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 personally liked reading your writing! I might boost you to submit blogs a bit more frequently.
Hello nerongs: Thank you for the kind compliment about my writing. I truly appreciate it. Though I’d love to write more often, I am often in developing countries where I have limited access to Internet and even electricity (currently in Nepal, where we currently have 10-hour per day power outages). Plus, since I am a perpetual traveler, I come back to my room every evening with 200+ photos that must be named and cataloged, 100+ emails that must be answered, and obligation for all my social sites like Twitter and Facebook. Then, each of my articles must be fully researched prior to writing, so I am not posting the type of “shallow” content that you will find on some sites. It all takes time, and I hope this gives you an appreciation of why I do not post more often. I much prefer fewer quality posts to more numerous, but poorer quality posts.
Does anyone need a vehicle driven from Los Angeles to Arcata, CA in May? My daughter graduates from Humboldt University and I would like to be there for the May 12 graduation. All other days before/after I’m flexible. Am in a divorce, ex emptied the bank and until court, I have little money to travel to see her and trying to get creative. I have a perfect driving record and am used to driving long distances like this. I can be reached at [email protected]. Thank you.
ART W
I will drive car from Las Vegas Area to Chicago Illinois around June 15 th for the cost of gas can be reached at www,[email protected] or phone #708-870-2420 hsve reference live in Sun City Summerlin
Washington D.C. to Minneapolis
My daughter who is in law school and I are planning to drive from Washington D.C. to Minneapolis during the week of May 14th. We have impeccable driving records and have driven the route several times. Please contact [email protected] to discuss further.
West coast to East Coast Trip.
We are a married couple in our upper 30’s wanting to drive across country Mid-May, the route is flexible but we are currently in San Francisco and want to end up in NYC. Super clean driving records and cross-country driving experience.
Hi! I am looking for someone to drive my recently purchased but lightly used 2007 ford focus from San Francisco to New York City. I used to live in San Francisco and moved back to New York (where I was born and raised) around Christmas. I have been trying to figure out how to get my car back over to the east coast but I don’t really have the $800 right now to ship it. Please let me know if this is something that you are still looking to do. When were you thinking of leaving to drive to NYC? This sounds like it could work out kinda nicely…Let me know 🙂
Hi RCbrowneyes. I would be able to make that trip if it is in May/June. Please email me at [email protected] if you still need a driver.
HI RCbrowneyes,
I live in Aptos. Ca.(Santa Cruz area) and am interested in driving to the East Coast during the last week in May or the first week in June. I could pick up the car in SF and deliver it to NYC. My one condition is that I be allowed to bring my very well behaved year old Lab puppy. Would you consider this? My destination is RHode Island. I would drop off the puppy first before coming in to NYC. I am a 63 year old very responsible woman. Leah
Hi, I can make that trip if it is in August/September. I’m [email protected].
Hi! I’m going to SF this summer and looking a car to drive to the NY. If you want some more informations about me and my trip, let me know! 🙂 it would be a great opportunity for both of us.
here is my e-mail: kiboko@o@o2:disqus .pl
I will be taking that trip from San Diego June 30. I need to be in NJ by July3 or 4th. Prior military and LEO. 619-857-0977
If you still need this vehicle moved, I will be available to take it back around the end of July, 1st of August, 2012.
I am going to California in early June. Looking to leave between June 1 – June 10. I have been driving consistently for 5 years, and have no moving violations.
Would love to talk more, and am willing to provide references. Contact @ [email protected]
I would drive car for $250 from Las Vegas to Chicago around June 15 please contact at [email protected] have references
I am heading from Los Angles CA to Baltimore MD between April 21-May 3. If anyone needs a car moved- would love to talk more.
[email protected]
Anyone need a car driven from Chicago area to Seattle or Chicago to Austin, TX in April/May/June?
I have a vehicle in Baltimore Maryland that needs driven to St Louis Mo. sometime in the next week or two. If you are a responsible driver and can clear a background check please respond,
Brian
I am making this exact trip, but in mid-July. If by some off chance you still need it driven then, I’d be happy to do it.
[email protected] for details.
greetings,
we are two 23 years old israelies with american citizenship from our american fathers that are touring the states, we are currently in towson MD and wanted to hear more about your car thats needs to be driven since we are west-bound generaly, are you still in need of a driver?
many thanks,
Itamar and Nitzan
*** you can write back to us to [email protected]***
NE to NM
Add-on to message below. I prefer to start in NY /PA area if possible but willing to consider other starting points.
NE to NM
I was previously a professional driver, responsible, good driving record, and non-smoker. I am 61 and want to drive a vehicle from the NE to NM in the next 2 weeks. Please contact me if you have a vehicle to go that way [email protected].
I have a vehicle in Baltimore Maryland that needs to be driven to St. Louis if you are interested.
Brian
Anyone need a car driven from Florida to New England next Thursday let me know. I am a 52 year old female and made this trip many of times.
I’m a 23 year old graduate student in New York City looking to drive home to Los Angeles after the semester is over in late May or early June 2012. If you need your car driven from anywhere near NYC to anywhere near LA, please contact me at jake11rich @ gmail.com . Good driving record; non-smoker.
I should mention that I have experience with cross-county driving.
I have a 2012 Ford Focus that needs driven fromAkron, Ohio to Simi Valley, CA. If you’re interested please email me at [email protected]. Thank you.
If someone needs a car driven from Houston, Texas or vicinity to San Diego, CA. around May 4th, please contact me. My wife and I are 59, spotless driving record. We would be returning from visiting family, contact at [email protected]
Does anyone need a car driven from San Diego, CA. to Houston the last weekend in April . It would be my wife and I driving we are 59 years old. We would be visiting family. Thanks Contact me at [email protected]
Does anyone need a car driven from Minneapolis to Greenbay or Marquette Michigan, toward the end of July. I am visiting my family in Michigan and will be flying into minneapolis and need to get to Michigan. I have driven cars across the country for driveaway companies. I am 50 years old and have an excellent driving record. Email: [email protected]
Does anyone need a car driven from New England to New Mexico toward the end of May? I live in Santa Fe and will be in Vermont for much of May to attend my children’s college graduation. While I am flying out to the NE, I am exploring the possibility of driving back with some items that I have in storage there. I am 56, in excellent health, and have a great driving record. My email is [email protected].
I have a bunch of theatre costumes that need to get from DC to LA in the next month or so. Anybody driving that way that could take them? It would be super expensive to ship them, so I’m hoping to find a less expensive way.
35 year old female looking to travel from Atlanta to Houston. If you need your vehicle transported please email [email protected]
Excellent driving record
Pilot license
Motorcycle license
Tractor, trailers, atv, snowmobiles, fork lift certified.
Honest!! Responsible!! Reliable!!
MOVING EAST anyone looking to have an auto delivered from inland empire area CA to pitts cleve columbus area sometime mid april – may , am flexible . 56 yrs. age , clean dmv record , non smoker. would consider to ride along & share expenses . Please contact Mike @ [email protected] phone 330/962/4378 Thanx
My friend and I would like to drive a car from the Bosotn area to San Francisco/northern CALI the end of May or the beginning of June. We are 57 and 62, with excellent driving records. I am planning a move and am shipping my Jeep. Non smokers, careful drivers etc. Please contact Linda at [email protected]. Thank you.
I am interested in driving someone’s vechicle from Palm Springs or Los Angeles Area to Mrytle beach SC. in August or Sept. If interested please contact me at [email protected] will show DMV print-out on agreement thank you
I am interested in driving someone’s vehicle from Los Angeles to South Louisiana at the end of May/beginning of June….if interested please contact me at [email protected]
My wife & I are hoping to drive from New York to California between 17th April & 12th May and we would be pleased to drive somebody’s car. We both have years of trouble free driving and are very careful. PJ & Marie
I have a 2012 Ford Focus that needs driven from Akron, Ohio to Simi Valley, CA. If you are interested please call / text me at 330-573-6821.
Thanks
John