Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free

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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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2,255 thoughts on “Driveaway Cars – Like Driving Someone Else’s Automobile for Free”

  1. Will drive your car to Pensacola, Destin, Mobile, Biloxi, and surrounding areas leaving from Knoxville, TN., Atlanta,Chattanooga, Nashville.
    Will negotiate pricing.

    Reply

    • BRIAN, Yes , very interested, call my number 301 616 1335. Could go now, but have commitments in NewYork sept 11 2016. either before or after. Santa Barbara is within 200 miles Santa Cruz ,[friends & family] . like to go 1st of oct. 301 616 1335

      Reply

  4. Free to travel now until end of month. I\’m not seeking a vacation but offering to deliver your car to it\’s destination. No side trips, or family visits . Location will determine cost, but if you can bear the expense of getting me to your car , gas money, and return air fare(cheapo air = flights under $300) the car you need , could be in your driveway in 5 days.Sounds like a lot don\’t it! Not only will I give you my time to travel but will also buy my own food and lodging. Call or text 301 616 1335

    Reply

  6. hello,

    I’m an Australian traveling with my girlfriend looking to drive a car from Austin, TX to New Orleans, LA around the 23rd of august.

    please contact me with any information at [email protected].

    Thanks in advance.

    Jackson.

    Reply

  7. 50 year old driver with good record driving son to college from Los Angeles to Boston on August 21st… will hit Boston by the 29th… Let me know if you have a car that needs to be driven there.
    Best, Robert ([email protected])

    Reply

  8. Would like to drive a car to Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale area preferred not necessary) the end of October beginning of November from the Northeast area. Need to be in Florida November 3rd

    Reply

  9. HI there

    willing to drive someones car from East Coast to West Coast , around September maybe end of Aug or beginning of November if need be.
    Would like to do some stops along the way to catch a rest, possible tourist destinations, Grand Canyon , Yosemite, Yellowstone. Depending on destination.

    I am 29 years old, never been in an accident. and own a mustang myself 🙂 so i will take care of yours just like i take care of mine.
    you can contact me on [email protected]

    Reply

  10. To whom it may concern,

    Just graduated architecture school and wanting to drive cross country. Looking to drive a car from around Los Angeles to somewhere on the east coast or vice versa. The idea is to drive cross country one way and fly the other way. Please feel free to contact me via email or by text (310.775.5935). Thanks!

    Reply

    • Jenee Woods,, I can help you get your car from DC to Las Vegas. I’m a mature 58 year old man, clean driving records, good references, and the love for adventure. I live near Deep creek lake resort in Maryland, so I’m close to DC. Gas money, and plane fair back to DC is What it would cost you ,I’ll buy my own food and lodging. CALL 301 616 1335

      Reply

  12. A Mature older Gentleman with excellent driving record (20 plus years – NO ticket) will drive your vehicle from Washington DC / Northern Virginia to the Dallas Fort Worth Metro area. Your vehicle will be driven to the destination in less than 40 hours.
    I am ready to leave at 2 days notice, and ready now.
    Will prefer a late model vehicle (have just 1 suit case), if owner accompanied no problem will accommodate.
    You can rest assured that your vehicle will be driven with care like you would.
    If interested contact me at: [email protected]

    Reply

  14. Will drive your car from Nashville area to Los Angeles or up to Santa Barbara area between Oct 1st and Oct 11th. Good driver self insured.

    Reply

    • Hi Jessica! My husband, 3 month old daughter, and I will be flying up to Seattle next week and planning to drive down to Santa Barbara making stops along the way. We are renting a car, but can change plans and definitely take your car to LA if you still need to. Please contact me.

      Reply

  17. Would like to drive your vehicle or motor home from central california to central U.S. anywhere from denver to where ever you need it. Great driving record with one moving violation of 5 to 10 miles over speed limit caught in a speed trap 15 years ago. Contact me. 559-994-7531

    Reply

  23. Looking to travel from Reno,Nv. to St.Louis, Mo. this week or next. Dependable safe driver.65 year old female moving back to the midwest.

    Reply

  24. Looking for a drive away from Reno, Nv.. to St.Louis, Mo.Would like to leave this week July25 or next, first of Aug.

    Reply

  25. Experienced driver wishes to drive your car from Boston to Fort Lauderdale or Miami any day during the month of August 2016

    Reply

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