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.
I will be available to drive a car from Buffalo, NY to Orlando, FL the last week of April or 1st week of May.
I am a mature male visiting Atlanta, and will be heading back to Chicago this weekend. If you would like you vehicle dropped off in one the surrounding Chicago suburbs, I will be happy to have you vehicle there by Monday the 20th.
My name is Randy I live on Maui Hawaii and like to go to the mainland once a year with my girlfriend Sonia I visit my family and friends in Northern California and then usually drive to Florida to visit my uncle or vice versa I usually either rent a car or buy a car or van and sell itI am 52 years old I have a clean driving record still employed.if you need your truck car van or motorhome transported across the country anytime from April let me know I have over a month of vacation time.
give me a call 808 283 3687 I’m very flexible.
Need your car driven from Seattle/Western Washington to Northern California, or close by? Please let me know. I am looking for a car mid May-mid June, and will cover gas. Responsible, non-smoker, clean driving record. Let me know, thanks.
Looking to drive car from Pasadena to N Va/DC o/a June 8. Father returning home with son after school year.
I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant I need driven to Los Angeles right away. very road worthy. Great car.
FROM CHICAGO TO Los Angeles
Drive Your PICKUP from MARYLAND to SAN DIEGO, CA
Hello, I have a trailer (small) in Maryland. I would like to fly into Baltimore-Washington International, collect your Pickup, hook up my trailer and drive it to San Diego, CA. I will cover all fuel and my own expenses. I am 62, non smoker, non drinker, no drugs, perfect driving record and own my home. My trailer is covered under my insurance policy. I would like to do this between last week of April and 1st week of May. Text me 619-654-7108. I can email more information. Thanks
Mature man , non smoker, non drinker, simi retired, seeking adventure in travel. Located between Pittsburgh Pa. and Washington D.C. Will drive your car anywhere for cost of travel ,return fare, and negotiable fee.
Hello: I am travelling from Melbourne, FL area to Seattle, WA area. Schedule is flexible. I do not fly, and would like to drive your well-running vehicle. Non-smoker (of anything), clean driving record, insured, great references, very healthy and responsible 50 yr old. US Navy Veteran. I have a well-mannered small 12 lb pup who is also a great traveler. I have driven across the US three times. Please contact me via email.
hello, i am driving a minivan from Chicago to Los Angeles around 13th of april. was suppose to drive back with my son but plans got messed up. anyway i am looking for someone who also needs to get to Los Angeles who can help drive so i don’t have to stop to sleep.
if interested please call Abe… 8one8 8 two two 4 four 4 two
Hi everyone,
I’m an experience driver planning to drive from either San Francisco or Portland to New York within the first week or so of May. Dates and exact locations are flexible. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you need someone!
All the best,
My wife and I (responsible educators with clean driving record) are going from CT June 20th to Miami, New Orleans, and Houston area, heading back home July 6th. Leaving July 11 to NY, MA, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, up West Coast, over to Denver and then back to CT by August 15th. We are willing to drive anyone’s car for any part of either trip. Email [email protected] with any questions.
I am looking for a car from Denver to Albuqerque. My flight arrives at 11:30pm on 4-8-15. A car also for the return trip from Albuquerque to Denver on 4-29-15. My flight will leave at 10:00pm
Need a 2005 Audi Quatro 4A driven from Everett, WA to Oconomowoc, WI ASAP. Email any quotes to [email protected]
My Fiance and I are looking to travel from Boston to California next week beginning Mon 6th April. Is there anyone that needs there car driven to this location free of charge?? We want to see certain tourist attractions along the way and will cover Gas costs.
Hey if you haven’t found anyone,
You can email me. I have a car in CT that I’d like to get to Cali
We will be arriving in CT in two weeks and would love to drive your car to Cali if you still have that need. Thank you so much!
Me, my wife and our 8 months old daughter are planning to go to San Francisco Bay area in first week of June from Boston. We both are in our late 20s and we keep things clean. We’d cover for gas and looking for some mini-van, SUV for this purpose. If someone thinks we fit their profile so contact me at 774-284-3932
If you need a car in first week of June then I am interested. I have a clean driving record and we both do not drink or smoke at all.
Hi,
I am driving from Chicago to Orlando, Florida in my Mazda 3 on 28th March 2015 . If any one interested to join me please email me [email protected]. I have a good driving history.
Thanks
Sheshi
Hi, my name is Laura looking to drive from sc to texas area. Clean driving record, very experienced at long hauls. Please email if you can use me. Thanks
I live in Hawaii and going to go to Northern California to visit friends and relatives then would like to drive to Florida to visit my uncle and spend some time on the road doing some sightseeing with my girlfriend.I am 50 years old I have an excellent driving record and references still employed if you would like me to drive your vehical to Florida give me a call or reply 808.283.3687.
Thank you
Hello!
I am experienced in driving cars across the country, from New York to California or near California. (I am willing to work with other locations. I am from San francisco, California and live in New York City so I make this drive often.) I am currently available the month of August and am looking to book something from the last week of July on. I have a perfect driving record with no accidents (this can be viewed) and genuinely like driving and seeing the country. Fuel will be paid up front (depending on vehicle) and a contract will be signed. Price also depends on the amount of time allowed to transport vehicle. Thank you so much and I hope to help you out with your move! [email protected]
Looking for someone to drive 2005 Ford Freestyle with just over 35000 miles on it from Northern NJ to Houston, TX ASAP. Car was inherited from 95 yr old uncle so it’s in excellent condition. Recently serviced for 35000 miles. Anyone interested please email me at [email protected].
Thank you.
do you still need driver?
Relocating from Portland, Oregon to New Orleans, Louisiana. Looking to transport your car to southeastern destination. Mature and reliable, with clean driving record.
Available mid April through May 1, 2015.
Hi,
Me and my friend Abbi are travelling from LAS Vegas to LA on 9th August 2015. Both aged 23 years old with full UK driving license been driving since we was 17 years old.
We will be travelling with two backpacks we will be staying in LA until 19th September 2015.
If anyone needs a car driving for them please contact me : [email protected]
Thanks
I need someone to drive my pick up truck from colorado to the los angeles area
Al 8one8 seven88 seven 0 3 niner
pick up address is
autonation ford littleton
8252 south broadway
littleton CO 80122
drop off address is
19725 sherman way
winnetka ca 91306
All:
I am interested in moving your vehicle. Contact me at garylego @gmail.com so I may put together a quote for you. Thanks.
Gary
I ned someone to drive my pick up truck from colorado to the los angeles area
Al 8one8 seven88 seven 0 3 niner
Hi-
My fiance and I are moving from LA to NYC the last week of May. We need a car to drive to either Illinois, Pittsburgh, or New York. We are making stops in those three places and will only be traveling with some of my things (no furniture). We both have clean drive records and will pay for gas. Message me and we can talk more.
Thanks so much,
Alexandra
The only SPAM this Hawaii guy is close to is w/eggs & rice for breakfast or on my sandwich for lunch! What makes you think I’m full of shit??
Wally