Nationwide CDL Driver Service
Semi Truck Driveaway Routes — Nationwide CDL Driver Service
Have your semi truck driven to its destination by a licensed, professional CDL driver. Our driveaway service eliminates trailers and loading equipment — a qualified driver picks up your running truck and delivers it door-to-door, anywhere in the continental United States. Faster delivery, lower cost per mile, and fully insured on every mile.
Select your route below for driveaway pricing, transit times, driver requirements, and a free quote form pre-filled for your specific lane.
What Is Semi Truck Driveaway Service?
Driveaway — sometimes called drive-away, truckaway, or truck driveaway — is a professional transportation service where a hired CDL driver physically drives your semi truck from pickup to delivery. Unlike trailer-based transport, your truck is not loaded onto another vehicle; it's driven on its own wheels by an experienced commercial driver who treats your equipment as their own.
The FMCSA defines driveaway-towaway operations as the transport of vehicles where the vehicle being transported is the commodity being delivered (49 CFR § 390.5). This classification provides specific regulatory advantages, including exemption from Electronic Logging Device (ELD) requirements under certain conditions.
The Driveaway Process: Step by Step
- STEP 1
Request a Quote
Send pickup, delivery, truck make/model, and preferred dates. A free, all-inclusive driveaway quote lands in minutes.
- STEP 2
Book Your Driveaway
Confirm the quote and pickup window. No upfront payment required.
- STEP 3
Driver Assignment
We assign a CDL-licensed, vetted driver near your pickup location. You receive the driver's credentials and contact info.
- STEP 4
Pickup & Inspection
The driver arrives, completes a documented pre-trip inspection with photos and written report, and obtains your authorization to depart.
- STEP 5
Direct Transit
The driver takes the most efficient route, complying with FMCSA Hours-of-Service. You receive status updates throughout the journey.
- STEP 6
Delivery & Sign-Off
At delivery, a final condition review is compared to pickup. You sign off, and the driveaway is complete.
Semi Truck Driveaway Cost Overview
Driveaway is typically the most affordable way to move a running semi truck. By eliminating trailer costs, loading and unloading fees, and oversize permits, the total price drops significantly versus trailer-based transport.
| Distance Tier | Typical Routes | Transit | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Haul (Under 750 mi) | AL→TX, LA→FL, AZ→TX, TN→FL | 1–2 days | $500 – $1,200 |
| Mid-Range (750–1,500 mi) | IL→TX, OH→FL, FL→TX, MI→TX | 2–4 days | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Long-Haul (1,500–2,200 mi) | TX→CA, GA→CA, WA→CA, OK→CA | 3–5 days | $1,800 – $3,200 |
| Cross-Country (2,200+ mi) | CA→NY, VA→CA, MN→CA, NC→CA | 5–7 days | $2,800 – $4,500 |
Ranges are planning estimates. Quotes are all-inclusive: driver compensation, fuel, liability & cargo insurance, driver return travel, and tolls. Final pricing depends on lane density, urgency, and season.
Why Driveaway Costs Less Than Transport
Trailer-based transport involves three cost centers that driveaway eliminates entirely: (1) the carrier truck and trailer operating cost, (2) loading and unloading with specialized equipment, and (3) oversize permits when a truck on a trailer exceeds standard height or width limits. With driveaway the only "equipment" is your own truck and the driver — dramatically simplifying logistics and reducing cost.
Driveaway Requirements: What Your Truck Needs
Driveaway service is exclusively for running, road-legal semi trucks. Your truck must meet these requirements before a driver can depart:
Truck Requirements
- Running condition: starts, drives, and stops under its own power.
- Road-legal status: valid registration/plates or dealer tags; current DOT inspection where required.
- Working lights: headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals operational.
- Functional brakes: service brakes and parking/emergency brakes meet DOT standards.
- Adequate tires: minimum 4/32" on steer, 2/32" on drive, no exposed cords.
- Minimum fuel: at least a quarter tank of diesel for departure.
- Clean windshield & mirrors: adequate visibility for safe driving.
Driver Qualifications
- Valid Class A CDL: required for all semi trucks exceeding 26,001 lbs GVWR.
- FMCSA compliance: current DOT medical card, clean CSA record, compliant drug/alcohol testing.
- Experience: minimum 2 years of Class 8 commercial driving.
- Background verified: full background check, driving record review, employment verification.
- Brand familiarity: drivers matched to trucks they know — Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, International, Western Star.
Driveaway vs. Transport: Which Is Right for You?
Choose Driveaway when…
- Your truck is running and road-legal
- Cost savings are the priority (20–40% less than trailer)
- Faster delivery matters
- Adding trip mileage to the odometer is acceptable
Choose Transport when…
- The truck is non-running or inoperable
- Zero odometer miles is required
- The truck is high-value and warranty/resale is critical
- No CDL driver access at origin
| Factor | Driveaway | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Method | CDL driver drives your truck | Truck loaded onto trailer |
| Miles added | Full trip mileage on odometer | Zero |
| Running required | Yes — must be road-legal | No — works for non-running |
| Typical cost | $1.00 – $2.50 per mile | $1.50 – $3.00 per mile |
| Transit time | Often 1–2 days faster | 1–10 days (based on distance) |
| Permits | None (standard CDL driving) | May require oversize permits |
| ELD requirement | Exempt for driveaway operations | Carrier's ELD on transport truck |
| Best for | Running trucks, budget, speed | Non-running, high-value, zero-mile |
Advantages of Semi Truck Driveaway
Lower Cost
Eliminates trailer costs, loading equipment, and oversize permits — often 20–40% less than trailer transport.
Faster Delivery
No loading/unloading, no multi-freight stops, no permit delays. Direct route to your destination.
No Height / Weight Restrictions
Truck is driven at its normal road height — no trailer-loaded height limits triggering permits.
ELD Exemption
FMCSA ELD exemption for driveaway-towaway operations, while maintaining full Hours-of-Service compliance.
Personalized Service
One dedicated driver from pickup to delivery, matched to your truck's brand and configuration.
Simpler Logistics
No trailer availability, no loading dock coordination, no special equipment. If it runs, it goes.
Trade-Offs to Consider
- Odometer miles: a 1,500-mile driveaway adds 1,500 miles to the odometer — may affect resale or warranty status.
- Normal wear: engine, tire, brake, and fluid wear are inherent to driving those distances.
- Running truck required: no driveaway option for non-running units — trailer transport only.
- Fuel consumption: at ~5–7 MPG and diesel around $3.50–$4.00/gal, fuel on a 1,500-mile trip is roughly $750–$1,200 (included in all-inclusive quotes).
Popular Semi Truck Driveaway Routes
Select a route for driveaway pricing, transit times, driver logistics, and a free instant quote form pre-filled for your lane.
Texas to California
I-10, I-20, I-40
Florida to Texas
I-10, I-75
California to New York
I-80, I-70, I-40, I-90
Ohio to Florida
I-75, I-77
Illinois to Texas
I-55, I-44, I-35
Georgia to California
I-20, I-10
Pennsylvania to Florida
I-95, I-81, I-75
Michigan to Texas
I-75, I-69, I-35
New York to Florida
I-95
North Carolina to California
I-40, I-20, I-10
Indiana to Texas
I-65, I-44, I-35
Tennessee to Florida
I-75, I-24
Arizona to Texas
I-10
Washington to California
I-5
New Jersey to Florida
I-95
Colorado to Texas
I-25, I-35
Virginia to California
I-64, I-40, I-10
Missouri to Florida
I-44, I-24, I-75
Wisconsin to Texas
I-94, I-39, I-35
Minnesota to California
I-90, I-80, I-15
Alabama to Texas
I-10, I-20
Oklahoma to California
I-40
Louisiana to Florida
I-10
Kentucky to Texas
I-65, I-40, I-30
Oregon to Texas
I-84, I-80, I-25, I-20
Don't see your route? We provide driveaway service between any two points in the continental U.S. Request a custom quote →
More Dedicated Driveaway Corridors
Additional state-to-state driveaway lanes with dedicated route guides, live pricing tables, and manufacturer-specific origin intelligence.
Georgia to Texas
I-20 / I-10 via Alabama & Mississippi
North Carolina to Florida
I-95 / I-77 / I-26 via South Carolina
North Carolina to Texas
I-40 / I-20 / I-30 via Tennessee & Arkansas
Oregon to California
I-5 through the Pacific Northwest corridor
South Carolina to Texas
I-20 / I-35 via Georgia & Alabama
Texas to Florida
I-10 / I-75 through the Gulf Coast
Virginia to Texas
I-81 / I-40 / I-30 via Tennessee & Arkansas
Washington to Texas
I-90 / I-25 / I-35 via Montana & Wyoming
Pennsylvania to Texas
I-76 / I-70 / I-40 / I-30 via Ohio & Indiana
FMCSA Regulatory Compliance for Driveaway Operations
Driveaway operations fall under specific FMCSA regulations that differ from standard freight hauling. Key items:
- Definition (49 CFR § 390.5): a driveaway-towaway operation is the transport of a vehicle where the vehicle being transported is the commodity.
- CDL requirement: Class 8 trucks over 26,001 lbs GVWR require a Class A CDL with appropriate endorsements.
- Hours of Service (49 CFR § 395.3): property-carrier HOS applies — 11 hours driving within a 14-hour window, then a 10-hour rest.
- ELD exemption: driveaway-towaway operations are exempt from ELD; paper logs or time records are permitted.
- Insurance: active FMCSA motor carrier authority with required minimum liability ($750,000 for general freight) plus cargo coverage for vehicle value.
- USDOT number: every driveaway operation runs under a registered USDOT number for federal safety tracking.
Who Uses Semi Truck Driveaway Service?
Truck Manufacturers
OEMs and assembly plants shipping new trucks from factory to dealerships and fleet buyers nationwide.
Dealerships
New and used truck dealers transferring inventory between locations or delivering purchases to buyers.
Fleet Operators
National carriers repositioning trucks between terminals based on seasonal freight demand or operational needs.
Auction Buyers
Individuals and businesses purchasing trucks at auction and needing delivery to their home base.
Owner-Operators
Independent truckers relocating their truck to a new operating area or returning from maintenance.
Leasing Companies
Lessors delivering or retrieving leased vehicles at the start or end of lease terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a semi truck driveaway service?+
A driveaway service is when a licensed, professional CDL driver picks up your semi truck and physically drives it from origin to destination. Instead of loading your truck onto a trailer, the driver gets behind the wheel and delivers it door-to-door over the road. Driveaway is only available for running, road-legal vehicles.
How much does semi truck driveaway cost?+
Driveaway costs typically range from $1.00 to $2.50 per mile — generally 20–40% lower than trailer transport. Short-haul routes start around $500–$600. Mid-range routes run $900–$2,000. Cross-country routes cost $2,800–$4,500. Pricing depends on distance, urgency, fuel, and driver availability. The trade-off is that your truck accumulates actual road miles.
Does the truck need to be running for driveaway service?+
Yes. Driveaway requires your semi truck to be running, road-legal, and mechanically sound. The truck must have valid registration, working lights, brakes, and tires, and must pass a basic DOT-level inspection. If your truck is non-running, trailer-based transport is the required alternative.
What CDL class is required for driveaway drivers?+
Driveaway drivers for Class 8 semi trucks must hold a valid Class A CDL, which permits operation of combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating exceeding 26,001 pounds. All drivers in our network are FMCSA-compliant, fully vetted, and experienced with all major semi truck brands.
Is driveaway faster than trailer transport?+
Generally yes. Driveaway eliminates loading/unloading and avoids stops for other freight. A dedicated driver moves only your truck, taking the most direct route. A 1,000-mile driveaway typically takes 2–3 days versus 3–5 days for trailer transport — while still complying with the Federal Hours-of-Service 11-hour driving cap.
Does driveaway add miles to my truck's odometer?+
Yes — this is the primary trade-off. Your truck accumulates the full trip mileage on its odometer, plus normal engine, tire, and brake wear. If zero-mileage transport is important for resale value or warranty, trailer-based transport is the better choice.
Are driveaway drivers exempt from ELD requirements?+
Yes. Under FMCSA regulations, drivers conducting driveaway-towaway operations — where the vehicle being driven is the commodity being delivered — are exempt from Electronic Logging Device requirements. They must still comply with Hours-of-Service rules and maintain paper logs or time records.
Is my semi truck insured during driveaway?+
Yes. All driveaway operations are covered by liability and cargo insurance under active FMCSA motor carrier authority for the entire trip. Certificates of insurance can be provided before departure, and some policies name the vehicle owner as a certificate holder for direct claims access.
What is the difference between driveaway and transport?+
Driveaway: a CDL driver drives your running truck to the destination — your truck gains mileage and wear, typically cheaper and faster. Transport: your truck is loaded onto a flatbed, step-deck, or lowboy trailer — zero miles added, no engine wear, works for non-running trucks, typically higher cost but preserves odometer and condition.
What types of semi trucks qualify for driveaway?+
Any running, road-legal Class 8 semi truck qualifies — day cabs, sleeper cabs, cab and chassis, and tractor-trailer combinations. All major brands accepted: Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, International, and Western Star. The truck must be mechanically sound with working brakes, lights, and tires.
Get pricing on any driveaway lane in minutes
Select your route above for instant pricing, or send origin, destination, truck type, and readiness — a specialist confirms CDL driver assignment and returns a written quote, usually within an hour. FMCSA licensed & insured. No upfront payment.
- Free, no-obligation route review.
- Insured FMCSA-authorized carrier network.
- Written quote with no surprise fees.
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