Life is short. The holidays go by fast. And the older our parents get, the more every Christmas together means.
So if Mom and Dad live a few states away, getting your elderly parents home for the holidays should be the easy part. Unfortunately, it’s often the most stressful part. Long drives, winter roads, and busy airports can make even a short visit feel like a big risk.
That’s where we come in. At Professional Drivers, we help families get their parents home safely, with their own car, their luggage, and even their furry companion. Here’s how it works.
Why Getting Elderly Parents Home for the Holidays Is So Stressful
The holidays are the busiest travel season of the year. In fact, AAA projected a record 122.4 million Americans would travel over the year-end holidays last year, and most of them went by car.
That means crowded highways, icy roads, and early sunsets, all at once. For older drivers, that’s a lot to handle.
On top of that, families worry about a few other things:
- The long drive. Eight or ten hours behind the wheel is tiring at any age.
- Winter weather. Snow and ice make long trips more dangerous.
- Sharing one car for weeks. If your parents stay a while, everyone ends up fighting over the keys.
- The family pet. Their dog or cat is family too, and flying with pets is complicated.
Good news: you can take all of that off the table.
Your Parents Get Their Own Car for the Whole Visit
Planning an extended stay? Maybe Mom and Dad are staying through New Year’s, or even the whole winter. Either way, they’ll want their own car.
When our professional driver brings their car to your home, your parents get their freedom back. They can run to the store, go to church, or visit old friends on their own schedule. Meanwhile, you’re not giving up your car for a month.
It’s a small thing that makes a long visit a lot more peaceful for everyone.
Two Easy Ways to Get Elderly Parents Home for the Holidays
Option 1: Your Parents Fly Ahead
This is the most popular choice. Your parents take a quick flight, and our driver brings their car right to your door.
They skip the long drive completely. Then, when they land, their car is waiting for them.
Option 2: Your Parents Ride Along
Some parents just don’t like to fly. That’s okay too. With our Ride Along service, your parents ride as passengers in their own car while our driver handles every mile.
They get to relax, enjoy the view, and arrive rested instead of worn out.
Pack the Car. No Extra Fee.
Here’s something families love. Many of our older customers send us off with all their luggage packed right in the car. Suitcases, winter coats, and everything they need for a long stay.
We don’t charge extra for luggage in the vehicle. Not a dime.
That means no airline bag fees and no hauling heavy suitcases through the airport. We just ask that nothing goes behind the driver’s seat or on the front passenger seat, and that everything is secure. Learn more about bringing personal items in your car.
Bring Their Companion Too
For a lot of older folks, their pet is their best friend. Leaving them behind for the holidays isn’t an option.
With our Pet Transport Service, their dog or cat rides in the car with our driver, or right beside your parents on a Ride Along. No cargo hold, no kennel, and no stressful airport.
That matters, because most airlines only allow small pets that fit under the seat to fly in the cabin. Want to learn more? Read our guide on traveling across the country with pets without flying.
Safety Comes First. Always.
Handing over the keys to your parents’ car, and maybe your parents too, takes a lot of trust. We don’t take that lightly.
Here’s what sets our drivers apart:
- Highly vetted. Every driver goes through a careful screening process before they ever get behind the wheel.
- Background checked. We check every driver’s history, so you know who’s driving.
- Drug screened. Our drivers are drug tested. No exceptions.
- Professional, start to finish. Every trip starts with a walk-around of the vehicle, so everyone agrees on its condition.
- One driver, one car. Your parents’ car is never loaded onto a truck with ten others.
On top of that, Professional Drivers is a Veteran Owned Business, an alumni company of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, and a member of the NDTA (National Defense Transportation Association).
Don’t just take our word for it. Read what our customers say in our reviews.
The Most Popular Holiday Routes for Elderly Parents
Why do so many families face a long holiday trip? Because so many parents retire far from home.
According to HireAHelper’s retirement migration study, the states drawing the most retirees are Florida, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Meanwhile, the states retirees leave most are California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Ohio. In other words, Mom and Dad moved south, but the kids and grandkids stayed put.
On top of that, AAA’s holiday booking data shows Florida is the top holiday destination in the country, with Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami leading the list.
Here are the routes families travel most, in both directions.
Florida to New York and New York to Florida
This is the classic. More retirees leave New York for Florida than for any other state. So every December, families split between places like Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami and New York City, Long Island, and Upstate New York need a way to get together. Your parents can fly, and we’ll bring their car up I-95.
Florida to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut
The Northeast has sent a huge wave of retirees to Florida. If your parents are in Florida and you’re in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Connecticut, we’ll get their car to your driveway.
Florida to Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois
Plenty of Midwest families have parents in Florida too. Whether you’re in Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, or Chicago, it’s too far for a comfortable one-day drive. Let us handle it.
Arizona to California and California to Arizona
California loses more retirees than any other state, and Arizona is where many of them land. If your parents live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or Tucson and the family is in Los Angeles, San Diego, or the Bay Area, we’ll make the trip easy.
Arizona and Nevada to Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota
Lots of Midwest parents spend the winter in Arizona or Las Vegas. Getting home to Chicago, Detroit, or Minneapolis for Christmas means crossing cold, snowy states. Our drivers handle those winter roads so your parents don’t have to.
Texas to California and Ohio
Texas is the second-biggest draw for retirees, and many come from California and Ohio. If your parents are in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin, we’ll get their car to the family, wherever they are.
The Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee to the Northeast
South Carolina gains more retirees than any other state. North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee are close behind. Many of those parents came from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. From Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Nashville, we’ll bring them home for the holidays.
Don’t see your route? We serve families nationwide. See all the locations we proudly serve.
Tips for a Smooth Holiday Visit
- Book early. December fills up fast, so plan in October or November.
- Plan the trip home too. Book the return at the same time.
- Keep medications with your parents. Pack them in a carry-on, not in the car.
- Pack the pet’s essentials. Bring food, meds, and vaccination records.
- Leave a little wiggle room. Winter weather can change plans, so build in a buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge extra for luggage in the car?
No. There’s no extra fee for luggage packed in the vehicle.
Can my parents fly while you drive their car?
Yes. It’s our most popular option for holiday visits.
Can my parents ride along?
Yes. Our Ride Along service lets them ride as passengers in their own car.
Can you bring their pet?
Yes. Pets can ride with our driver, or with your parents on a Ride Along.
Are your drivers safe?
Yes. Our drivers are highly vetted, background checked, and drug screened.
Do you serve my state?
Yes. We drive routes nationwide, including Florida, Arizona, Texas, the Carolinas, New York, California, and the Midwest.
How much does it cost?
Every trip is different. It depends on the distance, the vehicle, and who’s coming along. Call us for a free quote.
Let’s Get the Folks Home for the Holidays
Life’s too short to spend the holidays apart. Let us handle the road, so your family can focus on what matters most: being together.
Call Professional Drivers today at (214) 444-7544, or request your free quote. Let’s get Mom and Dad home safely this Christmas.
