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The bottom line: Carvana buys cars online with a quick 1 to 3 day process from quote to payment. They work best for newer vehicles under five years old, though their pickup fees can run up to $600 depending on your location.
Driveway offers free pickup anywhere and instant bank transfers when they collect your car. However, the whole process takes 1 to 3 weeks, which is slower than they advertise.
We tested both services with six vehicles across 2025 and 2026. Results were mixed. Carvana offered up to $3,200 more for the Tesla and older vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Driveway offered up to $1,450 more for newer trucks and SUVs like the Ford F-150 and Toyota RAV4.
Your best choice depends on what you’re selling. Pick Carvana if you have an EV, an older vehicle with higher miles, or need your car gone fast. Pick Driveway if you have a newer truck or SUV, want free pickup, or need instant payment.
Neither service buys salvage title cars, vehicles over 20 years old, or cars with more than 180,000 miles.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
EV or Older Car? Carvana. Truck or SUV? Driveway.
Carvana offered up to $3,200 more for the Tesla. Driveway offered up to $1,450 more for the F-150 and RAV4.
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Carvana vs. Driveway Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
2026
2025
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 with 61.5k miles and clean title:
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ford F-150 (37k mi) | $38,800 | $38,800 | Tie |
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt (36k mi) | $19,200 | $18,200 | Carvana +$1,000 |
| 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee (97k mi) | $13,600 | $12,850 | Carvana +$750 |
2023 Ford F-150 with 37k miles and clean title:
2022 Chevrolet Bolt with 36k miles and clean title:
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 97k miles and clean title:
Carvana vs. Driveway: Detailed Comparison
Both services give you quotes that last 7 days. Carvana’s quote form takes about 2 minutes while Driveway’s takes around 3 minutes. Either way, you get a price right away without talking to anyone.
The biggest difference is speed. Carvana can pick up your car within 1 to 3 days of accepting their offer. The whole pickup takes about 20 minutes. Driveway’s process runs 1 to 3 weeks because their process involves multiple departments and more paperwork steps. If you’re selling an electric vehicle, Carvana’s faster timeline means you won’t wait as long to get your money.
Our tests showed a clear pattern. Carvana offered more for EVs and older vehicles with higher mileage. They offered $3,200 more for a 2018 Tesla Model 3 and $750 more for a 2020 Jeep with 97k miles. Driveway offered more for newer trucks and SUVs with lower miles, like $1,450 more for a 2022 Ford F-150.
Inspection works differently at each company. Carvana’s driver checks your car against CarFax and AutoCheck data right at pickup. If they find issues you didn’t mention, your price drops. Driveway uses AI to review your photos first, then does a final check at pickup. Both companies rarely change offers if you describe your car honestly.
Pickup fees are another key difference. Carvana charges $0 to $600 depending on your location, though dropping off at a vending machine is free. Driveway offers free pickup anywhere in the country. If you’re selling a financed car, both services can pay off your loan and send you the difference.
Carvana vs. Driveway: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car?
If you’re selling an EV or an older vehicle with higher miles, Carvana tends to offer more. They also finish the sale much faster if you need cash soon. Our tests showed them offering up to $3,200 more for a Tesla and $750 more for an older Jeep.
Driveway works better for newer trucks and SUVs in good condition. They offered $1,450 more for a 2022 Ford F-150 and $1,050 more for a 2021 RAV4. You’ll also save on pickup fees since Driveway picks up for free anywhere.
Neither service buys salvage title cars or vehicles that don’t run. Driveway also won’t buy cars over 20 years old or with more than 180,000 miles. If your car has these issues, check our guide on junk car buyers for better options.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Selling an EV or hybrid |
|
Offered $1,000 to $3,200 more for EVs in our tests |
| Need to sell fast |
|
1 to 3 day process vs 1 to 3 weeks for Driveway |
| Older car with high miles |
|
Offered $750 more for our 97k mile Jeep |
| Newer truck or SUV |
|
Offered $1,050 to $1,450 more for trucks and SUVs |
| Want free pickup |
|
Driveway offers free pickup anywhere vs $0 to $600 for Carvana |
| Need instant payment |
|
Offers instant bank transfers; Carvana takes 2 to 5 days for ACH |
| Want drop-off option |
|
Free drop-off at vending machine locations |
| Salvage title, over 20 years old, or 180k+ miles | Neither | Both pass on these vehicles |
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:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carvana or Driveway offer more money?
It depends on your car. In our tests, Carvana offered more for EVs (up to $3,200 more for a Tesla Model 3) and older vehicles with higher miles ($750 more for a 2020 Jeep with 97k miles).
Driveway offered more for newer trucks and SUVs (up to $1,450 more for a 2022 Ford F-150). Get quotes from both to find your best offer.
How long do Carvana and Driveway quotes last?
Both services give you 7 days to accept their offer. After that, you need to get a new quote. Market changes can affect your new price.
Which service is faster, Carvana or Driveway?
Carvana is much faster. They can pick up your car within 1 to 3 days, and the whole pickup takes about 20 minutes.
Driveway takes 1 to 3 weeks because their process involves multiple departments and more paperwork steps.
Do Carvana or Driveway change their offers at pickup?
Both services typically honor their original offer if your car matches what you described. Carvana checks your car against CarFax and AutoCheck data during their 20-minute inspection.
Driveway uses AI to review your photos first, then does a quick check at pickup. If you were honest about your car’s condition, your price should stay the same.
Which has better reviews, Carvana or Driveway?
Carvana has 4/5 on Trustpilot from 14,156 reviews.
Driveway has 4.3/5 from 4,358 reviews.
Common Carvana complaints involve customer service being hard to reach and pickup delays. Driveway complaints often mention the slow process and their document system losing paperwork.
How do Carvana and Driveway pay you?
Carvana gives you a printed check at pickup or sends an ACH transfer that takes 2 to 5 business days.
Driveway offers instant bank transfers using Real-Time Payments (RTP), so your money shows up within 30 minutes of completing the sale. If you need cash fast after pickup, Driveway’s payment is quicker.
Can Carvana and Driveway buy financed cars?
Yes, both services buy cars with outstanding loans. They pay off your lender directly and send you the difference. At Driveway, expect the process to take about a week longer when you have a loan.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car
Article Update History
In the 2026 update, we added fresh quotes for popular vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota RAV4 Prime. We also introduced a new comparison table that displays 2025 vs. 2026 pricing side by side for easier tracking. Finally, we refreshed the service details to include Driveway’s new instant payment option and the current range for Carvana’s pickup fees.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.