Need your car moved across the country but don’t want to spend a week behind the wheel? Good news: you don’t have to. Every year, thousands of people hire someone to drive their car across the country instead of doing it themselves or putting it on a truck.
This guide answers the questions people ask most: how it works, what it costs, whether it’s safe, and when it beats car shipping. We’re Professional Drivers, and moving vehicles with real drivers is what we do.
Can You Really Pay Someone to Drive Your Car Across the Country?
Yes. It’s called a driveaway service (also called a personal driver or professional car driver service). You hire a professional driver who flies or travels to your car, picks it up, and drives it straight to your new address.
Your car never goes on a truck. It stays on the road, with one driver focused on it the whole way.
How Does It Work?
Here’s what the process looks like with Professional Drivers:
- Get a quote. Call us with your pickup spot, drop-off spot, vehicle, and whether you’re towing anything.
- Pick your date. You choose the pickup day. No vague “pickup window.”
- Walk-around at pickup. Our driver checks the car with you before leaving.
- Straight to your door. The driver heads directly to your destination, with no stops for other people’s cars.
- Hand-off. You get your car back, ready to drive.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Someone Drive Your Car Across the Country?
Here’s the truth: anyone who gives you one flat price without asking questions is guessing. That’s because no two trips are the same.
For example, your price depends on things like:
- What we’re driving. A car, a pickup, an electric vehicle, an RV, or a U-Haul?
- Whether we’re towing. Is there a trailer or camper hooked up behind it?
- Who’s coming along. Is the family dog riding with us? Are you?
- Where it’s going. Across the state or across the country?
That’s why every Professional Drivers quote is built for your exact trip. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Base charge: Covers the driver and the trip.
- Fuel and tolls: Billed at actual cost.
- Driver travel: The driver’s flight or ground transportation is billed at actual cost.
We do not mark up expenses. Ever. You pay what your trip really costs, and nothing extra.
Want to discuss your trip? Call us at (214) 444-7544 for a free quote.
Is It Cheaper to Ship a Car or Pay Someone to Drive It?
Honestly? Putting your car on a big multi-car truck is usually the cheapest option. That’s because one trucker splits the cost across eight or ten cars.
However, cheapest isn’t always best. Here’s what you give up with a truck:
- Your schedule. Shippers usually give you a pickup window of several days, not a set date. After that, the truck stops for every other car on board before it gets to yours.
- Your stuff. Most car shippers only allow around 100 pounds of personal items, trunk only. Plus, the carrier’s insurance usually won’t cover anything inside.
- Your pets. A car hauler can’t bring your dog.
- Your trailer. A car carrier won’t tow your camper or cargo trailer behind your truck.
So if all you care about is the lowest price and you’re flexible on timing, shipping can work. But if timing, control or peace of mind matters, a personal driver is worth it.
Is It Safe to Let Someone Drive Your Car Cross Country?
It is when you hire the right company. Here’s what to look for:
- A real business, not a stranger from an online marketplace.
- Clear pricing with no hidden fees.
- A walk-around inspection at pickup and drop-off.
- Good reviews from real customers.
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).
Pro tip: Before you book any driver, call your car insurance company. Ask if you’re covered when a professional drives your car across state lines. It takes five minutes and gives you peace of mind.
How Long Does It Take?
It depends on the distance. Our drivers go directly to your destination and follow safe daily driving limits. For reference, the FMCSA hours-of-service rules show how much daily driving is considered safe for professionals.
Because there’s no truck to fill up and no other stops, your car usually gets there faster than it would on a multi-car carrier. We’ll give you an estimated trip time with your quote.
Won’t It Put Miles on My Car?
Yes. The trip miles go on your odometer, and we’ll always be upfront about that.
For most everyday cars, SUVs and trucks, that trade is worth it for the speed, the control, and bringing your belongings and pets along. However, if you own a rare collector car and want to keep the miles low, just ask. We’ll tell you straight what makes the most sense.
Can I Ride Along?
Yes! Our Ride Along service lets you sit back as the passenger while our driver handles every mile. It’s a popular choice for seniors, anyone who doesn’t love long drives, and people who want to travel with their car and pets.
Can You Move My Pet Too?
Yes. With our Pet Transportation service, your pets can ride in their own vehicle with a driver focused on getting everyone there safely. No crates in a cargo hold, and no strangers’ trucks.
What Else Can You Move?
A lot more than cars. Our drivers also handle:
- RV transport
- Trucks towing trailers
- U-Haul moves
- Towing
- Fleet vehicles for businesses
In short, if it has wheels and a steering wheel, we can probably drive it there.
Who Hires a Personal Driver?
Our customers call us for all kinds of reasons:
- Long-distance moves: Fly to your new home and have your car meet you there.
- Military moves: One less thing to juggle during a relocation.
- College moves: Get your student’s car to campus without a cross-country road trip.
- Snowbirds: Check out our Snowbirds guide if you split the year between two homes.
- Out-of-state car purchases: Buy the car you want, and we’ll bring it home.
- Businesses: Move fleet vehicles without pulling your own team off the job.
Why Not Just Drive It Myself?
You could. But a cross-country drive often means several days off work, hotel nights, meals on the road, and then a flight back. Meanwhile, a professional driver handles all of it while you get on with your life.
What’s the Safest Way to Move a Car Across the Country?
There are four ways to do it, and each one has a different kind of risk:
- Drive it yourself. Long days, fatigue and unfamiliar roads, plus the wear on you.
- Open car carrier. Your car rides outside with several others, often passed from a broker to a carrier and sometimes through a terminal.
- Enclosed carrier. More protected from weather, but usually the same broker chain and pickup windows.
- A professional driver. One vetted, drug-screened person is responsible for your car from your driveway to the destination, and you can call them directly.
For most people, the safest choice is the one where a single trusted person is responsible for the car the whole way, with no handoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone drive my car across the country for me?
Yes. A professional driver can pick up your car and drive it door to door anywhere in the continental U.S. while you fly, drive another vehicle or ride along.
Is it better to drive my car across the country myself or hire someone?
Driving it yourself means several days off, hotels, meals and a flight back. Hiring a driver costs money too, but you get your time back and arrive rested. Many people find it’s worth it.
What’s the safest way to move a car across the country?
The safest option is usually one vetted driver who is responsible for the car start to finish, rather than a chain of brokers, carriers and terminals.
Can I hire someone to drive my car anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Professional Drivers drives cars, SUVs, trucks, RVs and rental moving trucks anywhere in the continental United States.
Ready to Hire Someone to Drive Your Car?
If you want your car picked up on your schedule, driven straight to your door, and handled by one professional the whole way, we’re here to help.
Professional Drivers is the fastest and safest way to move your vehicle. Call us today at (214) 444-7544 for a free quote.
