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.
Friends and family on the west coast, i am on the east coast. will drive your car for gas only–i will pay for my own food and motel. Get me close to Las Vegas, San Fransisco, or Seattle… \ no smoking ,drinking or drugs. offer good until Christmas. call or text 301 616 1335. will drive U-Haul for cash . thank you.
Hello, my friend and I are moving from Sacramento to Chicago and would love to help someone move their car from Sacramento/the Bay area to Chicago in late August and deliver it as early as Sept 1. (Could also be interested in delivery to Denver)
We are both licensed and experienced drivers with plenty of road trips under our belt. Feel free to reach out if interested: [email protected]
I am looking to drive any car, at anytime, to anywhere in the continental USA. I love driving long distance and I love getting paid for it, and I am not that expensive and we can negotiate.
I need a car transported from Stockton area of CA to New Richmond WI. Where are you located?
Tricia,
I would also be happy to discuss this with you. I am a teacher from Virginia who started doing auto driveaway on the side last summer. I had the privilege of doing a few jobs, including a drive from Connecticut to Las Vegas and another from New Jersey to Oklahoma City. As a result, I have references from past jobs that can vouch for my trustworthiness with your vehicle!
If you are interested in speaking with me more, please email me at [email protected]. As of now, I am available from Memorial Day through June 16. Depending on how some things shake out, it is possible that my availability may extend deeper into the summer.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Zach Green
[email protected]
My sister and I are looking to drive your car from San Antonio, TX area to Norfolk/Portsmouth VA area, arriving no later than April 4. No charge, clean driving record, non-smokers. 4+ years active duty military so I better pass a background check! We do have a dog, well house-trained. Email for more information: [email protected]
Subject: Willing to Drive to South Florida This December
Hello everyone!
My name is Zach Green. I am a middle school teacher that started doing auto driveaway on the side over summer break. This past June and July I had the privilege of doing three long-distance jobs starting at three different points in the United States. While I plan to pick that back up again in late May/June of 2023, I am looking for a specific kind of job this December.
This time, I am looking for someone who wants their vehicle driven to South Florida by December 20. While the Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach areas are ideal, I would certainly consider a trip to Miami. I am willing to drive from anywhere in the United States within 1,500 miles of this area beginning on December 18 or December 19.
I have reasonable rates and experience with long distance drives. Past drives include Connecticut to Las Vegas and New Jersey to Oklahoma City. I have a clean driving record and references that can speak to my trustworthiness with your vehicle!
If this fits your needs, please contact me at [email protected]!Thanks!
Sincerely,
Zach Green
Hi, My husband and I are retirees looking to drive someone’s car from the Central Coast of Calif. to somewhere near NE Tennessee (KY, VA, NC, etc.). We have a few boxes in Morro Bay from a former home that we need to bring home.
We need motel accommodations and some gas, but no fee. Both of us have clean records and are responsible people who care for others’ things. We can check in with you as often as you like.
Snowbirds, TAKE NOTICE. Time to head South.
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.
NonSense
[email protected]
Hi, My husband and I are looking to transport a vehicle from New York City or surrounding areas to Los Angeles or near by. I’m flexible with dates, but aiming around January or February. Willing to send clean driving record and clean the car inside and out before delivering it.
Greetings. My wife and I — very clean driving records, non-smokers, responsible — will care for and drive your vehicle between New York State and San Diego. We must arrive in Southern California by December 14. Contact me at [email protected]. Regards.
Need your car driven from west coast to east coast in time for the holidays? I’m looking to leave from Southern California around Dec 10th to 15th and arrive in Philadelphia before Christmas. Willing to take your car anywhere between Boston and Richmond. Email me at [email protected] if you’re interested!
Hi, Looking for someone to drive my car from Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans in next couple weeks [email protected]
I’ll drive your vehicle from Alaska to Seattle late August 2022.
Hi all! I am looking to transport a vehicle for a small fee from California to the midwest at the beginning of September/end of August
Happy to send you more information on my clean driving record, insurance, or background if you would like. Please reach out if we can be of help!
Email: [email protected]
Hello ! I am driving from upstate New York to California at the end of August. Also driving back California to New York. I’ve driven cross-country three times and would happily drive someone else’s car – let me know if I can help you?
[email protected]
I own a 1955 Thunderbird and I will treat your car like I treat that car. I am a responsible retiree and a car guy (and pet lover) my entire life and now live in San Diego. I can drive just about any vehicle, and will drive yours from Southern CA to anywhere you need it driven.
I will do it safely and on time, and will check in with you as often as you would like me to. I will even transport your pet if needed. I have AAA (just in case) and a clean driving record. You only pay for gas, $20 per hour I spend driving (Google drive times) and a flight to get me back home (and car repairs if needed). My schedule is pretty flexible. Let me know what you need… Thanks – [email protected]
Hi everyone! My friend and I just graduated from Columbia University and are driving from the east coast (NYC/Philly/New Jersey) to LA in late June early July (6/25 – 7/6). We would be happy to relocate a vehicle free of cost during this time.
We are both responsible drivers and people, and would be happy to send you more information or background if you would like. Please reach out if we can be of help!
Email: [email protected]
Looking for someone I can help out by driving their car from Austin, Texas to the New England area sometime in late June or early July 2022. Also looking to make the return trip from Connecticut to Texas in early/mid July as well. Willing to be flexible on dates and locations, so anywhere on the East Coast and anywhere near central Texas is doable.
I’m open to your other transport needs during any time of the year. Email me to discuss options!
[email protected]