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 wife and I would like to deliver a car from San Francisco to LA from August 25th to August 31st. We are both professionals looking to relocate to California with strong references. (See LinkedIn profiles. You can reach me at 317-796-2503
Need Audi convertible car driven to San Jose Ca from Kansas City Mo. first week in June.
Hello.
I can make the journey for you.
Ima 43 yo male. I have a perfect driving record, full coverage ins.
Let me know if you’re interested.
Thanks, Rick.
Need 2007 Honda Civic (18,000 miles) driven from Spfld, MA to Houston Texas. Late June – early July.
Hi Paul,
I can drive the car for you starting July 1. I am a 46-year-old school teacher with a great driving record.
Please call to discuss: (914) 815-7222
Thanks!
Carrie
Hi, We are a highly educated family, and we are looking for a car/van to drive to Orlando Florida, leaving June 12. Looking for a van or a large suv. Family Vacation 1st time.
Hi, We are a highly educated family, and we are looking for a car/van to drive to Orlando Florida, leaving June 12. Looking for a van or a large suv.
Hello,
I’m looking for a car to drive from Chicago to Sacramento that is available starting May 30. My husband and I are moving cross-country and would love to do it for a cheaper buck than renting a car or U-Haul. We are flexible in the two locations – picking it up somewhere near Chicago and dropping it off near Sacramento (i.e. San Francisco Bay Area). If you need your car driven between the two places in late May/early June or know someone that does, please let me know. Thanks!
Hi! I am Christina. I am from NJ but taking a flight out to Denver May 22/23. We are driving from Denver to NJ and will be back in NJ on Monday, June 1.
If anyone in the area of CO or WY (because well likely be going up to Yellowstone!) has a car that needs to be driven to NJ/NY/Philly area by June, we would be happy to help and cover the gas of course!
We love to travel and love spending as little money as possible on board and transport, so we’d really appreciate it!
Hi..I am NY based (Putnam cty.) but can get your car from any boro NYC or even Ct or NJ…drive down to Fla. one way preferably near Boca Raton (and back if possible round trip) during the week of Aug. 9-16..please call 845-803-2257
Did you find any options of this trip. I need to go from NYC to South FL by July 26th. Thanks!
Need a lincoln town car driven from naples fl to seattle wa…360-271-6060.
I might be interested in moving your car. I need to travel from Ocala, FL to Kenmore (Seattle) end of June. Had several Lincolns and like to drive them.
Mature female with prestine driving record available to drive your vehicle from NY, Hudson River area to Chicago or Chicago suburbs, any time from 31st of May to June 5.
I will be dropping my daughter’s car off in Biloxi, MS on or about June 5th. I will drive your car or truck back to the Pacific Northwest. Excellent driving record, and credit references. Non-smoker. Non-drinker. I won’t even change your radio station buttons.
Financial details negotiable.
Please Support our Service men and women.
i need to get from around Tulsa, OK to Minneapolis area on June 5th. Anyone need a car driven to MN from OK? Non smoker, excellent driving record, DO NOT tailgate! 🙂
I have a truck in Kansas City that I want to DC by June 12. But I know that is only half of your trip …
After living in Europe for 3 years, we are moving back to the United States. We currently have a Ford F150 pick up truck with super crew cab in Kansas City, Mo. We are interested in having our truck brought to the Washington, DC or Norfolk, VA area for our return, prior to but not later than June 12, 2015. We are looking for a responsible person with a good driving record, no smoking in the vehicle. Thank you!
Hi, i saw your ad and i thought it maybe, maybe could fit my travelingplan. I need to be back in New York airport 8 of june, flying back to Europe arriving from Jasper. Mo. If you think this sounds interesting you can contact me for further discussions.
Sincerelly
Dag E.
Sweden
I’m planning to drive from Oregon to DC Sat 6/13 – Sat 6/20.
I’m 54 years old, non-smoker, with an absolutely perfect
driving record. Never a single accident. Never a point on
my license. I teach defensive driving techniques to friends
and family.
Interested?
–Fred
[email protected]
My wife and I would like to deliver a car from San Francisco to LA June 10th to the 17th. Lots of references. You can reach me at 610-856-0825
Looking to find a SUV sized vehicle that is needed to driven from the midwest to the southwest.
I have a Ford F150 super crew that I am interested in getting from Kansas City to Washington DC
Anyone in the Palm Springs and/or LA area need their car driven to Chicago or suburban Illinois? I need to get back for the summer for a job and am looking to leave sometime around May 25, so I can be in Illinois around Memorial Weekend. Responsible 50 y.o. male with clean driving record.
We are looking for a responsible individual to drive our Ford Flex from Cape Cod to Los Angeles, leaving Cape Cod on Aug 20- need car in LA by Aug 23. A contract and references will be required.
Dr Monica Westley
Hi Dr. Westley,
My boyfriend and I are from Massachusetts and we are planning to travel to Los Angeles the week of August 16 to 26 for a wedding. We do not like to fly, and in light of the recent train accidents, we want to travel via car. We saw your ad and welcome the opportunity to transport your Ford Flex. You can reach me at 413-588-8449.
Sincerely, Althea Wilson Berkowitz
Hi, we are both well educated, non-smoking, clean driving records, very responsible (and meticulous) individuals 46 & 52 need a car from NJ to Cleveland, OH area on the week of Apr 30 or May 7th. Let us know if we can meet our needs. We will be covering our own expenses.
We are a traveling family and after driving through 20 European countries we are heading to the USA to see our children’s grandparents. We can drive any vehicle (sedan and larger) from anywhere in New England (or thereabouts) to anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (or close to it) leaving anytime in June or July. We have a perfect driving record and after driving through 20 countries, we are ready for any roadblocks that may arise. I know that many people may not want a family with children in their car but we assure you our children are very well traveled and respectful of spaces and property. We are flexible on times and dates. We are both working professionals that are trying to show our children the world and we look for creative solutions whenever possible. We would be honored to deliver your vehicle safely and to have the opportunity exceed your expectations. Contact us through our blog at http://www.livology.com if you may consider our services. Thank you!
I have a Chrysler Town and Country mini-van (seats 7) in NYC that I want to get to Denver to give to a friend. I’ll be ready to part with it some time in June. I know you want to get to the Pacific Northwest, but Denver is at least halfway there, so I thought you might consider it. The mini-van is in great shape, has transported kids and dogs for 15 years without ever breaking down. It has about 110,000 miles on it and I will have it tuned up before it goes. Let me know if you are interested!
Hello Kathryn,
I was wondering if you still needed your vehicle transported to Denver Colorado. My boyfriend and I are soon moving to Colorado and I came across this post. If this option is still available, please contact me at (484)300-7103 Thank you and hope to hear from you soon. ~Sally
We are a traveling family and after driving through 20 European countries we are heading to the USA to see our children’s grandparents. We can drive any vehicle (sedan and larger) from anywhere in New England (or thereabouts) to anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (or close to it) leaving anytime in May or June. We have a perfect driving record and after driving through 20 countries, we are ready for any roadblocks that may arise. I know that many people may not want a family with children in their car but we assure you our children are very well traveled and respectful of spaces and property. We are flexible on times and dates. We are both working professionals that are trying to show our children the world and we look for creative solutions whenever possible. We would be honored to deliver your vehicle safely and to have the opportunity exceed your expectations. Check out our family story http://www.livology.com if you may consider our services. There is also a contact form on the blog if you have a vehicle we could transport for you! Thank you!
Hey everyone. Trying to get a car from my parents house in the suburbs of Chicago to Miami area as soon as possible. It’s a 2005 hyundai elantra so it is kind of small, keep in mind. Anyone? Contract will be made of course.
Elizabeth, mature man , non smoker ,non drinker, able to drive your car. contact me. thankyou.
retired nonsmoker like to drive can leave tonight. have to be back by next thurs
Hi, We are a highly educated family, and we are looking for a car/van to drive from NJ to San Francisco May 20 ~ May 30. Please let me know if you need your car/van moved. There won’t be any cost for you. thanks.
We have a car that needs to go from Boston/Cape Cod to Austin, TX. Let me know if that works into your plans.
Hi Elizabeth,
I am in Boston and looking to travel to Austin. Please feel free to contact me.
Thank you, Winston
Looking for work…..
I am in need of traveling to the Seattle area this weekend and would be willing to drive someones car from San Diego county to the Seattle area if needed. I am a California Notary Public and certified loan closer with complete criminal background check.
Have you found a car? I need one too, I thought we could possibly share…..I am flexible with times.