What Is a Driveaway? A Guide to Vehicle Relocation in Canada

Imagine you're moving from Ontario to a small town in Nova Scotia. You've booked the movers, packed most of your belongings, and figured out how you're getting to your new home. There's just one problem: your car still needs to make the journey, too.

Or perhaps you've spent the summer at your cottage and would rather not make another long drive back from Northern Ontario just to get your vehicle home before winter.

These are the kinds of situations where driveaway services in Canada can come in handy. Instead of making the journey yourself, you can arrange for a professional driver to drive your vehicle from its pickup location to an agreed destination.

A 10 to 20-hour drive is not only a long trip, but may require rest breaks or even an overnight stop. If your schedule is already packed, arranging a driveaway can give you more flexibility. You can make your own travel arrangements while your vehicle is driven separately.

Driveaway services, like Trusted Fleet and Vehicle Services, help customers arrange vehicle relocation between cities all overCanada. Here's what to know before deciding whether a driveaway is right for you.

What Is a Driveaway Service?

A driveaway service is a way to relocate a vehicle by having a professional driver drive it to its destination. Unlike vehicle shipping by truck, trailer or rail, the vehicle travels on its own wheels.

For example, say you've found the perfect Subaru at a registered dealership in Quebec, but you live in Belleville. Collecting it yourself could mean arranging time off, making a long journey and then driving all the way home. A driveaway service offers another option: arrange for the vehicle to be driven to your location instead.

Driveaway services can also be worth considering when comparing transportation methods. Rail transport may take seven to ten days once scheduling and transit are factored in, while a driveaway may offer a quicker turnaround, depending on the route and availability.

At TFVS, we arrange driveaway services from our Mississauga base, with potential pickup and delivery locations elsewhere in Canada depending on the route. Weather and road conditions can affect when a journey can take place, particularly during the winter months.

How Do Driveaway Services Work in Canada?

The process is relatively straightforward, although the details depend on your vehicle, route and preferred timing.

1. Request a quote.

Tell us where your vehicle needs to go, where it will be collected, and what kind of vehicle you're relocating. Your preferred timeframe is helpful, too. This gives us the information needed to assess your requirements. All of this information is easily filled out in our form here.

2. Confirm the arrangements.

Review the quote and discuss driver availability, timing, and any other questions before confirming your booking.

3. Prepare your vehicle.

Make sure the vehicle is roadworthy and ready for the journey. Confirm any documentation requirements, fuel or battery expectations, and how the keys will be handed over.

4. Arrange pickup and delivery.

Once everything is confirmed, the assigned driver collects your vehicle and drives it to the agreed destination. Delivery timing depends on the route, scheduling and road conditions.

For more information about the process and common questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

When Might You Need a Driveaway Service?

You don't have to be moving across the country to benefit from vehicle relocation. Sometimes, you simply have a car that needs to be somewhere else and a schedule that doesn't leave room for a long drive.

Moving Is Already Enough Work

Moving between cities or provinces comes with a long list of expenses, appointments and last-minute jobs. Let alone wrangling a family! Adding a lengthy drive to the list can make an already complicated process harder to coordinate.

If you're moving to another province, for example, you may need to organize movers, arrange accommodation along the way and decide how your family will travel. Having your vehicle driven separately is another option to consider.

It's also worth requesting a quote before ruling out a driveaway on cost alone.

Depending on your route and circumstances, the price may be more manageable than you expect when compared with the time, fuel, accommodation and other expenses involved in making the trip yourself.

Getting Your Car Out Before Winter

If you've spent the warmer months at a cottage, you might be ready to head home long before you're ready for another long drive. The same goes for anyone who wants to relocate their vehicle before winter weather makes travel more difficult.

A driveaway may help you arrange to have your vehicle moved without making the journey yourself. However, Canadian weather can be unpredictable. Snow, ice and severe storms may affect scheduling, so it's important to plan ahead and discuss your preferred dates with the provider.

Buying a Car That's Far From Home

Sometimes the car you want isn't at the dealership down the road. You might find the right model, price or trim at a registered dealer several hours away, or even in another province.

Before committing to a long round trip to collect it, consider how you'll get the vehicle home. A driveaway service may be an option, depending on the vehicle, route and service requirements.

Travelling for Seasonal Work

Imagine you're a contractor heading north for a weekend job. Flying might be the easiest way to get there, but you'll still need your vehicle at the other end to get between your accommodation and the job site.

In situations like this, arranging for your car to be driven separately may offer more flexibility than making the entire trip by road. The key is to coordinate the vehicle's arrival with your own travel plans and confirm that the route and timing are feasible.

Helping a Student Get Their Car to School

Your child is ready to head off to college or university, and you’re navigating the long journey with luggage, boxes and everything needed for their new home away from home. Getting a second vehicle to campus can add another layer of planning.

Depending on the route and availability, a driveaway may be worth exploring if the student needs their car at school but nobody has time to make the trip separately.

When You Have More Than One Vehicle

Moving a household with two cars can create a simple logistical problem: you can only drive one at a time. If one person is driving the moving truck or the family is travelling together, arranging transportation for the additional vehicle may help everything come together more easily.

What Should You Consider Before Booking a Driveaway?

Before arranging vehicle relocation in Canada, it's worth thinking through a few practical details.

• Distance and route: Check that the provider can accommodate both your pickup and delivery locations.

• Mileage: Your odometer reading will increase because the vehicle is driven to its destination. Ask about the expected distance.

• Weather and road conditions: Driveaway services are weather-dependent. Conditions on longer routes, particularly through Northern Ontario in winter, can affect availability and timing.

• Vehicle condition: Your car needs to be roadworthy and suitable for the planned trip. Discuss any mechanical issues before booking.

• Cost and timing: Request a quote. After receiving an estimate, you’ll have a better understanding of both the cost and time it will take.

• Personal belongings: Trusted Fleet and Vehicle Services allows you to leave your belongings in the car. For more details and questions, visit our FAQ page here.

Thinking through these details beforehand can help you choose the option that works best for your situation.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Driveaway

Once you've arranged your vehicle relocation, a little preparation can help make pickup easier.

• Check the vehicle's condition. Address known mechanical issues and arrange an inspection if needed.

• Inspect the tires. Check tire pressure, tread and suitability for the season.

• Check essential systems. Make sure the brakes, lights, battery, wipers, heating and defrosting systems work properly.

• Prepare for Canadian weather. Check winter tires, battery condition and winter windshield washer fluid when appropriate. Transport Canada offers winter driving preparation advice. 

• Confirm fuel or battery requirements. Ask what level is expected at pickup.

• Gather required documentation. Check what vehicle documents and insurance information need to be available.

• Take photos. Document the vehicle's exterior and interior before pickup.

• Confirm the handover. Have the keys ready and double-check the pickup location, contact details and access instructions.

  
  

Is a Driveaway Right for You?

A driveaway isn't necessarily the right choice for every journey. If you enjoy road trips and have plenty of time, driving yourself might be exactly what you want to do. If you're facing a packed moving schedule, coordinating seasonal travel or trying to get a vehicle across several provinces, having someone else make the drive may be a welcome alternative.

At Trusted Fleet & Vehicle Services, we help customers explore vehicle relocation options based on their vehicles, destinations and schedules. From our Mississauga base, we can discuss your requirements and whether your planned route can be accommodated.

If you have a vehicle that needs to get somewhere else in Canada, start by outlining your route and preferred timeframe. You may find that arranging a driveaway is a simpler option than making the journey yourself.

Have a vehicle to relocate? Visit our Get a Quote page to tell us where your vehicle needs to go and discuss your options.