Driveaway vs Auto Transport
If you’re planning to move a vehicle across the country, you’ve likely searched for the safest, fastest, and most cost-effective option. Two of the most common choices are driveaway services and auto transport shipping, but they’re not the same thing.
At Car Driveaway, we specialize in personalized vehicle delivery handled by professional, licensed drivers. Unlike shipping carriers that load your car onto a trailer with multiple vehicles, our service puts one driver behind the wheel of your car, giving you real-time updates and direct, door-to-door convenience.
Understanding the difference between these two options helps you make the right choice for your vehicle, schedule, and budget. Let’s compare how each works.
What Is a Driveaway Service?
A driveaway service is a professional vehicle delivery method where a licensed and insured driver personally drives your car to its destination. It’s the simplest, most direct way to move a vehicle across the country without using trailers, terminals, or multiple carriers.
When you book with Car Driveaway, your assigned driver picks up your car at your home, office, or storage location and delivers it right to your destination. Each trip includes a pre-trip inspection, full insurance coverage, and real-time tracking updates.
This service is ideal for individuals or families relocating, seasonal travelers, and businesses managing multiple vehicles. Because your vehicle is driven individually, it avoids the risks of loading, unloading, and extended storage common with large transport companies.
One car. One driver. One route.
That’s the foundation of a true professional driveaway service.
What Is Auto Transport?
Auto transport, also known as car shipping, is the process of moving a vehicle on a large carrier or trailer with several other cars. Most transport companies use open or enclosed haulers that follow fixed routes between regional terminals.
While auto transport is a common choice for long-distance vehicle moves, it often involves multiple transfers, delayed timelines, and limited communication. Your car is loaded with others, stored at a holding terminal, and may not arrive for several days or weeks depending on scheduling and logistics.
Auto transport can be a convenient option if you don’t need your car right away or prefer not to have additional miles added to the odometer. However, it offers less flexibility and personal oversight compared to a driveaway service, where your car is handled individually by one licensed driver.
Auto transport focuses on volume.
Driveaway focuses on personal service.
✓ Licensed & Insured Professionals ✓ Nationwide Coverage ✓ Real-Time Updates
Quick & Easy Quote Form
Key Differences Between Driveaway and Auto Transport
Both driveaway and auto transport services move vehicles across long distances, but the experience and attention you receive couldn’t be more different. Here’s how they compare in the areas that matter most:
Delivery Method
Driveaway Service:
Your car is driven by a licensed, insured professional who focuses only on your vehicle. It travels directly from your starting point to your destination with no transfers, no terminals, and no waiting for other cars to load.
Auto Transport:
Your car is one of several loaded onto a multi-vehicle trailer. It follows preset carrier routes and delivery schedules that often prioritize efficiency over flexibility.
Driveaway means personalized delivery. Auto transport means production line logistics.
Pickup and Drop-Off
Driveaway Service:
We handle true door-to-door delivery. A driver arrives right at your home or office to collect your car and delivers it to the exact address you specify.
Auto Transport:
Most haulers require you to drop your vehicle off at a shipping terminal and retrieve it from another terminal when it arrives adding time, miles, and coordination.
With driveaway, your car never leaves professional hands.
Communication and Tracking
Driveaway Service:
You receive real-time GPS tracking and can communicate directly with your assigned driver. You always know where your car is and when it will arrive.
Auto Transport:
Communication is handled through dispatch systems, and updates are often limited or delayed. You may not hear anything until delivery is complete.
Driveaway keeps you informed every step of the way.
Timeline and Flexibility
Driveaway Service:
Scheduling is fast and adaptable. Your trip begins when your driver is ready, not when a carrier fills every space on a trailer.
Auto Transport:
Timelines depend on when the truck reaches capacity and the route is finalized. Weather, logistics, or added pickups can extend delivery by days or weeks.
Driveaway gives you control. Auto transport runs on its own clock.
Insurance and Handling
Driveaway Service:
Your car is covered under a clear, full-coverage policy for the entire trip. Because it’s never loaded or transferred, the risk of wear or damage is minimal.
Auto Transport:
Coverage levels vary by carrier. Cars are loaded, stacked, and secured together, which can increase risk during loading or unloading.
Driveaway offers accountability. Auto transport offers averages.
In short:
Driveaway service gives you personal attention, flexible scheduling, and full transparency.
Auto transport focuses on scale and speed - better for bulk moves than personal care.
Need a driver to handle your relocation? Visit our Hire a Driver for Long Distance page.
Why Many Choose Driveaway Instead
After comparing both options, most customers realize that driveaway service is the smarter, safer, and more transparent way to move a vehicle. It combines professional reliability with personal service, giving you full control from pickup to delivery.
Here’s why more people are turning to Car Driveaway every year:
Personal Service and Accountability
With driveaway, your vehicle isn’t just one of many. It’s assigned to a single, background-checked professional who handles every mile with care. You know exactly who’s driving your car, when they start, and when they’ll arrive.
It’s personal responsibility, not anonymous shipping.
Faster Scheduling and Direct Routes
You don’t wait for carriers to fill trailers or adjust routes. Your driver departs on your timeline and follows the safest, most efficient path to your destination. That means predictable arrival times and less downtime waiting for your car to arrive.
You decide when the journey begins, not the dispatcher.
Transparent Pricing
Our quotes are straightforward. There are no hidden terminal fees, fuel surcharges, or “handling” add-ons. You receive a detailed, route-based estimate before your trip begins, and what you see is what you pay.
Clarity builds confidence.
Real-Time Communication
From the moment your vehicle departs, you receive updates through GPS tracking and direct contact with your assigned driver. If plans change or you have questions, your driver and coordinator are only a call away.
You stay informed from start to finish.
Nationwide Reach, Local Attention
Car Driveaway operates across the continental United States from Florida to California, New York to Texas. But no matter how far your vehicle travels, the experience remains personal, precise, and fully insured.
Big-picture coverage, small-company care.
When Auto Transport Makes Sense
While a driveaway service offers the most personal and flexible experience, there are situations where auto transport may be a practical choice.
If you’re moving multiple vehicles at once, shipping an inoperable car, or simply prefer not to add mileage to your odometer, an auto transport carrier might be the right fit.
Large dealerships, auction houses, and fleet managers often use haulers to move groups of vehicles efficiently.
However, most individual owners, especially those relocating or traveling seasonally find that the convenience, transparency, and care of a driveaway service far outweigh the logistics of traditional shipping.
Auto transport is built for volume.
Driveaway is built for people.
How to Decide Which Option Is Best for You
The right vehicle delivery choice depends on your priorities: time, control, and peace of mind.
If you need your car transported quickly, safely, and without uncertainty, a professional driveaway service is the ideal solution. You’ll know your driver, track your car’s progress in real time, and receive direct delivery to your door.
Choose auto transport only if your vehicle can wait in a queue, you’re comfortable with terminal drop-offs, or you need to move several cars at once. For everyone else, especially individuals, families, and snowbirds, Car Driveaway offers a more reliable and personalized experience.
If your car matters to you, let someone who drives with care handle it from start to finish.
Learn how our Professional Driveaway Service protects your vehicle beyond standard shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driveaway vs Auto Transport
Driveaway means a professional driver personally drives your car to its destination, providing door-to-door service, real-time updates, and full insurance coverage.
Auto transport uses large carriers that ship multiple vehicles together on fixed schedules, often requiring terminal drop-offs and pickups.