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The bottom line: Driveo is a car buying service with 20 U.S. locations that aims to beat what CarMax and Carvana will pay. You drive to them, get a 30 to 45 minute inspection, and leave with a check the same day. The catch is you have to be near one of their locations, and quotes aren’t instant since a real person reviews your car first.
Driveway picks up your car from your home anywhere in the U.S. and handles everything online. They give you an instant quote and honor it about 90% of the time. However, the full process takes 1 to 3 weeks, and some sellers report having to resubmit documents when the system loses paperwork.
We tested both services with three clean title vehicles in January 2026. Results were mixed. Driveo offered $2,650 more for the Tesla Model 3, while Driveway offered $900 more for the Ford F-150 and $500 more for the Toyota RAV4. Neither company quoted on junk, salvage, or damaged cars.
Based on our tests, your car type and your schedule should drive the decision. Choose Driveo if you have an EV or want to negotiate for more money and can visit a location. Go with Driveway if you want home pickup and can wait a few weeks for the sale to finish.
Neither service works for junk cars, salvage titles, or vehicles with major damage.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
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Driveo vs. Driveway Offers
We requested quotes from both companies for several vehicles. Here’s what each one offered:
| Vehicle |
|
|
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | $13,650 | $11,000 | Driveo +$2,650 |
| 2022 Ford F-150 XL | $22,550 | $23,450 | Driveway +$900 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE | $25,150 | $25,650 | Driveway +$500 |
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:
Driveo vs. Driveway: Detailed Comparison
Driveo gives you 30 days to use your quote, and you get bonus cash if you sell within the first 10 days. Driveway only gives you 7 days. If you’re still shopping around or waiting to sell a financed car, Driveo’s longer window gives you more room to compare.
Driveo requires you to drive to one of their 20 locations for a 30 to 45 minute in-person inspection. Driveway sends a driver to your home for a 10 to 15 minute check. Driveo’s longer inspection means they evaluate your car more carefully, which can work for or against you depending on your car’s condition.
Driveo offered $13,650 for the Tesla Model 3, beating Driveway’s $11,000 by $2,650. But Driveway offered more for the Ford F-150 ($23,450 vs. $22,550) and the RAV4 ($25,650 vs. $25,150). If you’re selling a Tesla or another EV, it’s worth getting a Driveo quote since they offered quite a bit more on that one.
A few key differences stand out in how each company runs:
- Driveo lets you negotiate and will try to beat competitor offers you bring in. Driveway’s prices are firm.
- Driveo pays by business check the same day. Driveway uses instant bank transfers, but only after the 1 to 3 week process finishes.
- Driveo gives you a free Uber or Lyft home after the sale. Driveway picks up at your home so you never leave.
- Driveway honors about 90% of original quotes. Driveo may adjust after their in-person inspection finds issues.
Both services are free with no seller fees, and both handle loan payoffs. Driveo is limited to 20 locations in states like Texas, California, Arizona, and a few Midwest cities. Driveway operates nationwide through Lithia Motors’ 300+ dealership network, so it works no matter where you live.
Driveo vs. Driveway: Feature Comparison
Where to Sell Your Car
If you live near a Driveo location and want to get the sale done fast, they’re worth trying. You’ll walk out with a check the same day, and you can bring in competing quotes to negotiate a higher price. Driveo won big on the Tesla Model 3 in our tests, but Driveway offered more on the other two vehicles.
Driveway is the better pick if convenience matters more than squeezing out every dollar. Home pickup works anywhere in the country, and you never have to leave your home. Just be ready for the 1 to 3 week timeline.
Your car’s condition matters here. Driveway won’t touch cars over 20 years old or with more than 180,000 miles. Driveo has fewer restrictions, but they still focus on newer, well-maintained vehicles. If neither service works for your car, check other online car buyers for more options.
| Your Situation | Better Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Selling a Tesla or EV |
|
Driveo offered $2,650 more for the Tesla Model 3 in our tests |
| Need money today |
|
Driveo finishes in under an hour; Driveway takes 1 to 3 weeks |
| Want to negotiate for more |
|
Driveo tries to beat competitor offers; Driveway’s prices are firm |
| Don’t want to leave your home |
|
Driveway picks up from your home; Driveo requires a location visit |
| Selling a truck or SUV |
|
Driveway offered $500 to $900 more for the F-150 and RAV4 |
| Live far from a Driveo location |
|
Driveway operates nationwide; Driveo has only 20 locations |
| Want more time to decide |
|
Driveo quotes last 30 days; Driveway gives you only 7 days |
| Junk car, salvage title, or major damage | Neither | Both focus on newer clean title cars; try Peddle or CarBrain instead |
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Want to compare more options? Use our free tool to see who offers the most for your car:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Driveo or Driveway offer more money?
It depends on your car. In our January 2026 tests, Driveo offered $2,650 more for the Tesla Model 3. Driveway offered $900 more for the Ford F-150 and $500 more for the RAV4.
The pattern suggests Driveo may value EVs higher, while Driveway does slightly better on trucks and SUVs. Get quotes from both to compare for your specific vehicle.
How long does selling to Driveo vs. Driveway take?
Driveo finishes in under an hour from when you arrive at their location. That includes the 30 to 45 minute inspection, paperwork, and payment.
Driveway takes 1 to 3 weeks from start to finish. The actual pickup and inspection only take 10 to 15 minutes, but document submission and scheduling add time.
Do Driveo or Driveway change their offer at pickup?
Driveo may adjust the price after their in-person inspection if they find issues you didn’t mention. However, they let you negotiate and will try to beat competing offers you bring in.
Driveway honors their original quote about 90% of the time. They mainly adjust if the car doesn’t match your description. Their offers are firm, so there’s no room to negotiate up.
Which has better reviews, Driveo or Driveway?
Driveo has stronger ratings overall. They have 3.7 stars from 5 reviews on Trustpilot, 4.4 stars from 319 reviews on Google, and 4.9/5 on Yelp. Sellers praise their transparency and fast process.
Driveway has 4.3 stars from 4,324 reviews on Trustpilot and 4.6 stars from 4,823 reviews on Google. Neither company is BBB Accredited.
How long are Driveo and Driveway quotes valid?
Driveo quotes last 30 days. You also get bonus cash if you sell within the first 10 days. This gives you plenty of time to shop around.
Driveway quotes last 7 days. You’ll need to move faster if you want to compare offers from other buyers before your quote expires.
How do Driveo and Driveway pay you?
Driveo hands you a business check the same day you complete the sale. Most banks let you deposit it right away, though large checks may have a hold period. Evening appointments sometimes require picking up the check the next business day.
Driveway uses instant bank transfers that hit your account within 30 minutes of approval. They also offer standard ACH transfers. You only get paid after the full 1 to 3 week process finishes.
Can Driveo or Driveway buy a car with a loan?
Both handle loan payoffs. Driveo processes the payoff during your same-day visit and gives you any remaining balance. Driveway typically pays off your lender within 2 to 3 days after pickup, but the loan adds about a week to the total timeline.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car with a Loan
Can Driveo or Driveway buy cars with mechanical problems?
Driveo buys cars with mechanical issues but adjusts the offer based on repair costs. Be upfront about problems when you get your quote so the number stays close after inspection.
Driveway won’t buy cars with major damage or mechanical problems. They focus on vehicles with clean titles in reasonable condition. If your car has serious issues, try buyers like Peddle or CarBrain that specialize in damaged vehicles.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car with Mechanical Problems
Article Update History
We got new quotes from both services for three clean title vehicles, verified customer ratings on Trustpilot, Google, Yelp, and BBB, and confirmed how both services buy cars from sellers. Both companies still operate the same way: Driveo requires in-person visits to one of their 20 locations, and Driveway still picks up from your home nationwide. Driveway is still owned by Lithia Motors. No major changes to either service since last year.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.