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.
Leaving early to mid March 2017 from Lewisville, Texas (Dallas/ Fort Worth area) going to Ashland, Oregon. Will drive your car.
Mature, resposible excellent driving record, non smoker, experienced at long distance driving. Will drive your car from North Dallas, Texas area to Medford, Oregon area. Would like to leave in early to mid March 2017. Email me at [email protected] if interested.
I will be leaving California in the beginning of May 2017 and am hoping to match up with someone who needs their car driven. I am going as far as Connecticut, but am willing to drive your car elsewhere (in that general direction.)
In the beginning of August I will be traveling from CT to Seattle, as well as from Seattle back to CT in mid-late August. If anyone has a need for their car to be driven in either direction during that time, I would be more than happy to help you out!
Mature, respectful, flexible, non-smoker with many experiences driving long distance. Email for more info [email protected]
Hello,
I am a mature safe experienced driver looking to drive your vehicle from Colorado Arizona or New Mexico area to the mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Philly area) the latter half of June 2017. Phone 301-731-6622 for references or to discuss. Or, if you prefer, you may email me at roger[at]cognizor.com. Thank you.
I would love to drive from anywhere on the east coast cross country, valid license, no accidents, open availability – contact [email protected]
Hey I am looking for someone to take drive me to phoenix , Arizona next week for a day or 2 from littleton Colorado
Drive your car from CA to NY for free
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I planed back to home in Buffalo starting from Feb.18. I can drive your car in free of charge if you have a car want ship from CA to NY.
Please contact me through email : [email protected] for details.
Best Regards,
Robert
I will drive your car from Phoenix, AZ to Florida. You pay for the gas and $50.00 a day.
Free to travel ,now until May 1. Spending my winter skiing at Deep Creek Lake Md. and helping at a stable. Prefer a cross county drive, (friends and family in calif. ) but will go any where, at cost. Good references, three past drives. I’m honest , dependable and in good health, a non smoker. If you need a car delivered -call or text- 301 616 1335
I’m in Colorado Springs, Co (could pick up in Denver and Pueblo etc…) and am looking to drive your car to San Diego area. Mature driver, very clean, non smoker, no pets. I’m flexible but would prefer to leave within the next week or so.
i need a driver to drive me from indianapolis indiana to ludowici georgia and i will put gas in yor car or give you $200 and more
I am a driver avalible to drive from dallas if compensation is good enough ! Thanks
Hi there,
Looking to drive a SUV or larger vehicle (van, truck, etc.) from San Diego to Florida (West Palm) or anywhere in FLA at the beginning of March. My boyfriend’s Dad has been in the car business for 33 years. My boyfriend who is 33 has been trusted to do countless cross-country drives for many clients including Charles Woodson & James Hall. He has driven all sorts of vehicles including large vans & used to travel the country for work in a F250 hauling a large work trailer so he is a very careful driver. To get in contact just contact me at [email protected] & we can discuss further. Cheers & Thanks!
Could also pick up in the LA area
I am seeking a driver from Wheaton,MD. to Louisville,CO. in a 2002 KIA.I will pay for gas for a reliable insured responsible driver.For a job well done I will make it worth your time and effort.
I’ll drive your car for cost, and a train ticket back to Cumberland Md, call 301 616 1335 for references and private information.
Hi Dennis, I’m actually headed to Denver at the end of February. I’m currently living in Fairfax Virginia. I’d be willing to meet or discuss more details on the phone.
I’ll do it for gas cost. I can provide full insurance and details needed to show you that I’m reliable driver. My number is 213.268.5232
Hello I am from Sweden, I am visiting Los Angeles and thought about traveling somewhere else now. If you want to move your car from Los Angeles to anywhere in the country I am happy to do that for you. E mail me in [email protected] and we can discuss further.
Hello I am looking to drive a car from loveland Colorado to arizona or farther. Ideally around May 7. If anyone is interested please email me [email protected].
Hello,
I am looking to drive a vehicle from the Erie PA, Ohio, NY tri-state region to really anywhere in northern FL area sometime in Feb or March 2017 ( would be willing to do a backhaul back to similar region). It would be my husband and I, Both with clean driving records, fantastic insurance that works for any vehicle we are in. My sister is having her baby! We would love to drive your vehicle! [email protected] Message me if you are interested!!
I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE SOMEONES CAR FROM TUSCON TO LOS ANGLES. LEAVING TUSC ON ON 2-10, AND BE IN LA ON 2-16… ANY TAKERS??
I am searching for a driver to pick up my daughter’s studio apartment size belongings in California 30210 and deliver them to Atlanta 30269. hoping someone also needs a partial truck load and needs to share expenses. A pod was used to move her things to CA, but since a break up with her boyfriend, ugh good riddance, that option is looking to pricey. Her things are mostly boxes with a few small tables and lamps.
Parma Oh, to Camarillo Ca on February 7th
I need someone to drive my 2008 Ford Escape from Parma to Camarillo CA. Please contact me.
Hi Amy,
Have you found someone to drive your Ford Escape yet? If not, I’m looking to travel from the east coast to Los Angeles. I think we might be a fit. Here’s my number 213.268.5232
My name is Ray I’m 47 yrs old, married and a father of 3 kids. Looking to drive a vehicle from St. Louis Missouri area to Central (Syracuse) NY . The Time is this weekend (Jan. 28th). I will be in NY by Jan. 29th. If anyone is interested please contact me by phone (315) 254-5048. I am a professional driver – I have driven Greyhound size buses, 26′ RV and other various vehicles. I have a clean license and no criminal history. Just looking for an inexpensive way to travel back home.
Excellent mature driver available to drive from the New England area to New Mexico/Colorado. Within the next month Feel free to contact me.
Need driver to move my empty 2015 car from Scottsdale AZ to Seattle anytime now through February 12. Will split gas. Anybody going that way? email me at [email protected]
I am offering to drive someone’s care from Toronto to Kansas City, Columbia, or St. Louis at the end of June 2017. I would have my 4 year old daughter with me. I have a clean driving record and full insurance coverage, and I am 33 years old.