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 to have my Mom’s car driven from New York to Savannah in November or December.
Looking to drive your car to Colorado leaving tomorrow 10/12/2017
Anyone looking to have their car driven to Denver CO. From Jacksonville FL leaving 10/12/17….
Looking for someone to drive my 2000 Jeep Cherokee from Youngstown, Ohio to Breckenridge, Colorado area starting on 11/15/17
Hi John, Did you find someone to drive your jeep to Colorado? Email me right away if still needing.
I am looking for a reliable person to drive with me and my two cats from Seattle to Oakland California. I need to be in Oakland no latter then the 17th of October.
Thank you
Making final plans for my trip to Calif. I’m located out side Washington DC, So if anyone needs a car driven to the west coast contact me, 301 616 1335. They have decent trains on the west coast, so I could deliver your car anywhere from Seattle to San Diego. Non smoker, don’t drink, no drugs(no heart meds no blood pressure med) over 50. This will be a straight drive I will not use your car for side trips or sight seeing. Call or text for references and details. Could go as early as next week, or as late as Thanksgiving. TIME IS OF ESSENCES if no reply I’ll book a flight on the 18th.. People on the west coast call also, I could deliver your car to the east. If you got some cash I’ll drive your UHAUL too. Thankyou call or text 301 616 1335
Would like to drive a car from Denver to NY – NJ destination in early Nov…please call 609 220 5341…thank you
Looking to drive a car from Minneapolis/Twin Cities area to Phoenix-area in early October, 2017 (e.g. ~10/12 or after).
Harry M. Hoberman, Ph.D.
612-597-7953
Need to have my car driven Naperville IL to Seattle. October. What is your proposal??
My husband and I are available to drive your car (minivan preferable) from Chicago to Salt Lake City one way leaving October 19th. We need to deliver the rest of our son’s belongings that didn’t fit in his car when he moved to Salt Lake this summer. Let me know if interested.
Need a car to drive to NM before 9/15 until 9/20. Any needs out there?
Hello!!
We are a family of two adults and two kids, dreaming to drive and tour the west coast, heading north from San Fransisco area to Vancouver area, at April 2018. Clean, non smokers and trustworthy, we’d be happy to transfer your car/van safely 🙂 win win situation for all !!!
Driving from Sacramento California to east coast September 2017, will drive your vehicle. 208-800-2609
I’m looking to drive a car from San Francisco, Ca to Atlanta Ga. 9/8/17 – 9/12/17….
looking for a 4 door car to drive from orange county california to dallas texas on or near october the 16th 2017
Dropping our daughter off at a new job with her van 90 miles north of NYC and asking if anyone needs their car drove from around there to the Chicago/Milwaukee area 9/3/17 or 9/4/17? The driver is around 60 with an excellent driving record.
Looking to drive from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, using Highway 1. Leaving San Fran/Oakland area on Sept 5th 2017. Please get in touch ASAP. Safe driver, no accidents or tickets, non-smoking, 8+ year Zipcar user looking for a new way to make it down the coast. Email me at [email protected]
I am moving to Austin in the middle of September and am looking for a car to drive down there. I currently live in CT but can get your car from anywhere nearby and drive it to anywhere that is close to my final destination. Looking to leave around September 17th. Please email me if we might be able to work something out! [email protected]
Reply
Reply
Reply
Friends and family on the west coast, I’m on the east coast. I visit every spring and fall. If any one needs a car delivered to the west coast I’ll drive it for you. 50+ years old, non smoker, in good health, with respectable references, and 3 past drives. Would consider delivering to Las Vegas, Reno, Salt Lake, or Denver. call or text for more information 301 616 1335. People on the west coast that need a car driven east ,call also, I could fly out ,visit, and drive your car back. Got a uhaul ? I\’LL drive it for some cash. Time is of essence, would like to go before it snows here in the mountains. thank you
I HAVE A CAR IN VIRGINIA NEEDS TO GO TO RENO HOW MUCH CASH
Looking to drive someone’s car from NYC or nearby area to California area anytime in September.
same here, did you find something?
retired Las Vegas couple interested to drive vehicle from Las Vegas to any point in or near Florida sometime in Sept, Oct, Nov 2017, estimating 5 to 6 day drive using interstate highways.
Looking to drive a car from California (Fresno) on 14th September to North Carolina (arrival about 12th October).
If you find one I’ll pay too tag along… 8162441664
Looking to drive a car from new york to colorado or california from the 21st of augost…
same here, did u find?
Looking for driver from Denver, Colorado to Houston, Texas within the next couple of weeks August 10 thru August 25. call me 936-933-5273
Looking to drive your car/truck/RV from New York /New Jersey area to the west coast. Would like to leave 2nd week in August. I am 68 years old and drive with my wife, clean driving record. Please reply as soon as possible.
Immediate availability to drive from Colorado to central California. Ideally Denver to San Francisco leaving Wednesday the 8th, however dates can be flexible.