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.
Driver available to drive a car from NY to California in August. My 11 lb. dog and I are moving to California in August. We were going to fly, but I am worried confining Coco to inside a bag for 6 hours would cause him to panic. My vet is refusing to sign a letter certifying he is an emotional support dog. I am an excellent driver and will be careful with your car. Please contact me anytime – [email protected]. Thank you, Julie
Hi, I’m Terry. I had a Auto Transport business for 4 years. I would mostly drive cars to Florida for the Snowbirds but I did do some transports cross country for college students, job relocation or people who purchased vehicles online. I am very experienced at this and I am also very safe as well. I am now doing it freelance. Contact me if you need your vehicle driven for you!
I would like my 2000 honda civic (it’s very reliable) driven from Sacramento CA to near Austin texas. Is this something you do and what are the terms?
When would you need this done? Email me. I’m gonna be over in that area this summer!
[email protected]
Need someone to drive me from Phila to Los Angeles August 2 or 3 … Any idea where I can find that?
My car is available to drive from San Mateo CA, to Euless ,TX .. (2006 Honda Civic Coupe) .. contact me at [email protected] …. offer valid for two weeks
Driver available to drive a vehicle from Colorado to Florida in July. I have an excellent driving record – fully insured.
Reliable and dependable. Please contact me anytime – [email protected]
Thank you for your consideration. Candyce
Looking to drive a car from Denver to somewhere on north east coast. I am driving my son to college from Denver to upstate NY but am willing to drop at a near location . I would want to leave from Denver around August 11-14th. I have a very responsible driving record and can provide references. I want the road trip with my son and his gear and then I would fly back.
Hi All!
I’m looking to drive a minivan/suv to Denver, CO from Charlotte, NC towards the end of 2019 or beginning of 2020. I’m pretty flexible with time. Please reach out! Thank you for your time.
Martin Young
I would like to drive a car or get a ride from palm springs to Eastern Kansas 6/15/19 or before.
thank you!
Looking to drive a vehicle from Jacksonville, Fl to Dallas or Arlington Texas in month of July 2019. Need to get to Arlington to to drive back with my granddaughter who is a student at university of Texas (Arlington). Non smoker and retired police officer.
Hello.. Looking med size truck ( no more that 20 f ) leave in Miami Florida and moving to Denver Colorado … I some have a truck need to put it in Denver .. I’m nonsmoking person clean record driving … Please I need sooner possible
interested in driving a car from charlotte nc to denver co on june 1, 2019 to june 4,2019
hey Tom Sabel,
I’m looking to do the same trip as you at the beginning of 2020. Did you get to find a car/truck to make the trip?? Would love any tips/info on your trip.
Martin
I am interested in driving your car/truck or van from Michigan to Dallas, Texas the end of June 2019. Can pick up on the 27th and you could have it the next day. My husband and I are going down to visit family. Non smoker. Good driving record. Just want to cut down expenses and enjoy the scenery.
Hello everyone! Looking to drive a large van / mini van with stow and go seating from NY to Mcleansville, NC. Dates are felxible. I need to transport a large amount of dishes (eye-roll) and see my niece who was just born. Non-smoker. Please let me know if you have any need for my driving! Thank you.
-Jon
I am looking for a driver to drive my car (2000 Mazda Protege, 145 K miles) from WA state to Los Angeles or nearby within two weeks (May 18 – June 3rd, 2019).
Hi, Dib – I could possibly do it. I was flying to San Francisco from Seattle on 28 May, anyway (flight already booked). I’m not quite sure how this works? Is there money involved & do you pay expenses & cost of return flight?
The trip would take me two days. Leave Seattle early day one, arrive mid-day LA the next.
Kind regards,
Don
If someone needs a truck or a suv transported at no charge from Dallas tx to Salt Lake City and would allow me to tow a boat behind.
I’m a very good driver never non smoker or drinker
I am looking to drive someone’s car from the Midwest (I’m located in Sioux Falls SD) to the east coast. My end destination is Harper’s Ferry WV. I’m looking to get on the road between May 14-17 2019. Please let me know if I can be of assistance and if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Nathan
Retired military family w excellent driving records crossing from WA/CA to east coast will drive reliable car or van etc. Depart west coast around June 28, arrive east coast July 19. No car seats, no smokers, no small children (11 and 17).
I am a missionary living near Albuquerque,NM on a small stipend hoping to get to my neice’s wedding mid May in Chicago. Looking to drive your vehicle for you…
Need someone to drive 2017 chevy spark from Florida to Dallas around 05/04/2019.
My girlfriend and I will be flying to Portland Oregon June 29 and are looking to relocate a vehicle to the Los Angeles area or anywhere in between. we fly out of LAX July 6. Anybody needing assistance with a vehicle relocation, we both have chauffeur license, are in our early 40s, and fully insured Michigan drivers.
Please call me at 9 zero six 553- five three 00
Justin and Jen
My wife and I, (both with great DMV records) are looking for a one way drive from Oceanside, CA. (San Diego County) to Boise, Idaho around mid-June 2019. I am a 68 year old general contractor, perfect record…just trying to cut costs on an important trip. No animals, no kids, no smoking, just good driving and delivery.
Need someone to drive a 2018 F-150 from Rochester Hills, Michigan to San Diego, California. Must have clean driving record. No smoking or pets. Send rates and requirements to: jstallings at gmail dot com
Need to drive from Jax FL to palm beach Broward or Dade county..south FL.
I need to travel to to Indianapolis Indiana would like to drive your car . I have a friend in Indianapolis so I just need driving his car there I’ve been driving truck for 20 years so I’m experienced driver no worries
Have clean driving record and need a big car like minivan to drive from Chicago to San Francisco around 8, 2019
Retired person looking and willing to drive cars, trucks, Rv’s anywhere in country. Have been experienced driver on trucks such as U-Haul, Penske etc. All I asked is a reasonable fee, expenses and time allotment .
856-981-3366
I will be retiring in August from my career in policing that I’ve worked in for over 20 years. I am interested in driving a vehicle from Jersey City/NYC, to Vancouver, Canada, or somewhere in Washington state. I have an impeccable driving record. I would need the vehicle for approximately 10 days total. I am looking to drive from August 31st, or the first few days of September. Non-smoker, would be driving with my brother-in-law. No pets or children would accompany us on this trip. I’ve done 2 cross-country trips in the past. Please let me know if interested, thanks!
Scott
I am looking for a great driver willing to drive my Tesla from Washington DC area to Western Montana in June 2019 (Need to be in Missoula by June 17). Please send details to mikeylives2 [at] yahoo
Hi
As previous Tesla owner,
I can drive it to Utah if this works. My plan is leaving DC to California Bay area on June 7.
Please let me know by calling me at 3013203945.
Thanks
Ashk