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.
Very interested in driving a car from New Orleans ,La. to Charlotte, NC area
Labor Day Weekend to Tuesday after Labor Day. I am a little flexible. I am moving my daughter to New Orleans to live/work and I need to get back to North Carolina.
Renting a car would be fine with no drop off fee. Non smoker. Single mom setting my daughter up and the cost is leaving me uncomfortable. Good driving record.
Thanks, Marcia Angelette
704 451 0823
Will be free to drive anywhere in the USA 9\10\15, would require money for expenses. Over 50, don’t drink ,don’t smoke, no drugs,,[ last gf said I was boring ]. Seeking adventure in travel, contact [email protected] . no contraband my references are law men.
Katy and I (in our 50s) want to drive your car LA to ATL or to FL from mid Nov ’15 over ~2weeks as we stop along the way with friends. If this sound like you, please say hi!
Recently retired, age 57, former federal govt employee looking to transport your vehicle from Milwaukee area to and from to almost anywhere!
I will drive your van or car from CO to FL anytime in August, 2015
Do you need your car driven from Washington, DC to either Salt Lake City, UT or San Francisco, CA? I am available starting on August 21st to transport your vehicle, free of charge. I am an experienced driver with a clean driving record. I would treat your car as if it was my own. Contact me if interested!
if you’re still available to drive to San Francisco please contact me at 202 320 5283
I am looking for a non smoking driver with a clean driving record to drive my honda civic from North Hollywood CA to Montvale NJ by August 21st.
I need a 2002 Subaru Legacy station wagon to be driven from Flagstaff or Phoenix to Boston sometime before August 31st. Let me know!–Steve
Does anyone need their vehicle to be relocated between Arizona and Wisconsin? Or the other direction from Wisconsin to Arizona. Any time in mid August through October. I have insurance through State Farm, I’m 60 and an excellent driver.
My wife and I will be driving from Seattle to Orlando in the month of April, 2016. Must be in Orlando sometime before April 30th. We both have perfect driving records. We are 70 and 73. Both in very good physical condition. No Rx’s no disabilities at all. Neither wears or needs glasses.
Experienced driver looking to go from the Fort Pierce FL. area to Portland Maine area at the end of August, beginning of Sept. Clean driving record, Experience with all types of vehicles. (Limo’s, Police cars, Fire Engines, passenger vans, etc. / automatic, standard)
traveling from Phoenix/Tucson area to Oakland/SanFrancisco area early-mid September. Will drive your car, clean driving record, 30+ years of age
Larry
Available, interested and qualified Thanks Don
I’ll be flying into the west coast towards the end of Sept. or beginning of Oct. and need to make it to Illinois. Does anyone need a driver for their car at that time and in those locations?
Thanks!
I made it! 2 weeks in central California , hello san Francisco. If you need a car or truck driven east coast, gmail me. Would need gas money , no contraband . [email protected]
Looking for an experienced driver to drive a family of 3 from JFK airport to Youngstown,Ohio in September. I’m renting an luxury suv, any one interested email me.
Offer to drive a car or larger moving van or truck to west coast in September or October. Could be anywhere but would prefer northwest. I’m 27, male, with clean driving record. Experience with driving cross country and driving up to 26′ moving trucks. Would request gas money, and a negotiable daily fee – especially if it’s a moving truck job.
I can drive your car, truck, motorhome, etc from Atlanta to New Jersey on August 7, 2015
18 year driving record. I can drive from the NY/NJ/CT/Philly area to anywhere on the West Coast and Canada. Flexible schedule in July and August. Please don’t hesitate to call or text me at 646-893-9398, to discuss the details. Thanks.
My girlfriend and I (25 yrs old) are moving to the San Francisco Bay Area from New York/Long Island area anytime from July 31st to August 3rd. We both have clean driving records and family along the way to California. Would love to help anyone out by driving a car out West. We would need space for our luggage and a few items.
Shoot me an email if you have a need for a driver!
Going to California july 21, plan to fly, but could drive a car, truck, or U-Haul. Located between Pittsburgh pa and Washington dc. Over 50, don’t drink, don’t smoke. Would require gas money. If you need help e mail [email protected]. willing to drive either direction. Will not transport contraband.
Hi,
I would like to drive your car from Dallas to to Toronto.. I am flexible with dates. I am a safe and a responsible
driver.
7/10/15- Looking for someone right away to drive from the Washington DC area to Austin Texas area. Must be an insured driver.
Two responsible, Brooklyn female teachers looking to drive someone’s car from New York City or nearby city to Las Vegas or somewhere in between (New Mexico, Texas). Would like to leave second week of August and drop off car around August 31st. Please respond with any leads. Thank you.
I’m a Vietnam era Marine veteran, 65 yrs old, heading home to Oregon (Portland area) from the Florida Gulf Coast to visit my family in August.
I will drive and deliver your vehicle to anywhere in Oregon or Washington state
I would like to drive your car from New Orleans, LA to Philadelphia, PA or New Brunswick, NJ the third week of August. Need to get there by August 22nd. I’m moving to go to graduate school so hopefully I can use your car to move some clothes/books (no furniture).
you can contact me at [email protected]