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.
My fiance and I are getting married in St Thomas and flying out of Ft Lauderdale 11/04/14. We were planning to drive down making stops along the way like Va Bch, Myrtle Bch, Charleston & Savannah before making it to Florida. She is 60 and a retired school teacher and myself 59 Sales Director who has spent a lot of time on the road. We are both responsible and safe drivers. We planned to leave the RI area end of October so would roughly be 4 days of driving. Willing to answer any questions you may have and come up with an agreement that would be suitable for all, cut cost for both parties.
I am looking to drive someones car from Texas to New York. I am a student and thinking of going to school closer to home. I am looking to drive in mid December.
Looking to drive a car from San Francisco to Las Vegas leaving August 28.
Married couple in 50s, both with excellent driving records, would be happy to drive your vehicle from greater Houston, Texas area to the Baltimore/Washington area in late September, 2014. We would like to visit family north of Baltimore, and make the return trip by air. Ultimate destination is Carroll County, Maryland, but we can get there from anywhere in the B/W metroplex via public transportation, and “a little help from our friends”, after we safely drop off your vehicle. We’d like to make the trip over 4-5 days.
Joe and Elizabeth
me and my best friend, would be happy to drive a car from the East Coast to the West Coast, from September on. but we are flexible, also Illinois, Detroit, Florida, etc. would work for us.
I am looking to have a car driven from RI to east coast of FL, sometime between Dec. 4th – Dec. 6th, 2014. R u interested?
My partner and I are available to drive a vehicle from Austin TX to Los Angeles CA at the beginning of October 2014.
We are a travelling couple from New Zealand and are looking to discover places in the USA we have not been.
We both have many years driving experience, with full licences and clean records.
Please contact us if this suits you.
I am looking for someone to drive my manual Honda Civic from **NC to Southern California*** Please contact me if this works for you!
[email protected]
Email me or text me 919-931-9976
I live in Raleigh NC and could possibly do this for you ASAP
i would love to drive your car for u to city or town u need it im a good driver and good driving record u can call me at 1872 237 5471 i live in goldsboro north carolina feel free to call me .thank u
hello,
My wife and myself wants to do the route66 from 29th of September until the 11th of October 2014. Our trip would either start in las vegas and end in Chicago, either start in Chicago and end in Las Vegas. pick up and/or drop off can be done 1 day later or sooner respectively.
We don’t care about the direction, but we need to know in advance because we need to book our flights.
I’m an experienced driver with 25 years of driving experience in a lot of countries. Car can be automatic or manual.
I’m traveling from Marin County (San Francisco Bay Area) to San Diego on August 21 and would be happy to pick up and deliver a car from anywhere in the Bay Area and drive it to San Diego area. Leaving on August 21 and I can deliver the car on August 22 or 23 – depending on your needs. I have a clean driving record, fully-insured, I’m a non-smoker and an excellent driver.
I will be visiting my son in San Diego then have a flight from San Diego to Florida (vacation). I’m happy to pay for the gas after seeing what a one-way rental costs! Please call me @ 530-913-4553 if interested. Thank you!
Hi,
I am social worker, starting a new life episode in Colorado springs. Would love to find someone that needed a van or truck driven from the east (w. Ma) to the west at the end of August.
Happy to discuss details.
Look forward to any inquiries.
Sara
We need someone to drive our car from Minneapolis to Myrtle Beach SC around August 24th 2014. We have a honda civic 4 door sedan 2000. If no one is available to drive our car at that time we need someone to drive it from Minneapolis to Myrtle Beach SC anytime from around Christmas, 2014 or the first few days of January 2015. Please email at [email protected]
Hi, I need my car to be driven from San Diego, CA to Austin, TX. Leaving San Diego by August 10th. I would pay for gas and we can negotiate something extra.
Please contact me at [email protected]
Thanks!
Planning ahead, I am selling my Seattle house in the spring [2015] and am moving to Michigan with my two horses. I’m looking for someone experienced with horses to travel with me. Plan on sightseeing, riding, and horse camping along the way, taking maybe 7-10 days to do the trip.
Hello Rose Marie. My name is Anthony and I live in West Virginia where I have most all of my 46 years. My family owns a 300 acre farm and we have always had horses. I am experienced handling and caring (properly) for them. I am an animal lover in general. I am a single man and live alone so I would have zero restrictions put on me to travel and help your move with 2 horses more enjoyable with less headaches and I’m a fun person to be around so my company and being someone that knows how can help. I love traveling, sightseeing, camping, building camp fires, taking pictures, etc and building great memories. If I seem of any interest as in meeting your needs, I may be emailed at [email protected] or my number is 304-669-7588. I do not like to answer calls from unknown callers so if you’d call and no answer, please leave a message and I will promptly return your call. Or you can send text messages to my number. Seems that has become the major way of conversing these days anyway lol. At least within my circle of conversations. Thank you for your time and I hope I can help. Take care.
Tony
looking to drive someone’s car in next few days before August 10th, 2014 from Seattle to LA.
50 yrs old male, responsible CA licensed individual.
please contact me at
[email protected]
my name is Daniel I crossed yourapplication and I am really interested in driving for you please contact me at (602) 441-4805that is my house number I look forward to hearing from you thank you have a wonderful day
Hi
I live in Los Angeles and looking to drive towards the Midwest – preferably Michigan (specifically Detroit), but flexibly on other cites near Michigan.
45 yr old male, currently have a few months off before I start work again, and looking to drive to meet family in Michigan. I can leave soon (in the next few days) or available again mid August.
Clean driving record, I’d be traveling alone, just a suitcase.
Contact info:
[email protected]
M: (917) 992 8682
Thanks,
Jason
Hello. my name is Diane and my moms name is patty. we are currently living in orlando, fl area and are trying to get to ca. im not sure how this works but my uncle had mentioned it. we need to get to CA fast but cant afford a rental. this would be a one way trip for my family and i. if anyone is interested in the area in having us drive your car from FL to CA we will pay for gas. ASAP would be awesome. but could plan something out and arrange dates. for more information on where we are and where you are wanting us to take the car please call or text 407-754-7071. or email [email protected]
I may need a driver from Tampa to Palm Springs in the next few days…
Bridgid
[email protected]
Hello! I’m an Architect from the Netherlands planning to go on a cross-country trip with a good friend. We are able to leave New York mid-September and we would prefer to end up in California from mid- to end of October.
We both have a drivers license. I have had mine for 6 years now and am experienced a lot in driving through other countries. Please contact me if you are searching for someone to drive your car to California (or a nearby State) and I can give you more information about myself!
Best,
Michael
Hi! I am available to drive a car or SUV from the Puget Sound area to San Diego on August 7th or 8th (arriving in Sd on the 10th or 11th). I am mature, responsible, and would have my 11 year old son with me. I would pay for gas. Need someone to drive your car down south? Please give me a call.
Sandy (619) 224-6847
Moving a new university student from the Denver metro area to Chicago in mid September. Need a large SUV-type vehicle to transport a bike and other items – likely a full load. If your schedule corresponds with ours we will move your car for free (except for the first tank of gasoline). Prefer a non-smoking car that is less than five years old. Clean driving record and insurance.
hi, I am curious to see if you were able to secure such a situation yet? My wife and I are moving our daughter from connecticut to a florida university and we were looking to do the same thing. Any success yet?
Thanks, Eric
Whom are you addressing? I have had no replies.
Hello,
I happen to be in need of a responsible driver for driving my older but
great running condition car from Glastonbury CT to closest area of Vero Beach FL.
Kindly call Mark for further details and arrangements. 860-680-4946-
My girlfriend and I are driving cross-country in early August and need a car to do so. We would be leaving from NY (MA, CT, and D.C. are also fine starting points) and ending somewhere near the west coast. We both have impeccable driving records along with insurance. Please let me know if anyone needs a vehicle to be driven out west. It would be greatly appreciated. Please contact at [email protected].
Hello there,
Myself and the wife are visiting from Scotland, arriving Chicago on 17 September 2014.
I am a retiree with 40 years driving experience and a clean (clean for past five years) licence. Do you have any vehicle needing to be delivered to Los Angeles or thereabouts around 6 October?
If so, I’m your man! We would prefer a motor-home but willing to consider all.
Hey looking to drive a car from NY to Florida area in Mid-late Aug. I have clean driving record. Let me know!
Thanks Nathan
We need someone to drive our 2nd car, which will be packed to the brim, from NY to FL on 8/31. We will be driving straight through (16 -17 hrs. With quick stops every 2 1/2 hrs) in our other car. Any interest?
Getting from DC to California from last day of July to lasts of August – in between I am visiting universities for some research purposes – I am open to convey a car from East to West coast (being 57 and in good shape proves my cautious drive, doesn’t it?)
Willing to drive your truck From Florida to Washington and split cost of gas provided you allow me to tow my new boat I recently purchased in FLA. I Hold a Class1 drivers license have a clean record no tickets and drive for a living.
My sons and I are moving out to southern CA from MA in late August. We have a car and a truck that need to go out. I am much more comfortable in the car, so am hoping to find an experienced driver who is willing to drive the truck. (My boys and dog would stay with me 🙂 ) I am flexible with time, and care mostly about your safety. I am prepared to pay for the gas. Can we talk about it? [email protected]
Hi Bonnie – I am driving my daughter – or hoping to – to San Diego California – we would love to help you out and drive your truck for you. Feel free to email me so we can discuss if this will work for both of us. Thanks so much!
Toni
My boyfriend and I are moving back to Sydney in the fall and have flexible dates. We are flying out of LA, and are looking to drive from the Outer Banks of NC (or surrounding areas on east coast) to LA. Mature and Responsible with a clean driving record. If you have a vehicle that needs relocated to the West Coast please message me! Am looking to leave October-ish.
Melissa –
It seems like our situations might be a great fit for each other – I have a manual Honda Civic coupe in Fuquay Varina, NC that I need driven to the LA area as soon as possible. Please contact me if you are interested!
email: [email protected]
text: (919) 607-5494
I will DRIVE your car from Spartanburg, SC (area) to anywhere as long as I get a way back, get paid for driving, paid gasoline, etc. No Accidents 20+ years, great clean record, former police officer, current insurance. Just msg me.