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.
Would like to drive your car from VA to AZ, CO, NM, CA (good driving record) during Feb or Mar 2012. I am headed to AZ for one month.
Want to drive your car from Seattle to New York June 1- June 20 . Retired couple, good driving record. [email protected]
Hi, I am would like to drive your car from the Chicago to Kansas.
this is my email,
[email protected]
Hi, I am looking to drive your car from New York to Los Angeles.
We will fly to NY on Feb 24th and come back to LA on March 11th.
Very responsible drivers and will not drive too much a day. We will take some time and come back to LA.
toru.uchikado@gmail:disqus .com
My husband and I live in London UK but are flying into Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on July 4th. We would like to drive a car from Halifax to Ottawa or Toronto Ontario planning to arrive there about the 14th of July. We would like to spend about 4 days in the Halifax area then drive slowly down to Ontario. Does anyone need their car driven during this time.
We have both held UK drivers licence for over 30 years and have excellent driving records. We have driven in Canada, USA, NZ, Australia, Africa, most of Europe.
We are competent and careful drivers.
Hi:
I am a responsible professional gainfully employed writer-producer man with an impeccable driving record looking to drive your car from LA to NY, from March 1st to March 10th. I drive so slowly that my adult kids are still calling me asking “Are we there yet?” Why not fly? You can’t touch the turf of Route 66 from the sky. Bypass this and find me at [email protected]
Would like to drive a toyhauler or motorhome/w/trailer to accompany my motorcycle, to Alaska this coming July. One way. I am 67 and in good health,dont smoke,etc.
contact Paul @ [email protected] I am in Indiana.
Grandma and Grampa want to visit new grandson in LA in March, April or May 2012. We are in Minneapolis area. Let us drive your car and we will fly back. We have very little luggage, don’t smoke or drink, and are age 65 and 63. Would like to take about 5 days on our way.
60 year old retiree in excellent health will deliver your vehicle anywhere in the US from within 100 miles of South Bend, Indiana. Contact: [email protected] put “Transport” in subject box of email. Thanks.
I need a car driven from Columbus Ohio to San Diego, CA in May 2012. My wife and I are moving and need someone to drive one car. [email protected]
I don’t understand why my reply isn’t showing here today. However, I also replied to your email address, but have not received a reply. My name is Wyn, did U receive my email to your hotmail address?
I guess you either resolved your situation, or you’re just too rude to reply – either on this site, or from your hotmail address. You give a very poor impression of this site.
BritAmer: May I suggest that one commenter being rude gives a poor impression of himself, not of this site. I have no control over other people’s manners.
Hi BritAmeri. I have a car, Ford Focus 2012 that needs driven from Akron, Ohio to Simi Valley CA. Could you please email me if you are interested at [email protected]?
Thanks
Looking to drive a car from Boston area to Los Angeles. Can do any weekend. Would leave on friday and have your car to LA by Sunday night. 30yr old professional with references and A+ credit. Contact [email protected]. Will do for free.
LOOKING FOR CAR to drive from NYC area to Los Angeles area around March 16, 2012. Two very responsible college students with references looking for a cheap way to get home from college. contact: [email protected]
I have a 2010 Toyota Prius I need driven from San Francisco California to the New York City Area. Contact me: [email protected]
I am planning a trip from Los Angeles to Pennsylvabnia in early June of this year. (I also own a 2011 Prius).
looking to drive your car to Florida panhandle area from salt lake city, week of March 11.
Please reply to tavik526@@msn:disqus .com
have good driving record,Utah license
Looking to drive your car to Florida from Salt lake City. Week of March 11, 2012.
Please reply to tavik526@msn:disqus I need to be in Panhandle area by March 16.
I am looking to drive your van or car from Michigan or Ohio to California. I have excellent driving record and references. Can leave anytime beginning in February/March. Feel free to write me for more information at [email protected]
I am looking to drive to the east coast like from Los Angeles. My destination is Bethany ,De. I would like to take Hwy 70. I have a CA drivers license. I am looking to leave around feb./March
I am looking to drive a car from Los Angeles to Bethany, De.
I would like to leave at the beginning of March.
52 year old male and wife driving from Seattle wa. 3-6-12 to Southern California 3- 11-12. Both have excellent driving records and can finance trip til reimbursed! [email protected]
Leaving St Louis 2/10/12 to Sarasota Fl
Leaving Sarasota 3/09/12 returning to St Louis
Would gladly drive your car
Hello
Im in Arizona ill drive your car to Oregan. im 49yrs, non smoker, dont drink, and drug free.
I have an exelent driving record. I have an ex girlfriend that would love to see me. we want
to try to work things out. that i like. i can take the trip at any givin time.
please e-mail [email protected]
Hello,
I’ll be on vacation in the US in March and will be looking for a car to drive from anywhere to NYC to be there by around the 16th.Any start point will do but would prefer long-distance. I have an Irish/ International CDL. 44yrs, non-smoker.
Thanks, Gerry.
Feb 2012 – NEED CAR TO DRIVE – I am looking for a car to drive from Metro West Massachusetts to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and for a car to drive afterwards back to MetroWest Massachusetts. My mother is sick and I would like to go see her. I want to travel Feb 17, 18th and
am looking to return Feb 25 , 26th. I am early 40 and have a great driving
record. I am an attentive and reliable driver and go the speed limit. I
use no drugs or alcohol, nor do I smoke.
Leaving from Oregon/Washington and driving to North Carolina. Looking for someone to help drive, and share in fuel costs. I want to leave within the next 2 weeks (Jan 21-Feb 2).
Hello,
I am a 53 year old male, flawless driving record and references, located in Conneticut available to hand deliver your car from New England to Florida, or from Florida to New England. Feel free to write for more information. [email protected]