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’m looking to drive your larger vehicle (mini-van or SUV) from the Bay Area (CA) to Denver, CO to arrive on or around June 25, 2019. Clean driving record for over 30 years; non-smoker; no pets; no drugs or criminal record. Will be transporting our family of 5 and accompanying luggage after a 2-week trip out west. We’ve owned/driven suburbans for over 20 years so very used to driving larger vehicles.
We are looking to drive a vehicle from the Boston area to Denver in late June. Responsible couple with excellent driving records. Your car would be in good hands!
I am interested in transporting a car from South Florida to New England (VT/CT/MA) between the 10th and 17th of June, 2019. I have made this trip dozens of times and I have experience with Driveaway Service, Ft. Lauderdale. My driving record is clean, and I am a non-drinker/non-smoker. I work at a summer camp each summer, and this is my preferred mode of travel there if I can get it.
Contact me any time.
Thanks!
Looking for someone to drive my car from Fairfax, Virginia or Northern Virginia area to Fort Collins, Colorado or Denver, Colorado. Pick up can be between May 14 ~ May 16 and delivery on May 17 ~ 18th.
Contact: [email protected]
Hello! I am interested in driving someone’s vehicle in mid-May from Portland, OR (or somewhere on the west coast) to Rhode Island (or somewhere on the east coast). I will need the vehicle for 1.5 weeks for pit stops if possible! I’ve driven cross country 4 times and am really comfortable behind the wheel, I also have a squeaky clean driving record. Feel free to contact me if I can help! [email protected]
Looking for someone interested in driving my 4 door sedan from San Jose, California to Atlanta, Georgia by the end of March 2019. Please email [email protected] with interest.
What does this pay. For me and what about expenses
Very nice article! I really like reading it and wish you luck for more amazing posts.
Amazing post! Thanks for sharing and keep up the amazing work.
san diego to dallas in mid june time frame 4 adults and luggage probably 4 days to drive
need full size or suv
Would like to drive a large car/truck from East Wenatchee or surrounding area to Arizona…I will have a golden Retriever with me and this would be in September after the holiday…I am flexible with date…Please advise if we can help each other…
Thank You,
Donna Manos
253-380-0757
My husband and I are looking to drive a vehicle back to Edmonton from Yuma, Arizona the end of March, 2019. If you are in need of someone to take it back we can do so. My husband is a good driver, does not drink or smoke and has never used drugs. We are seniors. We plan to drive directly back with no side trips.
I’m planning a trip from the Denver/Fort Collins, Colorado area to the Panhandle of Florida (Pensacola, Destin, etc) around March 17th. I’d love to connect with someone who needs their car driven to this area. I’m a safe, reliable driver with a great driving record.
Looking for someone to drive my uhaul end of march from Washington DC to phoenix Arizona
I might be available to drive the uhaul. Thanks.
Going to California middle of next month (March), planning to fly but would like to drive one way. Anyone that needs a car, truck, uhaul driven to east coast, contact me 301 616 1335. I don’t smoke or drink and have references you can trust. Please contact me before I buy plane tickets. Thank you.
Wife and I are driving my brothers car to Ormond Beech on the 28th of Feb. We are looking for something to drive back to Pennsylvania on the 5th 6th or 7th of March…safe drivers non smokers.. truck or car no matter. I have a class b…Retired, wife still works
Looking g to drive your car or truck from Phoenix to Suburbs of Chicago sometime this spring.
I’m 55,non smoker/ non drinker or drugs
Perfectly clean driving record and perfectly clean background check.
My wife and I are looking to drive a car from the Los Angeles, CA area towards Seattle, WA the first week of May 2019.
We are planning a weeklong trip LA to Seattle 5/5 – 5/11 or so…
We are 34/35 years old, professional careers, each with clean driving records.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ben (& Brenda)
I am looking to drive someones car from the New England area (could be MA, CT, RI) or possibly the New York City Area to Indianapolis area. or possibly a 2 hour radius.
I DON’T CHARGE A FEE! you pay gas and tolls only.
35 year clean driving record (NO Accidents ever!)
Responsible homeowner and mom to 3 teenagers, non-smoker/no drugs.
DATES: Pick up-March 16/17 deliver on March 20 or later.
[email protected] contact me today!
I would be interested in driving your automobile from Palm Beach County to the North Eastern United States in the near future. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact me and let me know, and then we can work out all the finances, arrangements and details. I moved from L.I., N.Y. To South Florida approximately 5 years ago, so I am familiar with both regions. I have a squeaky clean driving record. I would keep you informed along the duration of the trip. I don\’t smoke, drink or do any drugs, so your car will be in responsible hands.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank You,
Ken
I am interested in driving a vehicle from Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA or close surrounding area (within 100 miles) between February 20-23 2019
[email protected]
Commercial Pilot, looking to drive your car from Chicago to Orlando area late March. Perfect driving record, no kids or pets, dependable.
I am interested in driving your car/truck from Arizona to Houston/East Texas.
My family and I are interested in driving your vehicle from the Orlando area to New England (preferably Massachusetts or New Hampshire) in March. My husband and I have excellent driving records and will have 2 kiddos with us to ensure we keep your car as safe as can be. Feel free to email myself directly: [email protected]. Thank you, Jodi
Will drive your vehicle from any point in continental U.S. to your final destination I possess class B CDL no restrictions, 47 years driving experience no accidents no tickets contact for details [email protected] advance notice required.
Looking to have my car driven from Hudson, Fl to Derby Ct. around 3/22/19.
MY WIFE & I , BOTH 61 & STILL WORK, ARE LOOKING TO DRIVE A CAR OR SUV, FROM SAN DIEGO TO FLORIDA, IN JULY OF 2019. SIGHT SEEING ALONG THE WAY ! WE BOTH HAVE EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORDS.