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 for someone to relocate my car from Massachusetts (the South Shore or Boston) to Los Angeles in July. I would cover all reasonable expenses. Please email me if you are interested at [email protected]. Thank you!
Hi, my step-mom is looking to relocate a car, trailer or camper from Los Angeles to the New York/New Jersey area in August.
Her ideal drive start date would be sometime around August 7, 8 or 9. She would just expect all expenses covered, but has no additional daily fee. She has a clean driving record and currently drives a Subaru Forester, but has driven many types of cars, including a Ford F-250, and horse trailers, throughout her life.
Please email me, Caylin Brahaney, at [email protected] and I can provide you with her cell phone number.
I will drive your car from Maryland/Virginia to Washington or Oregon in September 2021
I live in Maryland and will be taking my daughter to Portland OR for graduate school. Classes start Sept 27, so we’re looking to leave around Sept 15 and deliver the car around Sept 25. Our destination is Portland but we can drop the car off anywhere we can rent a car and get to Portland within a day.
I have many years of experience driving all kinds of cars, from VW bugs to pickup trucks. I currently drive a Nissan Pathfinder.
Email me (Susan-Marie Stedman) if interested: [email protected]
Hi Susan,
This may not be helpful, but I might get you half way. I have a car in Madison,Wisconsin and I’d like to give it to a daughter in Eugene, OR.
Mid September is fine here. Let me know.
Laurie
Hoping to help someone by driving their vehicle either to or from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Midwest (preferably Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana) in July/August 2021.
I’m a professional, highly qualified 47 year old high school teacher, living with my wife, two daughters, and our dog in San Francisco, California. This summer we are visiting family in the Midwest during the months of July/August. My wife and kids will be flying, however, I’m hoping to drive so that we can bring our family dog along and not have to leave her alone with a boarder for the weeks we are away.
My ideal travel dates are departing SF approximately July 12 and arriving in the Midwest by the end of that week. Ideal return dates (for anyone wanting their car transported to the SF Bay Area) are departing the Midwest approximately August 2 and returning to the SF Bay Area by the end of that week.
Lastly, I am a fully insured driver with a spotless driving record of over 25 years, and am willing to provide this service free of charge!
If interested in this mutually benefitting opportunity, please email me at [email protected]
Looking for someone I can help out by driving their car from the New England area to Austin, Texas sometime in August 2021. Willing to be flexible on dates and locations, so anywhere on the East Coast to anywhere near Texas is doable.
Also open to your other transport needs during any time of the year. Email me to discuss options!
[email protected]
? Hi Alicia,
I hope you are doing well.
I am interested in transporting your vehicle. As the summer approaches, I will have some time to take some transports on so if you or anyone you know needs this type of service, please keep me in mind. I had a business doing this for 4 years but my daughter needed me more so I became a full time baby sitter to my 3 grandsons. If interested, I can provide you a quote.
Keep in touch,
Best,
Terry Holt
[email protected]
Sent from my iPhone
I would like to drive your car from anywhere on the East Coast (prefer DC and points north) to anywhere on the west coast (prefer Bay Area to LA) from late June or early July to late July. I have a spotless driving record and impeccable professional reference. I am super reliable, you can count on me. I guarantee you can afford me,
Hi!
Willing to drive your vehicle from the east coast (DMV area preferred), to Portland, Oregon (but open to other locations) for FREE. I have a clean driving record, and am looking to drive cross-country June/July 2021 to take my son to college. My number is 301-663-3096 if this is of interest to anyone!
Thank you,
Z
Hey there!
My fiancé and I drove a friend’s car from New York to LA this December (we’ve done multiple cross country road trips together over the last 6 years), and we’d love to transport your car back east sometime in March.
We can pick up from LA or San Francisco (or in the area of either), and transport to New York, or the surrounding area. Flexible dates.
Please reach out if you’d like to talk further!
[email protected]
If you are looking for someone to move your vehicle from Point A to Point B, we are the one.
A retired couple will do it for you for actual cost reimbursement only. We do this as a way to see the USA, not as a FOR PROFIT business,
Just tell us when you need this done and from what city to what city and we will supply a cost figure.
References are available upon request.
If interested in our service, just email me.
Cents
[email protected]
I can personally drive your vehicle to or from any state as long as I can get to it. Passenger cars, bus, campers, RV’s etc.
My service just covers cost of fuel, reasonable hotel stay, travel to vehicle pick up, travel back home as well as my daily fee. The cost is very much lower than the cost to ship your vehicle, with the added convenience of delivery to your chosen location.
I have over 25 years proffesional driving with Class B endorsement with no incidents. My time is extremely flexible and I can provide strong references. I am willing discuss any service or general questions you have.
Please email me back if interested and provide me with the vehicle type and time frame you would need this service.
Safe travels,
JD
[email protected]
Mazda 3 from San Diego to Pittsburgh, end of January/early February, some expenses paid.
Hi! I’m available to drive a vehicle from New Haven CT area to Los Angeles. I’m hoping to leave by Jan 26/27 and arrive Feb 1st. Thanks, Chris – [email protected]
Hi,
I need someone to drive my 2005 Honda Accord, (comfortable car and drives well) from the New Orleans, LA or MS Gulf Coast to Washingon, DC sometime between Feb 15-28. I will pay expenses and $250 to someone with a clean driving record.
It is about 1500 miles and it is a straightforward drive.
Thanks!
Pls email amize202 (at) gmail.com
I can’t trust auto-transport companies anymore. I live bi-coastally and would like my car driven back to New Milford, CT from Corvallis, OR, and vice versa, a few times per year. For now, I’m wondering how all this works and is anyone willing to do it for the cost of gas because you’re looking for a way to get from OR to CT within the next few weeks? It’s winter so not sure how this works, like I said. Would appreciate tips and advice! Thanks…
Happy to discuss this with you.
JD
[email protected]
Hi Caren,
Happy to talk about driving your vehicle.
JD
I am available to drive your vehicle from Tampa Bay area to Detroit Michigan area for fuel cost. I have a clean driving record and have made this trip about 15 times already. Please contact me at [email protected] to discuss details if interested.
My wife and I (semi-retired) are available in late Jan. 2020 or early Feb. 2020 to drive your vehicle from NY state to Los Angeles for reimbursement of all travel costs, (we can pay for lodging & meals).
Please contact us at: [email protected] or 607-592-8437.
Thanks,
-Mike and Carrie
Hi!
Trying to find someone who is in need of someone to drive their vehicle from the eastcoast (Boston or CT area preferred), to the Westcoast (possibly near Seattle, WA but open to other locations). I have a clean driving record, and am looking to drive cross-country this spring 2021 to visit my dad. My number is 207-219-4471 if this is of interest to anyone!
Thank you,
Molly
Will Drive Your Vehicle
My wife and I (Retired) will drive your vehicle from Point A to Point B for reimbursement of actual cost involved to do it. Please provide from what city to what city and earliest date unit is available for pickup and latest date it can be delivered.
Please reply to my direct Email— [email protected]
Ron
414-750-4110
Hello,
I am a recently retired State worker with Class B CDL with over 34 years as a licensed driver. In those years I have over 25 years proffesional driving experience including passenger cars, trucks, RV’s, motorcycle, and heavy equipment.
My service just covers cost of fuel, reasonable hotel stay, travel to vehicle pick up, travel back home as well as my daily fee. The cost is very much lower than the cost to ship your vehicle, with the added convenience of delivery to your chosen location. I can drive anytime, anywhere in any state.
My time is very flexible and I can provide strong references. I am willing discuss any service or general questions you have.
[email protected]
Safe travels,
JD
Excellent driver (CDL) will drive your vehicle from western Oregon to Klamath Falls, Alturas, Reno or Redding during week after Christmas.
I will drive your car from Western MA to Tampa/St Pete after Christmas. You pay for the gas. Dave 413-433-5011
Need a driver to drive my car with me in it from Ft. Laud. Fl. to Northern Md. as I suffer heart failure can’t drive long distances .
I pay gas and food. Great car Sirius radio . If interested email me [email protected]
Sure could make that drive of a help! [email protected]
I’ve found someone to drive my mom’s car to Florida, but I need a sample contract. Is anyone willing to share one? I’ll appreciate it forever!!
Looking for someone who needs there car driven from east coast to California in late December, but dates are very flexible. Clean driving record and very responsible. Let me know!