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.
Family of 4 looking to drive your vehicle from Portland (or Eugene) down to anywhere in Southern California on July 6/7th.
East coast to west coast. simi retired , 50 year old man , seeks adventure in travel. Will drive your car , truck, uhaul for expense money.(gas oil ect. ) Will pay for my own food, and motel. quick delivery, no side trips or sight seeing. Call 301 616 1335 est 7 am /9 pm.
I am travelling to San Franciso on 17th September 2016 and wish to drive from here to Las Vegas and will arrive on 21st Septemeber 2016. Looking for any vehicle, convertible if possible. From Ireland with full clean licence. Contact me regarding options on [email protected]
I would like to drive a car from Seattle WA to Salt Lake City around the second week of June.
My partner and two grandchildren will be with me. I have a perfect driving record.
Did you leave already?
Looking for someone who is driving or has a car to be driven from Kansas to Indiana around last 2 weeks of July 2016. Please email me at [email protected] thanks
I am looking for someone to drive my son’s car from fort benning ga to fort worth as soon as possible. Contact me at [email protected]
Looking to drive a small truck or van one way from Atlanta, GA to Tempe, AZ area before or about June 1, 2016. I have a small amount of things I will need to transport with me as I am relocating to the Tempe area. No furniture items…I have a clean driving record and would be willing to provide any references needed. Thanks.
Read the author’s proviso: “… 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.”
You need to go to another web site in order to arrange for the transfer of vehicles. This is a travel blog only.
I am looking to drive a car from New England to Utah around July 15-20 2016, dates are somewhat flexible. My final destination is SLC, but would be willing to drop the car off anywhere close/along the way and renting one from there to SLC. Let me know if you need anymore information! Thank you!!
Hi Brady,
I’m looking to get my car to Aspen, CO during those dates. Do you have an email or phone number? TY! Kat
Hi!
I am looking to drive a car from North Carolina/Virginia area and to end up in Washington State in July of 2016! Thank you!
[email protected]
Going to California / santa cruz. eureka, mt Shasta. Willing to drive your car, truck, or uhaul for gas money, + pickup expenses. Will not use your car for side trips or my stay in calif, quick delieverly . 50 year old mature man , non smoker, non drinker,no drugs. Located out side of Washington dc. will travel to your car. Would also consider co driving with owner, and to other cities close, las vegas , reno, L.A. Call est 7am to 8pm 301 616 1335. Offer good all summer.
I will be going from Oklahoma City to Florida mid June.
I am looking to drive a vehicle from DALLAS, TX to Portland, OR on June 28th. I have a perfect driving record with no accidents with vehicle insurance that covers me when I am driving vehicles other than my own. You can contact me at [email protected]
Hello I need Car To Drive from New York to North Carolina in Juli i’am 49 year old I live in Germany
Helen.clark.need.go.nylon.get.out.florida.6cat.
When are you looking to leave,I sm trying to leave on June 4 I have my granddaughter with me also
Am looking for car to drive from New York To North Carolina
I am looking to drive a vehicle from San Jose, California to Atlanta, Georgia anytime this summer after July 1st. I am retired and have a perfect driving record with no accidents with vehicle insurance that covers me when I am driving vehicles other than my own. You can contact me at [email protected].
Hello, I’m looking to drive a car from southern California (I live in San Diego) to Washington DC or anywhere nearby. I have a perfect driving record and have never had any accidents. I’ll be moving to DC at the end of July so I’ll have some boxes with me but that’ll be it. Please let me know if you’re interested and we can discuss further. Thank you!
Lawrence
Hi Lawrence – I am looking for a car to drive from Dallas Tx to Washington DC area 3rd wk of July. Wondering if you need a driver on rotation after your long haul from San Diego half way. I will have some luggage that will fit in the back seat. Let me know.
Thanks. RR.
Looking for a car to drive from Atlanta to Houston (or New Orlenes) in mid-July.
My boyfriend 23 and I a preschool teacher and we need a vehicle on July 28 because we are moving back to Florida. So let me now if you need your car to be driven from Seattle WA to Florida. We both have clean and safe driving records as well. Let me know if you can help. You can email me at [email protected]
I am fulfilling a bucket list item and visiting the Pacific NW. Anyone want a car returned from Portland/Seattle are to western Carolinas around Sept. 5th?
I can drive your car from Reno,NV totucson,az. Ready to go on the 22nd of
may?
Looking to drive a car from TN/GA/SC/NC to Southern CA. One way trip. Please contact [email protected].
We are a tidy family of 5 looking for a suv, minivan, small RV to drive on 7/1 from Orange County, CA to Chapel Hill, NC (by 7/8) -OR- to Boston MA (by 7/15). Drivers will be my husband and I (ages 41 and 46) with a clean driving records. We are both professionals looking to take 1-way cross country trip with our family. Our kids are ages 14,11 & 5.
Please email us if you need your car transported. We will pay gas and deliver your car in great shape.
Thank You!
We are hoping to transport a vehicle from Seattle area or even Idaho/ Montana up to Anchorage about last week of June 2016. We are 65 and 72, retired, and with good driving records. We have have family in Alaska we hope to visit. Home base is Wyoming so we can be flexible on pick up. email [email protected]
A CDL DRIVER AVAILABLE GOING TO CALIFORNIA JULY 30 FROM SOUTH BEND IN ANY ONE NEEDS ONE CALL 5743279336
I would like to find a car to drive from NC to Las Vegas the next to the last weekend in June. Please let me know if I can help. I am a 911 operator wanting to go to a family function. I have a clean driving record and I do not smoke.