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.
I would like to drive a large vehicle leaving from Boulder, Colorado on June 13, 2018, and ultimately ending in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 20, 2018. I will be traveling with my wife, my daughter and her husband, and our 3 grandkids. There are 7 of us in total. We just want to share the sights with the kids along the way, rather than flying. We have a flight planned for the return trip.
I will pay for the gas and all expenses, and not look to charge anything to the vehicle owner. Basically, we get to use the car, and the vehicle owner gets their vehicle delivered for free.
Cheers,
Dick
Planning a late summer, early fall trip to California -San Francisco-. If anyone needs a car delivered to the west coast call me 301 616 1335. I’m a mature man, with a good driving record, and references you can trust. Located out side of Washington D.C. , I can travel to your car. willing to meet in person, if you call. Could also drive west to east. Thank you.
Hi, I need a car driven from Houston, TX to Los Angeles mid June.
I am available until May 15, 2018 to drive your car from New York to Chicago/Indiana/Ohio, or ride-share.
Hi, I am a 42 year old male with a clean drivers license,and a good safety record. No at fault accidents to date. I live in the South Florida area, and am willing to drive your car to any location needed, preferably to cities where I can access different modes of transportation. I can drive, big vans, pickup, Uhall Truck, Mini bus, School Bus, cars, Mini- Mid size RV. Pay is negotiable. It will cost you less if you have a hotel membership with free nights, and other memberships that you may be willing to share to bring the road expenses down. I am responsible, have reliable cell service to keep in contact for updates, will inspect the vehicle often and notify you if any incidents or car trouble occurs and follow your instructions to resolve any problems that may arise, wait for any repairs needed to return back on the road and continue to the delivery destination. Details can be discussed, and questions will be answered upon your request. Thank You for time and consideration.
Regards,
Erick
Need someone to drive my lexus from miami to morristown TN. 11 driving hours. Will pay for ticket mack to s florida.
Looking for someone to drive a 5-speed 03 Jeep Liberty from Florida to Alaska within the next few weeks. I will also buy you a plane ticket from Alaska to wherever you want to go in the U.S.
Please let me know.
What Part of Florida is your jeep located?
Looking for someone to drive my vehicle from Seattle to Detroit/Buffalo/Fort Lauderdale Florida (flexible on end-point) around June/July of this year. Flexible on dates as well. Let me know if interested.
Hi Gabrielle,
I’m interested. Please email me – [email protected]
[email protected]
Recent retiree will drive your car from Washington DC/Northern VA to just about anywhere.
Hello everyone –
I am a 36 year old female veteran of the road with a clean license here and in Europe. I’m looking for a car to drive from NYC/surrounding areas to Los Angeles/surrounding areas, hoping to leave the East coast May 7th and arrive on the West coast May 14th – can be somewhat flexible with the dates.
Feel free to reach out if our needs collide! xxx
Need a driver from Chicago to take van to Bonita Springs, Florida
for when ?
Hi, I’m looking for someone to drive a 2014 Honda Odyssey with a trailer attached, filled with boxes and furniture, from Boston, MA to Chapel Hill, NC, and back to Boston again (round-trip) at the beginning of August. Email me at [email protected] if interested.
My husband and I can drive a car or RV from SF Bay Area to Buffalo, NY the last two weeks in July. We both have excellent driving records and want to drive to Buffalo instead of fly a round trip.
Hello, looking to fo a trip from Houston to Toronto somewhere around end of may june or july, dates arent closed yet, 30 years old, Military professional driver, Manual and automatic, will have my 4 year d daughter in a car sit and a suite case.
Going to visit my sister and want to drive rather than fly, want to see the states.
832-830-3746
We need someone to drive a Honda CRV from Chicago, IL to Salt Lake City, UT ASAP. Is there anyone out there who is interested?
Thanks
i may be interested. i was planning on leaving oak park, illinois next week, 4/30 or 5/1. i live near aspen, colorado, so i’d like to drive to my place and then head on to salt lake. then i’d rent a car to get back. let me know if it might work for you, and we can talk more details then.
take care – moejones
Hi , I’m Yasmine , 33 YO from Algeria , I am a 2nd year surgeon resident , love travelling I have been doing that since 25 yo non stop , I have been so far around europe , asia , emirates , and us west coast and florida , this year I am planning a road trip with my brother 28YO and mom 63 YO , our plans are for the july new york — Miami or vice versa
as for my driving skills , I drive since my 18YO means 15 years hhh wow I dont get younger … I have a WV POLO in my country , my brother has a GOLF and for my east coast road trip I drove an SUV no problem , the owner was pretty happy about the clean car ..
If anyone I can help get his car that distance while he just have to pay his estimation of gasoline .. give me a mail 🙂
I am going to do some travelling across state end of 22nd July to August 8th, give or take. I would be willing to fly to any location to pick up a car and drop it off in California. I mainly want to drive through New Mexico, Arizona and Cali. I am in NY tri-state area but will fly to a location if your car is available to drive. I am 24 from England (been living in the states 2 years) and I have had my license since I was 17. Never had any tickets / fines / accident, completely clean license.
If you need a vehicle (automatic only), or a u-haul (or something like that), to be driven anywhere in the lower 48 states from Tucson, Arizona, I can help you out.
I would require a way back home to Tucson.
I need my car from Chicago to Scottsdale Arizona
Hi, My name is Steve Smith 46 clean record. My last job of several yrs. Had me on tbe road daily anywhere from 500 to 2500 miles weekly Im from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so I can handle road conditions ill be in Michigan visting family later this week to the begining of may. I live in NM. We probably could work something out if your still looking. You can send me a text if you like 505 835 9904 anytime. Or if you prefeer to email [email protected]
Responsible husband and wife teaching couple with clean driving record interested in driving any type of vehicle from western US to eastern US at the end of May 2018. We are moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania. We can drive manual!
We are looking to have our car driven from Phoenix AZ to the Maryland DC Area. This will take place around May 9th. Anyone willing to drive our car back east for us?
I need a driver to take my car from Boston to LA in early May. Toyota Prius.
I’m driving to LA from NYC May 7th and could potentially take your car from Boston. Let’s talk? x
My husband and myself, have a long waiting dream to drive cross country to see places. In last 40 years, we have flew CA more then 20 times. This August we are hoping to fulfill our dream. If you need to transport your vehicle in August 2018 and are not in hurry we will do it for you. An excellent driving record, passion to see places and flexible schedule are plus points.
Will drive your car from Sacramento/the Bay/Reno NV all the way to NY if it can fit fully loaded family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids, small dog). Trusty drivers with excellent record
Hello. I flew 3 weeks ago from California
to Texas to help my in laws with their house. My duties are done and I do not want to fly back. I want to drive and see the country. I am flexible on travel dates
I am departing Houston, Texas and my destination isLos Angeles, California
Hi, looking for someone to drive my car from Houston TX to Los Angeles, CA in mid June
I will Drive your car from NE Florida, Jax, St. Augustine, to NJ preferably Newark or west NJ on Friday April 6, 2018. Retired Federal employee, excellent driving record
Love to have you do this for me at the very end of April, are you interested?
I would like to drive from Sacramento area to Tucson AZ, leaving April 9/10 and arriving April 16/17. I’m a mature responsible woman and staying in the Murrietay/Temecula area to see real estate along the way, and visiting relatives in Tucson where I will fly back myself a week later.
Hi everyone –
I am a 30 year old female professional – perfect driving record (love to drive).
I am looking for a car to drive from Los Angeles or surrounding areas/cities to New York City (or surrounding areas).
I am hoping to go next week or as soon as possible.
Let me know if I can help anyone out!
Hayley