For dealers

Dealer car transport: single operable units, driven from Des Moines

Last updated: June 2026

When a single operable car needs to move, a dealer trade, an auction win, or a sold car going to a customer, SelectDrive drives it there. One vetted driver, drive-ready on its own wheels, with live GPS and a flat $0.75 per mile. No waiting for a trailer to fill, no terminal, no load board.

SelectDrive is owner-operated by Dan Ketelsen in the Des Moines metro. For the one car that does not justify a whole trailer slot, driveaway is usually faster and simpler than booking a spot on a car carrier and waiting for it to fill.

What dealers use us for

• Dealer-to-dealer trades. Move a single operable unit to or from another store, drive-ready.
• Auction-to-lot pickups. Drive an operable unit you bought at a wholesale auction (Manheim, ADESA) to your lot or your customer.
• Sold-car delivery. Deliver a sold car drive-ready to a customer in another city, with live GPS they can watch.
• Repositioning. Move a loaner, demo, or executive unit between locations.

Why a driver beats a trailer slot for one car

For a single unit, a car carrier means waiting for the trailer to fill, a terminal, and an assigned hauler you do not pick. A driveaway is one accountable person who drives your car directly, door to door, often faster, with live GPS the whole way and photo inspection at pickup and delivery. The price is flat and itemized, $0.75 per mile with a $500 minimum, fixed at booking.

The honest scope (so we do not waste your time)

SelectDrive is a driver, not a trailer operation. That means:

• Operable units only. The car has to start and drive safely. We do not move salvage or inoperable vehicles.
• One car per trip. For a full load of vehicles at once, a trailer carrier is the right tool, and we will tell you so.
• Route miles are added. The car is driven, so the trip distance goes on the odometer. For a unit you specifically do not want miles on, use an enclosed carrier instead.

If your move falls outside that, tell us anyway, we will point you to a reputable carrier who can do it. See also driveaway vs auto transport for when each is the right call.

Recurring moves

If your store moves single units regularly, we are glad to set up a simple working arrangement and discuss volume terms. We are based at the Des Moines I-80 and I-35 crossroads, so Midwest lanes are our strongest, see the Des Moines and Iowa hub.

Frequently asked questions

Can you move a car between dealerships?

Yes. SelectDrive drives single operable units dealer to dealer, drive-ready, with live GPS and a flat per-mile price. A vetted driver drives the car on its own wheels, so there is no waiting for a trailer to fill and no terminal handoff.

Do you pick up cars I buy at auction?

Yes, for operable units from wholesale auctions such as Manheim or ADESA. We drive the car from the auction to your lot or your customer. We do not move salvage or inoperable vehicles, because driveaway means the car is driven on its own wheels.

Can you move several vehicles at once?

No. SelectDrive is owner-operated and moves one operable car per trip, driven. For a full load of vehicles at once, a trailer carrier is the right tool, and we will say so. Our advantage is single units that do not justify a whole trailer slot.

How much does a single dealer move cost?

A flat $0.75 per mile with a $500 minimum, itemized and fixed at booking, with fuel, tolls, lodging, and the driver's travel shown up front. For recurring single-unit moves we are glad to discuss volume terms.