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.
Looking to drive a car one way from portland or eugene oregon to phoenix Arizona
Could do tuscon as well ready to go xmas eve or day or over that weekend responsable international traveller with license clean record id ect
For interested parties please feel free to contact me at 2133528438
Brian Wilson
I am a teacher looking to drive someone’s car from Florida to California between December 20 and and January 4th ,2015/16 I have a clean, long driving record.I am getting a slightly used car from a family member in California which is why I would like to drive your car the one way. Please call.941 893 8048
leave from new orleans la will drive car or truck to memphis tn 12/23 or 12/24
If anyone would like their vehicle driven from NY as far as Jacksonville Florida over the Christmas break next week, contact me on aol. At [email protected]
Hi im a truck driver, im looking and willing to drive from florida to las vegas, nevada, if anyone is looking for someone to drive their car to las vegas call me at 5616446141
Just bought a house in Cape Coral, Fl and need to get there. Would like to drive your car there (will be flying back) leaving December 26, 2015 and arriving there on the 28th. Leaving from Springfield, Massachusetts area. Husband and wife 50 and 46 yr old. Clean driving record. Non smokers. Very reliable! Please email if interested [email protected]
Love the post! So informative! I am planning a trip for 2016.
In my opinion, the biggest money waster when it comes to rental cars is the insurance. Don’t get it! It’s gonna be just as much as your car rental price. To save money, buy it from somewhere outside.
56 year old professional with excellent credit and driving record willing to drive luxury vehicle from Philadelphia to Florida from 12/26-1/2…call 267-246-2700
Husband and I (both in 50’s) and adult son, plus small dog, looking to drive your vehicle across the country from Virginia or DC Area to San Francisco. Desire to leave Dec. 13. Responsible, clean driving records. Taking dog to daughter in San Fran. (Dog can’t fly) Plan to arrive in San Fran by Dec. 23.
Retired , 61 years old, excellent driving record. Looking to drive your vehicle from ny/nj area to Colorado in mid January. Dates flexible and will pay own expenses . Call 732-599-4801
Thanks
I am a 23 year old male who is wanting to drive a vehicle from St louis MO to Seattle WA or an adjacent city near both. I have a clean record and am willing to skype, facebook, or any other form of communication that will make meeting easier for both parties. My email is [email protected]
Looking for someone to drive my son’s college car, Subaru Outback from Minneapolis to Seattle, WA leaving sometime the week of Dec. 12 – 18 and arriving in Seattle sometime within a couple weeks. Anyone heading that way?
Sorry contact me at 206 396 5948
Thanks for this subcription. I look to hear from you more.
Thanks!!!!
Hello, I need to be in San Diego for December 18, 2015. Would be willing to drive from Austin, San Antonio or Dallas.
56 year old Businessman with clean driving record is interested in driving a car south to the west coast of Florida. I need to stop in Charlotte NC for 2 days (Dec 10/11) and then continue on to the Naples and surrounding area. Flying back to NY on or around December 17th from Ft. Myers. (The extra 10 hours from NC would be a small price to pay to visit my parents and brothers for 4 or 5 days). I can drive any kind of vehicle and have a NY class DM license. I’m extremely careful and not a lead foot. Your vehicle will arrive clean and in the same shape I received it except about a 1,000 miles more on the odometer. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!!
Hi,
I’m looking for a vehicle to drive from the Southeastern Michigan area to San Diego or Long Beach, California area preferably the 1st week in January or later this winter. I’m in good health with a pristine driving record. 734-756-4944
Will drive your car or truck from Oregon to Arizona ASAP. I’d rent a car, but thought driving yours might be a fun adventure. I’m female, 67 yrs, clean driving record, have a home in Lake Havasu City, Az, and want to be there soon. Contact me at [email protected].
Looking to drive from New York/New Jersey to Central Florida
Almost anytime in December 2015
60 years old….perfect driving record…
Quick return…leave NY/NJ drive 10 hours…sleep…drive 7 hours…return car
Looking to drive from New York/New Jersey to Central Florida
Almost anytime in December 2016
60 years old….perfect driving record…
Quick return…leave NY/NJ drive 10 hours…sleep…drive 7 hours…return car
Oopsie, from San Diego, CA. I have a clean driving record and am very reliable.
Looking to drive to Ft. Lauderdale, FL or Naples. I can leave 19 Dec…
We are looking for someone to drive infinity from king of Prussia to Fort Lauderdale.
Please reply to 610-909-0506
Eriko
Hi
I am driving to South Florida around the 12th Dec taking my Daughter to a tennis tournament! Great driver and very reliable and careful. If interested please contact me on 610-246-2324
looking to drive from San Diego to Florida. retired-clean license
58 year old Class A CDL driver looking for a car to deliver to Phoenix AZ from Tulsa, KC, Joplin, Wichita or OKC. Hope to depart Thanksgiving Day. References Available upon Request. Please click “Reply” if you have a vehicle heading to Phoenix. Thank you.
Does anyone need their car driven from the SF Bay Area to the Seattle area the week of Feb. 15th, 2016? I am a 34 year old responsible driver with a clean driving record. Thanks.
Hello! I am a current Grad Student from the greater Cleveland, OH area looking to explore the great countryside once I graduate this upcoming May 2016. My car is too unreliable to drive long distances, but if someone would like me to transport theirs, I would be happy to arrange something so we both win. Ideally, I would like to head west. I am planning to dedicate 2-3 weeks to my adventure, but am flexible with dates/times. You can e-mail me at [email protected] if you are interested. Hope to hear from you!