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 for driver to drive our car (two adults and small dog) from Boston to West Coast of Florida on or about April 1st, 2017. Please contact me.
Hello,
I live in near Boston and would be willing to drive the car. My final destination is also West Coast Sarasota. What would the arrangements be?
I’m interested in driving your car for you I’m available anytime
My wife and I are retired in our early 60s and interested in transporting a vehicle from Oregon to Los Angeles the first week of February. We have perfect driving records. Let me know if anyone needs that service.
Will drive vechical to California.Have a good driving record and a CDL from Detroit Michigan or Dayton Ohio.
Thank you. Times flexible
I am moving to California (Camarillo) in the beginning of February and would like my car to leave Parma Oh on February 7th. I will arrive in Camarillo on Febuary, so I believe that would give you enough time to have theh car there. If you are interested please contact me at [email protected]. Thank you
I can drive your truck or van from central Florida to Los Angeles in mid to late February. Should be of adequate size to tow my Toyota Camry behind. I have been a Certified Defensive Driving Instructor in the past and a retired Corporate Credit Manager on both coasts so you can be assured I am qualified and reliable. Also, my driving record is impeccable with not a single infraction or accident in the past 25 years. If I can be of service to you, please let me know by January 31st. at the latest.
Hi,
I am assuming you already took this trip? If not and you are still planning on doing so, Please reach out to me!
Alex
need someone to drive my f-150 to phoenix from Detroit in the next couple of days as I am starting college next week.
I am interested in driving your vehicle to or from Reno/Carson City, Nevada and Las Vegas, Nevada. Clean driving record, widowed, smoke but won’t do so in your vehicle if you desire. I’m flexible on dates & times. Contact me for more info if interested.
I am looking to drive a car from Florida to New York in January of 2017.
If anyone needs their car driven in, and can pay only for the gas; I have done this a few times already. I am a calm and safe driver with a clean record.
Recently retired couple looking to drive a nice vehicle from Denver, Co to San Francisco any time May 14th through May 19th 2017. We both have clean driving records, no accidents.
Free, we pay gas. I need to know by May 1st.
Thank you
I am driving to Florida the week of January 6th , 2017, from the Toronto area. Please contact Joanne.
Looking to drive a car from Gallup New Mexico to Orlando Florida January 2nd 2017 47 years old clean driving record have a class A CDL driver’s license
Driver, 53 looking to drive car from Tampa to Michigan late January. Any need here? Can email me at [email protected]
Good morning Dale, happy new year to you. I am interested in delivering your vehicle from Tampa to Michigan. I have years of over the experience and a good driving record.
60 yr old retired medical professional with all up to date medical certifications and licenses, ( as testament to my integrity and moral character). excellent driving record. Willing to drive from NYC metro area, Northern NJ, Eastern Pa. to Fla. Dates available, Jan 4 to Jan 7th inclusive….free except for gas, tolls, one night lodging. references upon request… phone 570 650 6749
Hey rick, happy new year my name is Shawn I am interested in driving opportunity.
I will be spending a week out west and am looking to drive a car from San Francisco down to San Diego either February 1st or 2nd, 2017. Will be a 1-day drive.
Responsible driver, clean license – never been in even a minor accident.
If interested please email me at [email protected]
Thanks!
I’m looking to drive from Long Island/NYC area to Sarasota/Tampa FL (can work out east coast as well) in the next few weeks.
50, responsible clean license.
email [email protected]
I am looking for an experience driver to bring my car down from the Marietta/Atlanta, Georgia area to West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale, Florida area sometime on or after January 1, 2017.
Anyone interested can text me at 954-394-3700. Thanks
Hello. I am interested in helping you. I can drive your vehicle to Florida if you still need it moved. Please reply upon receipt.
An experienced driver (50+) looking to drive a car one way from Atlanta to San Francisco (or nearby) on December 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
Please call Ron at (404)9773106
Couple available to drive form columbus ohio to tampa/saraasota florida next week december 19 or 20 2016
Could drive your car from east coast to seattle in jan. mature 50+ year old male, non smoker non drinker. call or text for references and more info 301 616 1335
I am looking for a driver to deliver a car from Odessa/Midland, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia. Dates are flexible starting from Christmas day onward. Please let me know if there is anyone interested.
Thanks!
Hey Greg happy new year to you my name is Shawn and interested in delivering your car to Atlanta.
I have a clean driving record and 59 years of ago. Professional and drove for Audi. I need to get from the Greensboro NC area to Jacksonville and then can deliver within FL for you. Let me know at [email protected]
I am driving to Fort Lauderdale to Detroit around New Years Eve or before. If anyone needs a driver please call me at 954-658-7456. I am flying to Detroit to take care of my dad for a few weeks and I would prefer to drive back due to having to take off work for a few weeks.
I live in North Chicago suburbs, Want to drive to Orlando with the Family and fly back. We can take you car down with us and drop it off. Leaving March 24th 2016
Please call or text 815-382-833 three
Mature non-smoking driver with exceptional driving record will drive your car or RV to your destination. I am in the Chicagoland/NWIndiana area, but I’m willing to fly to/from your destination if you provide a plane ticket. (I’ll even help you find the best flight deal). Flexible schedule, reliable, honest. I’ll even drive your pet(s), within reason!
Hi,
I am looking for decent driver to drive our car with our family from minneapolis to philadelphia on monday.
Please reply if you are interested, you can reach me at [email protected].
regards
shakti
I am looking to drive someone’s car from Las Vegas to the Seattle area starting around the 1st week in December, 2016. West Point graduate, retired, ex-Army, clean driving record. Have made many long distance driving trips around the country, including this trip mentioned. Traveling by myself, no pets. My cell number is (630) 440-8114.
I’m looking for someone who needs a vehicle driven from the Northwest Ohio area to the Denver, Colorado area. I was a professional truck driver for over 21 years without no accidents. So your vehicle will be well taking care of. You would have to be a person who would not mind me taking my dogs in your vehicle. He’s a 9 year old Boxer who’s very well behaved and clean. I’m looking to move as soon as possible so please let me know. You may contact me at 419 327 0429 ask for Eric. Thank you and God Bless.