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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Driveaway Cars - Like Driving Someone Else\'s Automobile for Free

2,253 thoughts on “Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free”

  1. I’m a 64 yr. old retired heavy equipment operator ( Operating Engineer ). I am looking for anyone who wants their car driven to Florida from NYC, New York. Clean driving record, and no accidents. Car and truck mechanic history as well. My email address is: [email protected]

    Reply
  2. I’m a dependable person who will drive your car or truck from anywhere to anywhere (I really need the work). I ride for the brand and do the best for those I work for. I have skills in other areas as well and could be of help. Trust is earned and not given, so I will not ask you to do it, but I will show you that you can! I can be reached at [email protected].

    Reply
    • Have a truck in central oregon that I need in lone tree, co. asap.
      1) Please send me a picture of you.
      2) Let me know what your rate would be for this trip?
      3) If your even available during this time frame?
      Thanks
      David wright

      Reply
  3. My husband and I are wanting to head to southern California from Portland Oregon to be with family around Christmas time. Love to help you get your car out there if needed! We’re hoping to drive out and fly back. Clean driving records, no drugs or alcohol. Shoot me an email!

    – Faith

    Reply
  4. I just moved to Portland Oregon but I have to go back to Milwaukee Wisconsin to take care of some stuff I am thinking of possibly driving back but don’t know if my car will make it so if there’s anybody that needs a car driven in from Milwaukee Wisconsin to Portland or Seattle let me know.. Just checking my options… Thanks

    Reply
  5. Hello,

    Me and my boyfriend are moving from Boston, Ma to West Palm beach Florida we are leaving next week if anyone needs their vehicle in the sunshine state.

    Reply
  6. Me and my friend Jessica (31 and 27 years old) are looking for a car to drive San Francisco – Los Angeles or the other way around some time around the 16TH of January and the 28TH of February 2016.

    Cheers,

    Reply
  7. Interest in driving a car from New Jersey (or Fort Laurderdale) to California beginning around Feb. 1, 2016. Retired clergyman with perfect driving record.

    Reply
  8. I am a 23 year old man from the UK, due to travel from New York to Los Angeles between the first week of November and 15th December.

    If I can be of help by driving your car across the country then please get in touch!

    Reply
    • I’d like to speak to you about possibly driving my car ( mini cooper, standard transmission) to Los Angeles the first week of November.
      Please call me at 518 424 5069

      Do you have a website or something I could check to learn more about you?

      Reply
    • Seeking driver to take reliable Prius from Wash. DC area to Los Angeles or San Diego. You may pick up car as early as December 1, 2015 and must deliver it to San Diego or possibly LA airport around noon on December 16, 2015. References and clean driving record required. Free use of low cost Prius for at least two weeks (possibly a bit longer) so long as no more than 3,500 miles are put on car (trip is about 2,500). Details negotiable.

      Reply
      • 57 years old, simi retired, friends in California that would like to see me. Could drive your car to L.A. in December. References on request.

        Reply
  9. San Diegoe or Los Angeles to Orlando FL. I can drive your car to beginning of November for the cost of the gas only. I’m starting a business there. I have a clear driving record and want to keep it that way, very responsible, mature, reliable and will look after your car as if it were my own. I am fully insured too. Call or text me 619.729.2020.

    Reply
  10. Are you in need of getting a vehicle from Arizona to North Dakota (preferably the Fargo area). Would be available to do so the 1st week of June 2016. have references

    Reply
  11. My son (31 yrs old) and I are wanting to drive a larger vehicle from Detroit to San Francisco starting out from Detroit approx Dec. 26th, taking about 5-6 days to get to the west coast. Does anyone need such transport of their vehicle?

    Reply
  12. I am wanting to return to edmonton in the next week with my small puppy from the villages in Florida. Looking to drive back. Anyone need me to return your vehicle to Alberta?

    Reply
  13. Going to California next month, san francisco, santa cruz, eureka. and all points in between. Planning to fly (cheapoair $250). But could drive you car, truck, uhaul. What it would cost you? Gas money, and 2 night motel . I’ll buy food and 2 nights motel. Want to be in Calif. Oct.12 thru 18, but fexible. Contact me by phone 301 616 1335 or email [email protected] Also willing to co-drive if your making the trip. Locate out side of Washington D.C. Offer off after I make fight reservations. West coast people same offer going east. Over 50 don’t drink smoke or do drugs.

    Reply
  14. I am a 70 yr. old lady former co. owner, now retired and would love to go traveling. I can drive a car to any part of the country.
    Just let me know when and where.

    Reply
    • Hi Jan,
      I’d like to go from Nashville, TN to South Carolina on 3rd week of October 2015.
      Please email if you can travel. Thanks!
      -RW

      Reply
      • Hi! Jan

        Would you be interested in ride / drive share my car to FortMyers , Fl. I am also a retired sernior lady. Dates are open, etc.
        Please send e-mail if this is any interest to You .
        Thanks!
        EF

        Reply
  15. mature adult clean driving record non smoker no alcohol, drugs looking to drive your car from New York, Long Island area to Phoenix area Sept, Oct. 2015 631 379 2183

    Reply
  16. I can drive your car to Seattle or Portland after October 11 for the cost of the gas only. I don’t drink or do drugs, have a clear driving record, am responsible, mature, reliable and can offer personal references. Call or text me at (707)338-0055.

    Reply
  17. Free to travel..sept 10 thru sept 20 , any where in USA , would need money for expenses. Over 50 don’t drink, smoke , or do drugs. contact me [email protected] or call 7 am /9pm est. 301 616 1335. time is of the essence.

    Reply
  18. 58 YEAR OLD MAN RETIRED AND LOOKING TO DRIVE CROSS COUNTRY FROM SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA SOMETIME IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY. I’M FLEXIBLE WITH WHERE THE FINAL DESTINATION COULD BE.
    E- MAIL ME AND I CAN GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MYSELF.

    Reply
  19. Late 50;s – Willing to drive an excellent, even sporty, vehicle to Los Angeles area from Victoria/Vancouver British Columbia approx October 15. Non drinker, non smoker, experienced driver and traveller. Heading to LA for my daughters wedding, love to drive and the drive will be an enjoyable way to arrive happy.

    Please let me know.

    Reply
  20. Retired Educator with flawless Driving Record. Looking to drive your relatively new vehicle to anywhere in Arizona with preference to Tucson. Give a “Shout” if this is something you are looking for. Need $$ for gas and related expenses.

    Reply
    • Please contact Ruthie Sargent at 617-775-2392 (text/talk) for your Boston to Tucson shuttle of your very dependable vehicle as described in Comment below

      Reply

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