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The bottom line: CarMax lets you sell your car the same day at one of their 250+ stores. They also offer at-home pickup in most markets. The catch is they pay by check, and your bank may hold it for 5 to 10 business days before you can use the money.
Driveway buys your car online and picks it up from your home for free. They transfer money to your bank in about 30 minutes once the sale goes through. The downside is the whole process takes 1 to 3 weeks from start to finish.
We tested both with 3 vehicles in January 2026. Driveway offered more on 2 of 3 cars, with the biggest gap being $5,050 on a truck and $3,250 on an SUV. CarMax only came out ahead on one vehicle, and just by $400.
Going by our tests, Driveway is the better pick if you have a newer truck or SUV and can wait a few weeks. CarMax makes more sense if you need to sell today or prefer handling things face to face. Add Carvana to your list too, since their offers are often close to Driveway’s.
If your car is over 20 years old, has 180,000+ miles, or has a salvage title, skip both and try Peddle or Wheelzy instead.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before you pick one.
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CarMax vs. Driveway Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | $11,400 | $11,000 | CarMax +$400 |
| 2022 Ford F-150 XL | $18,400 | $23,450 | Driveway +$5,050 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | $22,400 | $25,650 | Driveway +$3,250 |
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles and clean title:
2022 Ford F-150 XL with 72.5k miles and clean title:
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with 61.5k miles and clean title:
CarMax vs. Driveway: Detailed Comparison
Both companies give you 7 days to decide on their offer. That’s enough time to shop around and compare with other online car buyers.
CarMax runs 250+ stores where you show up for an in-person inspection that takes 30 to 45 minutes. They also started offering at-home pickup in most markets in late 2025. Driveway works entirely online and sends a driver to your home to pick up the car.
The main differences come down to a few things:
- CarMax inspects your car in person for 30 to 45 minutes. Driveway uses AI photo analysis first, then a video call or 10 to 15 minute driver check at pickup.
- CarMax pays by check with a 5 to 10 day bank hold. Driveway transfers money to your bank account in about 30 minutes.
- CarMax can finish the same day. Driveway takes 1 to 3 weeks start to finish.
- Both handle cars with loans, though CarMax’s payoff can take up to 18 days.
In our January 2026 tests, Driveway offered more on 2 of 3 vehicles. The biggest gap was on the Ford F-150, where Driveway offered $5,050 more than CarMax. On the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Driveway was ahead by $3,250. CarMax only won on the Tesla Model 3, and just by $400.
CarMax’s in-person offers may come in lower than the online quote after inspection. Driveway is more likely to honor their original number as long as you described your car accurately. Neither company charges any fees, and both handle all DMV paperwork.
If you still have a loan on your car, both companies pay off the lender directly. Check our guide on how to sell a financed car for what to expect.
They have different limits on what they’ll buy. Driveway won’t touch cars over 20 years old or with 180,000+ miles. CarMax buys most cars but skips salvage titles, frame damage, or flood damage. You may also need to mail your title to Driveway with a prepaid label before they schedule pickup.
CarMax vs. Driveway: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
Driveway offered more than CarMax on 2 of 3 vehicles in our tests, with gaps of $3,250 and $5,050 on the truck and SUV. If you have a newer truck or SUV and can wait a few weeks, Driveway is the better pick here.
CarMax is the better pick when speed matters. You can walk in, get an inspection, and leave with a check the same day. Go with CarMax if you need to sell quickly or want to handle everything face to face.
Your car’s age and condition matter here. If it’s over 20 years old, past 180,000 miles, or has a salvage title, neither company will work well. Check our list of online junk car buyers if that’s your situation.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Need to sell today |
|
Finish in 30 minutes to 4 hours versus Driveway’s 1 to 3 week process |
| Want instant access to your money |
|
RTP transfer in about 30 minutes versus CarMax checks with 5 to 10 day bank hold |
| Selling a newer truck or SUV |
|
Offered $3,250 to $5,050 more than CarMax on the truck and SUV in our tests |
| Want your online quote honored |
|
Most sellers get the quoted price as long as the car matches the description |
| Prefer face-to-face transaction |
|
250+ physical locations versus Driveway’s online-only process |
| Need to sell a car with a loan | Either | Both handle loan payoffs directly with your lender |
| Want to sell from home |
|
Free home pickup nationwide versus CarMax at-home pickup in select markets only |
| Car is over 20 years old, 180k+ miles, or has salvage/frame/flood damage | Neither | Both focus on newer cars in decent shape. Try Peddle or Wheelzy instead. |
Best Alternatives
Best for Newer Cars
Buys newer, low-mileage cars
Offers pickup or free drop-off
Competitive trade-in value
Best for Used Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Instant offer and free pickup
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Want to compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
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Alternatives: Sites Like CarMax | Sites Like Driveway
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers more for cars, CarMax or Driveway?
In our January 2026 tests, Driveway offered more on 2 of 3 vehicles. The gaps were large on the truck and SUV, with Driveway ahead by $5,050 on the Ford F-150 and $3,250 on the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
CarMax offered $400 more on the Tesla Model 3, which was the only vehicle where it came out ahead. The offers we received suggest Driveway pays more for higher-value trucks and SUVs.
Keep in mind that CarMax’s in-person offer may come in lower than the online quote after inspection. Driveway is more likely to stick with their original number.
How long do CarMax and Driveway quotes last?
Both companies give you 7 days from when you get your quote. That’s enough time to get offers from other buyers and compare.
After 7 days, you can request a new quote from either company. The new amount may be different depending on market changes.
Which has better customer reviews, CarMax or Driveway?
Driveway has 4.3 stars from 4,285 reviews on Trustpilot. CarMax has 2 stars from 545 reviews on Trustpilot. Driveway also has 4.6 stars from 4,784 reviews on Google.
The most common CarMax complaints mention the final offer being lower than the online quote and long wait times at busy stores. For Driveway, sellers mention pickup delays, having to resubmit documents, and talking to different reps instead of one person.
Do CarMax or Driveway change their offers at pickup?
CarMax does a full 30 to 45 minute inspection when you arrive. Based on customer reviews, the final in-person offer may be lower than the online quote if the inspection finds issues the online form didn’t catch.
Driveway may do a video call to check your car before pickup. The driver also does a quick 10 to 15 minute check at your home when they arrive.
As long as your car matches what you described in the form, most sellers get the quoted price. They don’t dock for small scratches or normal wear. Keep in mind you may need to mail your title using a prepaid label before they schedule the pickup.
Which is faster, CarMax or Driveway?
CarMax is much faster for completing the sale. You can walk in and leave with a check in 30 minutes to 4 hours. With their express drop-off option, it can take under 30 minutes if you already have an accepted online offer.
Driveway takes 1 to 3 weeks from quote to payment. But once they approve the sale, their RTP system transfers money to your bank in about 30 minutes. So CarMax is faster overall, but Driveway gives you faster access to your money after the sale completes.
How do CarMax and Driveway pay sellers?
CarMax pays by company check. You have to deposit it at your bank, and most banks hold it for 5 to 10 business days before you can use all the money. You can’t cash it.
Driveway uses RTP (Real-Time Payments) or ACH transfer. With RTP, the money shows up in your bank account in about 30 minutes after you approve the sale. ACH takes a few business days.
What if I still owe money on my car?
Both companies handle loan payoffs. CarMax pays your lender directly, but it can take up to 18 days. Keep making your car payments until the loan shows as paid off to avoid credit issues.
Driveway also pays the lender first, then sends you any remaining balance. This adds about a week to their normal timeline.
Learn more: Selling a Car to Online Buyers (The Paperwork Checklist)
Which company is better for selling a car with mechanical issues?
Neither is a great choice for cars with major mechanical problems. Both prefer vehicles in good working condition and will either offer very low prices or decline cars with serious issues.
You’ll do better with companies that buy damaged and non-running vehicles like Peddle, Wheelzy, or CashForCars. These services buy cars for parts or repair, so they’re set up to handle mechanical problems.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car with Mechanical Problems
Article Update History
We pulled fresh quotes from CarMax and Driveway for three cars, checked their latest Trustpilot and Google ratings, and looked up BBB status. CarMax now offers at-home pickup in most markets, which is new since late 2025. Driveway's process hasn't changed.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.