The owners either don't want to drive or don't have the time, and having the car driven by a stranger is substantially less expensive than shipping it. How It Works Drive-away companies make their money by charging a service fee to the vehicle owners, so there is usually no fee charged to drivers. That means that in return for delivering the vehicle, the driver gets free transportation. Further, provided you deal with a reputable company, the vehicle is fully insured at little or no expense to you. Thus, your only expenses are fuel and incidentals along the way, which can be shared if you make the trip with a friend.
Most companies even offer the first tank of gasoline for free or provide a fuel allowance.
You and the company agree on the route and mileage allowance ahead of time, and you are expected to deliver the car to its owner by the date specified in your agreement. There are penalties and possible insurance consequences if you stray from the agreement. However, it is expected that you will want to do some sightseeing along the way, and the system is designed to allow that kind of flexibility. The total direct driving distance is approximately 2,900 miles. En route, you drive through some beautiful and diverse landscapes, and you can easily make diversions to places like Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, and Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho.