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.
Anyone need a car driven from in or around Ferrum, VA the third week of August to Austin, Texas? Husband-and-wife (fifties) taking daughter back to college in her vehicle and trying to avoid flying home.
Looking to drive a car from Massachusetts to the San Francisco Bay Area starting June 1, 2018. Very responsible family of four.
Looking for a car or truck to take from PDX area to So. Cal around August 19. Moving daughter down to college. Clean record, non-smokers.
I’m looking for someone to drive my Subaru Forester from Oakland to Chicago as soon as possible (but of course allowing for you to take some time on the way to see the sights). Thanks.
I can do it for you! I’m here now and heading that way asap. Clean record, non smoker! 8162441664
I need a car driven from Wexford PA( Close to Pittsburg, PA) to Charlotte NC.
how soon and what is the payment for the car drop Eddie 4043195316 cell number
I will drive your car from Tampa area to Chicago, last week of August. Let me know. Non smoker, responsible, “I am a very good driver”. Thanks!
Hi
Looking to drive your car/truck from Utah to New England/Boston area. Out visiting our son for his 30th and looking for an adventure to get home.
Thanks
Will drive your car from California to Colorado. 50 year old, male, very experienced, clean and dependable driver.
Looking for someone to drive 2000 Toyota Camry from Phoenix AZ to Ohio, Dayton, Cincinnati Oh, Call Eric 937-344-1543
I would like to travel from Atlanta to Seattle, leave 8 August arrive 225 august, stopping to see grandkids along the way.
Relocating from Henderson Nevada to Chicago. Will be leaving Henderson the week of September 12th. Willing to drive your vehicle from Henderson to Chicago with some sight seeing in between. Could be a a win-win for us both! Lets Talk!
Need my car drove from evansville Indiana to Rockwall or Dallas Texas any time after 7 20 2017
Do you need a car driven from Southern California to Portland Oregon in July(after the 20th)?
Single, non smoker, very reliable and responsible.
Hi I would drive your vehicle as my own. Iam Very dependable, clean .I’m in Perrysburg, ohio area need to get to arizona. Thank you
Hi Kay,
I need my wife minivan driven from Canfield, OH (close to Pittsburg) to Deming, NM (close to Tucson). Does that work for you. 2005 Honda Ody Touring
thanks
George
Looking for someone to transport my car from Boston to Minneapolis end of August- with an arrival in Minneapolis in early September. Please message me if interested!!
Hey,we (me and my wife)are from new york and we wont to drive to colorado,we dont mind to go to boston to take the car and drop it of in minneapolice
We want to leave on the 21st of augost,let me now if it is ok to drop the car on the 26 of augost in minneapolice..
Hello, I’m 54 and will be going from SF bay area to Missouri. If you would like your car or truck driven east, let me know. Responsible and insured. Departure day is flexible but soon.
If you want to split the ride I will pay to join you!
anyone willing to drive from morris county nj area to new orleans around 3rd week of august
Hi John, I’m looking for a car to drive from CT to Austin TX when I move there. I’m not leaving until about September 17th, but if you still need your car driven at that time, hopefully we can work something out! You can email me [email protected]
I can drive your pickup truck from Detroit area to Sacramento or San Francisco for free if I can use it to tow a 2700 boat. Ill be insured and have live tracking. I’m retired. Clean driving record.
I can drive your pickup truck from Detroit area to Sacramento or San Francisco for free if I can use it to tow a 2700 boat. Ill be insured and have live tracking. I’m retired.
Anyone need a car driven from minnesota to new. EnglandJuly14- 17. Responsible, excellent driver, clean
I will drive your vehicle to Colorado from Indiana this fall made the trip many times very clean and dependable clean driving record. 52 yrs old
Will drive your vehicle to Colorado from Indiana this fall have made the trip many times
Anyone need a vehicle driven from Vancouver to Calgary August 18th?
Hi! I’m looking for someone to drive my car from the Nashville area to somewhere near Seattle/Portland at the end of July/first week of August.
Thanks!
Hey Teresa,
I’m looking to get from Nashville to the West Coast by no later than August 10th. Can leave as early as this Saturday (July 29th). No need for a bunch of sightseeing, a straight shot is fine with me.
I’m a safe driver, no accidents, no tickets. Can go to either Seattle or Portland as long as I know which in advance so I can book flight (my final destination is San Francisco).
Comfortable with any vehicle as long as it’s an automatic.
Let me know.
Available for phone, facetime, skype.
Best,
Jessica
707.738.0979
Anyone need a vehicle transported from Idaho to Texas in July CDL professional driver with references and background check. I have made the trip a lot.