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 a driver to take my Toyota RAV4 to upstate Ny must arrive by October 17th . References and clean license a must. Email if interested
I am a former US Air Force policeman who has driven all over the US & Canada in a 30 year plus road sales career. I am based in Fort Lauderdale and I am transitioning from a full-time sales job to a “semi-retired” life on the road. I have a great driving record, a valid passport and I have driven vehicles up to 26 feet in length and 12 feet tall as part of my work career. I learned how to drive in NY City & Upstate NY so I have no issues with winter driving, multiple cross country drives over the Rockies, Experience driving through Canada as well as some basic survival French and a fair bit of Spanish. I also have a clean background check and years of travel planning skills that find the most cost efficient ways to get to or from a driving gig as well as EZ Pass, Sun Pass, Mile ID to track all costs and multiple routing programs.I also work with a Master Auto Mechanic so if you wish I can have your vehicle prepared and checked prior to a trip or checked over upon return. I currently commute between South Florida and Baltimore, MD several times a month. Please contact me about transporting your vehicles to and from South Florida!
hi Jeff, I may have a SLK to be puled to Rochester NY.
Jeff,
We are buying a car in Miami in a few days. We live in Jensen Beach FL and are looking for someone to drive the car up to NH where we want to leave it for the winter. Are you available either just before or after Thanksgiving?
Jeff would you be able to drive our 2014 Subaru Forester from San Diego to Nashville sometime soon? We would be interested in your servicing the car also. We would be willing to take care of your air fare from Florida to San Diego and from Nashville to Florida. If so, what would you charge? Thank you!
Need a driver from Dallas. Tx area to Birmingham. Alabama October 12 and return October 13.
Looking for a safe and trustworthy driver to drive a couple to B’ham, Alabama October 13 and return October 14. Accommodations will be provided.
What would be the cost for this trip ?
I can drive someone’s car to Jacksonville, FL during the week of October 8-14, 2018. It can move the car within a day. I have a clean driving record, no accidents or tickets. I have a few references if needed.
Am looking to drive your vehicle from Nashville Tn. to Orlando
Fl. anytime during the Month of October 2018. We are both professional drivers.
My wife and I can drive your car from Austin Tx. Area to Washington D.C. area in early October. Retired State Trooper and both have perfect driving records. Flexible on dates, but would be direct trip without delays.
I need a small pickup driven from Tacoma WA to Lake Havasu City AZ (or close-by). I am sending it to someone who needs a vehicle.
My wife and I are available to drive a vehicle from central Florida to the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana area in the later part of October. We’re both in our 60s, and have excellent driving records.
Mark
I will drive your empty van to Jacksonville Florida or close by, for gas money only. I need to move some items. I am a very safe, responsible driver with clean record living in Pittsburgh. Contact me at [email protected]
Attention PHOENIX , TUCSON (and other AZ locations). I am available to drive your vehicle anywhere in the U.S. I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. Excellent driving history. Small business owner. Previous law enforcement experience.
Hi Bill I’m looking for someone to drive my Rav4 to upstate Ny from Phoenix ASAP please contact me to discuss
I am looking for someone to drive two cars from Oklahoma City to Scottsdale on November 30th.
Let me know if interested.
Thanks
Hi I am trying to move back to Minnesota from Phoenix. I have RV and Lexus Sc430 and maybe I will need to rent a uhaul.do you have experience driving RV?
Hello – I am looking to drive someone’s car from New York (anywhere in the state or city) to California (preferably Southern CA but I am flexible with destination). I need to be in California around November 8, 2018…but also some flexibility on exact date.
I am 46 years old, a professional, and am going to California for work. I am comfortable and experienced with any size vehicle and can drive standard.
[email protected]
Hi I am available to drive a car from San Francisco or bay area to Vancouver next week
I am a mature and safe driver with many years experience as a driver
I am flying out of Vancouver airport to return to Australia
I can leave Sept 25th/26th from San Francisco to Minneapolis/St.Paul from San Francisco to deliver sedans or vans.
Experienced mature driver available to head north . RV, auto, truck. Safe, secure, references.
Elderly gentleman on SocSec w/good driving record would like to travel North from Orlando FL / Sanford FL areas of Central FL preferrably late Sept’. to late October. Can drop car off in Western PA, Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia or Western MD areas….or perhaps other neighboring areas considered.
available to move your vehicle from the Philly area to Montana or North Dakota this weekend 24-25, August, 2018
Planning a late summer, early fall trip to California -San Francisco-. If anyone needs a car delivered to the west coast call or text 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. Note, west coast has excellent public transportation, can deliver your car anywhere from San Diego to Seattle. Will drive uhaul for cash,( expense money). Flexible with dates
Retired couple willing to drive your vehicle from Minnesota to Phoenix end of October.
Hi wondering if you might be looking to drive back to MN in spring. I’m trying to move back and right now have RV and 2 cars, trying to sell one and will probably have to rent uhaul
I can drive your vehicle to MN anytime you’d like. I can fly cheaply to your pickup location, and fly out of MN back to my home, or next job. Let me know if I can be of help.
Will Gahagan
307-690-7123
Recently retired Swedish diplomat ready to drive your car from San Diego ( or Los Angeles ) to Seattle mid-September.
Available to drive your vehicle from the Philadelphia area to Phoenix, AZ in early January 2019. Experienced cross-country driver with clean driving record.
Helping my son out ~ He and his girlfriend and lab are looking to drive your car from Tucson/Phoenix area to TN or vicinity. Leaving end of August. Can be somewhat flexible.
Hello, I’m a college student looking to have my car – a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid – driven from Northern California to the Cleveland, OH area in mid-August (with the car ideally reaching Ohio around August 20). Please contact me if you’re interested!
Hi Kira,
I can take your car, but likely not until late September. Will that timeframe work? If so, please shoot me an email at [email protected].
Thanks!
Aaron
Hi Kira – A friend and I will be driving from San Francisco next week and may be able to drop your car off in Cleveland. Is it still available?
Responsible couple happy to drive you car from Northern California to Tri State/ NYC mid August. Very safe drivers.
Here are our instagrams
@caty8s
@slings_n_areows
Hello! I’m a college student looking to have my car – a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid – driven from Sebastopol, CA to Oberlin, OH in mid-August (with the car ideally reaching Ohio around August 20, though my dates are flexible). I was wondering if you might be interested! Thank you so much!
Thank you for reaching out. But this won’t quite work for our New York destination. Good luck to you!!
I read your blog and i get the some valuable information about car rental. Very useful information you share on this blog. Great blog. Thanks!