Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Driveaway Service

yellow A1 Auto Transport carrier on highway

Considerations

  • Driveaway service eliminates carrier loading but adds mileage, fuel usage, and potential wear to the vehicle during long-distance transport.
  • Typical pricing ranges $0.80–$1.20 per mile, excluding fuel reimbursement, tolls, and optional driver accommodation expenses.
  • Only FMCSA-registered driveaway companies with active DOT numbers can legally operate across state lines; always verify credentials.
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
Best price guarantee: save 20% compared to other companies with our local partner carriers!
Open-Air or Enclosed Transport
Door-to-Door Delivery
Terminal-to-Terminal
Specialty Vehicle
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Driveaway Service

A driveaway service is an auto transport service in which your vehicle is picked up by a professional driver and driven to its final destination. You should know that it'll be physically driven rather than placed in a trailer and hauled by a truck. A driveaway service offers many advantages compared to a more traditional carrier service, but it also comes with a few disadvantages.

A-1 Auto Transport Ships Worldwide.
Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.
Get my free quote now
or call us to do it for you:

Advantages of Using a Driveaway Service.

  • Faster Shipping - Since your car will be picked up from an agreed-upon location and is then driven immediately to its final destination, it will be delivered much faster in comparison to choosing a traditional hauling service. There is no need for loading and unloading your or other vehicles to be loaded or unloaded. Instead, once he or she picks up your vehicle, the driver has only one focus: get your car and ONLY your vehicle to its final destination as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Door-to-Door Delivery is Available—Since a large tractor-trailer, for example, doesn't need to navigate to your location, you don't have to worry about this not being an option. No matter your location, your car will be picked up by a professional driver and delivered to its final destination. There's no need to pick up your vehicle at a terminal or drive it to a drop-off location. This, of course, also contributes to it being hauled faster.
  • Transport Personal Items, Including Pets. You, the driver, and the shifting service will have to discuss what is and isn't allowed beforehand, but in many instances, you can fill the trunk with your items. In addition, you won't have to remove various auto accessories like you usually would with a traditional relocating service.
a notebook and clock nearby

Disadvantages of Using a Driveaway Service.

  • More Expensive. Because the service is more personalized, it'll also cost more. You cannot split the costs with others as you would with multiple cars being shifted.
  • Possibility of Wear and Tear. Granted, there are open trailers that will expose your vehicle to the weather and the elements if you choose that option, but you can also put your car in an enclosed trailer. However, with a driveway service, your vehicle will be exposed in the open road the whole time. This is something to consider if your car is valuable, such as it being a luxury auto or an antique. However, you will avoid the possibility of any damage occurring during the loading and unloading process, since your automobile will not have to go through this.
  • More Mileage. The more miles your auto incurs, the lower its value will be. If your car needs to be driven a great distance, it will have more miles on it than if it were towed instead. This is why a driveaway service is perhaps better for those whose vehicle only has to be driven a short distance instead of being hauled across the country.

An auto driveaway company that's credible will run a full background check on the drivers they hire, including the person's driving records. Nonetheless, you should always make sure that you document how your automobile looks before the driver leaves and make sure to have copies of all of the relevant paperwork. In addition, you should visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov to see if your driver is officially licensed.

a vehicle travels along a bustling city street at night
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today
Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link
Joe Webster
Written ByJoe Webster
Connect with Joe Webster on facebookConnect with Joe Webster on linkedin
Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2025, A-1 Auto Transport Inc. - All Rights Reserved.