. Would you be interested in some company? Or someone to share the drive with? Let me know. I have a full clean drivers license. Thanks, Dewi
Seattle->Vancouver?
Do you need your car or pickup driven from Seattle area (or Vancouver) to San Diego?
We would need to pick it up this weekend, May 30-31, June 1, if possible. Let us know if interested! We would pay for gas. Peter & Nona
Our tel is 604-872-7384
Hey! I am driving cross country from Los Angeles area to New York area and am looking for a car to drive cross country. Both LA and NY are flexible for the areas I am very willing to drive anywhere within 6 hours to pick up or drop off the car . Even if the destination is only half way across the country I can get it there!!!! Please if you are interested that would be so awesome…my name is Michelle and I am a nurse. I am very responsible and have a clean drivers record, well I have a clean record for everything. My phone number is 310 528 2552. I am leaving June 2, 2014
Looking to drive someones car or van from Maryland/Delaware area to central Florida ( orlando/clermont area ) around the 20th thru the 27th of june
posting additional info:
email……[email protected]……………excellent driving record, no accidents and no tickets
I am looking for someone that needs a Car, Van or truck delivered to Calif. FROM the Buffalo, New York area or close by anytime from June 20-24, 2014. I have been driving for over 30 years and have only had One parking ticket in that time, 20 years ago. I am a Safe and Careful driver. ( I will also be interested in the same for a return trip …. A Car, Van or Truck from Ca. to New York Around June 28-30, 2014 ) If interested, Please E-Mail Me or call ASAP ([email protected] … PH: 805-722-5772 )
My wife and I want to drive NYC-CHI around july 6th. We are tourists from Germany, late 40s, clean record. If we cannot find drive away, round trip renatl seems an option; in that case we are looking for someone to do the other leg, ie CHI-NYC either around jul 3 or 9. Get in touch.
Hi! I am looking to drive someones car from Northern Cali to the Midwest. My final destination is Madison Wi but would deliver to close states. I am a responsible 22 year male just finished 3 years at a ministry school. travel dates are flexible.
I’m trying to get started driving other people cars across country but don’t know where to start can anyone please help and send information about who to contact Thank you
Pat
I’m in same the boat as you. If you happen to get sent any good information on how to start, would you mind forwarding it to me? I will do the same for you.
Many thanks!
Andy