Shipping a Car to College: A Guide for Students and Parents

Having a car at school means grocery runs, internships, part-time jobs and trips home on your own schedule. Getting it there is another story, especially when campus is several states away. More families now ship a car to college instead of making a long road trip. Here's how college student car shipping works, when to book and how to get the car ready.

Ship vs. drive

Driving to campus can make sense for a short trip. For longer distances, shipping often wins:

• Safety: A young driver, an unfamiliar route and a packed car is a lot of stress for one long drive.
• Time: A cross-country drive can eat several days, plus a parent's return flight home.
• Wear and tear: Shipping keeps long highway miles off the car.
• Hidden costs: Fuel, hotels and meals add up on the road.

Many families fly in for move-in weekend and have the car delivered door-to-door near campus. Most use open auto transport, the most economical and widely available option.

Timing around move-in & breaks

The academic calendar drives demand. Late summer move-in, winter break and the end of the spring semester are busy times for students heading in the same direction.

• Fall move-in: Book a few weeks before move-in. Plan for the car to arrive a few days after you do, or ship it early to a family member or friend nearby.
• Winter break: If the car is coming home, book before finals week gets hectic.
• End of year: Spring is busy with graduations and snowbird returns. Book early if the car needs to come home for summer.
• Study abroad or internships: If the car will sit unused for a semester, shipping it home may be easier than leaving it on campus.

Transit depends on distance. Shorter regional trips may take just a few days, while coast-to-coast moves typically take about a week or more after pickup.

Campus delivery logistics

Campuses can be tricky for large carriers. Narrow streets, low trees, parking garages and restricted lots often mean the driver can't reach a dorm entrance. Plan ahead:

• Pick a nearby open meeting spot, such as a large retail parking lot, if the dorm isn't accessible
• Check campus parking rules and get a permit before the car arrives
• Name a contact who will be available, since class schedules change
• The person receiving the car must be an adult who can inspect it and sign the Bill of Lading (BOL)

If the student is a minor, a parent or other trusted adult should handle pickup and delivery.

Prep checklist

• Wash the car so existing scratches and dents are easy to see
• Take dated photos from every angle
• Remove personal items, including dorm supplies, since carriers generally ask that the car be empty
• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
• Check the battery, tires and for leaks
• Disable alarms and leave a working key

Our full guide to preparing your car for transport walks through each step.