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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2,255 thoughts on “Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free”

  1. Two college students in our early 20’s hoping to drive from the San Francisco Bay to New England in early/mid January (flexible departure and arriving location). Clean records and experience driving long distances.
    Please email:
    [email protected]

    Reply
  2. Hello everyone !
    I am planning to go from Los Angeles to Chicago in may-June 2015 with my father. We are both responsible drivers and would be ready to drive your car if needed. Don’t hesitate to come back to me so that we can discuss more about it : [email protected]
    Thanks !

    Reply
  3. Hello, I have a perfect driving record, mother of 2 boys – Ordained minister and Life coach. I am planning on going to Denver Colorado from Dallas Texas Area, if anyone needs their car driven in that location. I am available- planning on Driving Jan 1-2 and will return Jan 5-6, 2015. I can drive a car to you and if someone needs a car brought back to Texas, I would be delighted to provide the service. I was a limo driver for many years and can drive very well and carefully. I do not smoke and will not hurt your vehicle. This is for pay or at least you need to pay for gas, etc.

    Contact me ASAP
    813-508-8471

    Reply
  4. looking for a vehicle to transport to alaska, preferably via the alcan hwy. to southcentral (anchorage, wasilla) or interior alaska (fairbanks). am flexible on timing, but march or april, 2015 is best.
    drove commercially and have a clean driving record.
    am in western colorado south of grand junction.

    Reply
  5. Hi there,
    So here is the scoop: I am moving to Berkeley, CA the end of this month and am looking for a responsible driver to drive my trusty Subaru Impreza to Northern California (preferably Santa Rosa but could be anywhere in the bay area). The right candidate for this job is someone honest and dependable with an impeccable driving record and vast driving experience. You will be responsible for filling the tank and delivering the car to me no later than Jan 5th and in return you get a reliable and free ride! Pick-up dates/location is flexible. Non-smokers only please.

    Reply
  6. I am willing to drive any kind of truck From Nashville TN to Las Vegas NV and split cost of gas “depending on truck” provided you allow me to tow my custom 1950 Ford F1 rat rod. I Hold a Class A CDL drivers license have a clean record no tickets no accidents and can provide driving record I drive for a living. Looking to leave by 12/8/14. Thank you Text only to 702 469 31ninefour

    Reply
  7. Hello, My Name Is Ambur And I Have A Ca Drivers License With A Clean Driving Record.
    I Am Very Interested In This I Have Never Really Been Anywhere Except Southern California When I Was Younger..
    So I Am Very Interested In Helping People Looking For A Very Reliable, Honest, Clean, Friendly, Dependable Individual Who Is Willing To Get Your Vehicle To Where You Desire On The Scheduled Time… I Am A Individual Who’s Schedule Is Completely Open And Flexible At This Time In Her Life…
    I Am Located In Northern California Butte County, Ca To Be More Exact…So Please Feel Free To Contact Me If You Like..
    I Will Answer Any Questions You May Have And Can Supply You With A Copy Of My Clean Driving Record And California Drivers License From DMV & A Clean Drug Test As Well As A Clearance Of My Fingerprints If Absolutely Needed..

    Contact Email Is : Ambur Reference To About Delivering My Vehicle .
    @ [email protected]

    Thank You To All Whom Take Time To Read My Post It Is Very Much Appreciated..

    Sincerely, Ambur B

    Reply
  8. Hey, my boyfriend and I (25 and 26 yrs old, both on full licenses) are from Australia currently road-tripping around the US. We’re looking to drive from New Orleans to New York on or around the 11th Jan 2015.
    If anyone needs a car driven that route please get in contact.
    Cheers,
    Laura

    Reply
  9. Hi,

    I need my car driven from San Jose California to meet me either at the Buffalo Airport in New York for when my flight arrives. My flight is for March 3, 2015 and need it there by 1030pm. The other option is to Oshawa, Ontario Canada. Pick up would be around February 22/23, 2015

    Reply
  10. I’m looking for a car to drive from West coast to East coast in mid January.
    I am pretty flexible with the pick-up / return location and the dates.
    I am California driving license holder and have clean driving records and vast experience of driving. There will be one friend travelling with me.
    Any type of car would work for us.

    If you have a car that needs to be moved to the East coast – let me know 🙂

    [email protected]
    [email protected]

    Reply
  11. Hi! I am a consultant, mid-50s – would love to drive your car from Chicago to either NYC or near Stamford, CT right after Christmas! I am moving there for a new job.

    I have a few belongings to take along, but not many – a television set, and about 8 boxes, which I will pick up along the way in a small town in Michigan.

    Hope to hear from you!

    [email protected]
    My name is Reed

    Reply
  12. I would like to drive your vehicle from Milwaukee or SOUTH OF MILWAUKEE to Fort Lauderdale Florida area December 23, 24 or 25, 2014 arriving in Fort Lauderdale Florida no later than Dec 27th, 2014. Vehicle must be insured I will pay for the gas and leave you with a full tank and a car wash. Eric [email protected]

    Reply
  13. My husband and I would like to drive cross country from NJ to San Diego Ca within the the next month or so to visit my elderly mom. We both have excellent driving records. We can both drive manual or automatic vehicles. If anyone needs their vehicle transported please contact me at [email protected]

    Reply
  14. Hi,

    My fiance and I are traveling from San Diego to Northern NJ and would like to leave by December 15th. We are both non-smoking, responsible drivers in our early 30s. I’ve been employed as a courier for the last 4 years at a very well known medical laboratory and therefore must keep an impeccable driving record. Let me know if this sounds like something that would work for you! We can’t wait to get back home to Jersey! 🙂

    Thank You!
    Jose

    Reply
  15. Hi!

    I live in New York City and am looking to drive to LA (or anywhere else in California) with my husband on December 20. I am a 31 year-old medical student with a clean driving record. Let me know if I can lend a hand! I can most easily be reached at [email protected].

    Chat Soon,
    Katherine

    Reply
  16. ill be going from New York to Texas in the end of december – beg of January. I can drive your car from new york to texas, im not really looking for money. As long as you pay for gas and tolls that should be fine 🙂

    please email me at [email protected] if you need help

    Reply
  17. You would think that with as many people that are trying to list driveway services you would have some system up here to search the exact dates & destinations.
    There are tons more people here trying to do it than the actually driveway site has that you recommend.

    Anyways I have 2 responsible girls looking to transport any vehicle from SF to LA dec 17th.
    This is one of them http://www.nikisaletta.com

    Hit me up if you know of one.
    Caryn 818-266-7127

    Reply
  18. Hi
    My name is Ronny
    I have a very reliable Ford E350 short bus. Like a small school bus. I can haul cargo or a vehicle on trailer from Midwest to anywhere. Located in Upper Peninsula Mi, visit family and friends in Kalamazoo and Catskill Mtns of NY, so can originate from these areas (or anywhere in-between) as well.
    Can match or beat any price.
    I am 45
    Perfect driving record
    Father of 4
    Very safe and dependable.

    Thank you
    Ronny

    Reply
  19. I need to transport an unregistered, non-running 2000 Dodge Mini-van from Tampa, FL area to Louisville, KY leaving 11-20. I need to be in Louisville by noon on 11-22. I am hoping someone has a truck and trailer for this move. I realize this is a long shot.

    Reply
  20. We will be traveling from Michigan to Florida on December 5, 2014. Husband is a truck driver with CDL-A with years of experience. No pets or smoking. We are traveling with my sister and her family in another car, so we will have transportation once we get there.

    Reply
  21. Will drive your vehicle from Wisconsin to Florida, Fort Meyers, Naples or Tampa area in November, December & January. Great driving record. Minimum 3 days to transport. Gas expenses and fee of $250 Call 262 327-0152

    Reply
  22. Hello i live in Lafayette Louisina and i am visiting my friend in San Rafael California for thanksgivings and i can drive anyones car that needs driving….. you can contact me at
    [email protected] or call 337 849 9258
    excellent driving record
    thanks 🙂

    Reply
  23. I am going to Kansas for a funeral and I live in Tampa Florida. First week in November. I was seeing if any SUVs or Pickups needed delievered. After the funeral I have a car that needs to be brought back to Florida and I dont know what shape its in so I was going to trailer it back. I will pick up the expenses and gas

    Reply

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