Your Next Lyft Ride Could Be in the Wienermobile

We've all had those rideshare drivers: The ones that stand out as soon as they pull up. Maybe the car seems way too nice or is frighteningly dingy. Maybe the music is pumping or the interior lighting is over the top. But starting tomorrow, your Lyft XL ride may send your jaw dropping to the ground when the driver arrives in… the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

From August 25 to 27, Oscar Mayer and Lyft will be offering free Wienermobile trips in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta — which were chosen because they are "the nation's hottest rideshare cities." The brand says riders can simply request a Lyft XL and one of Oscar Mayer's Hotdoggers — the name given to those who drive the Wienermobile — may show up in a 27-foot hot dog on wheels instead. (Assuming it hasn't been pulled over on the way.)

And don't worry, that giant hot dog will still get you to where you're going. "Riders will enjoy the trip with music, neon lights, free shirts, hot dog masks and, of course, Weenie Whistles, all the way to their destination," the announcement states. Lyft says their app will alert people when the Wienermobile is in town so hold your ride-hailing excitement until the app tells you it's time to wish your car was an Oscar Mayer wiener.

A spokesperson clarified that riders can opt out of having Oscar Mayer as their chauffer; however, instead of a free ride, you'll just be charged for the trip in your "real" car just like everyone else. So come on. Do it. You have a perfectly valid excuse for being a little bit late!

"Lyft has been helping riders get back to the summer fun they missed in 2020, whether you're headed to a family picnic, BBQ with friends, or attending a sports game or concert," Ethan Eyler, Lyft's director of brand products, stated. "We're excited to hit the road with Oscar Mayer and surprise our riders with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate summer from inside the world-famous Wienermobile."

Oscar Mayer's associate marketing director Megan Lang agreed. "With the world as our canvas and meat as our medium, we want to do all we can to spark unexpected smiles wherever we go," she added.

This stunt is far from the first time the Wienermobile has been rolled out for unique purposes. In 2019, fans had the chance to rent out the giant dog on Airbnb. And last year, the Wienermobile was available for wedding proposals.