College Student Car Shipping – How & When It Should be Done?

Last Updated on August 23, 2024

Getting a ride to college brings in a world full of easy trips to the library and great time spent with friends. However, we have yet to determine whether to hire college student car shipping services or drive the car to the campus. Would it perhaps be reasonable for you to drive your car to the campus? 

What about fast delivery to ensure that the consignment is delivered on campus or flexible transport dates to cut the transport cost of the consignment? 

All these things, and much more, are covered in this guide – so take 5-10 minutes to decide things yourself. 

The College Student Car Transport Demand is On The Rise:

Over the years, the need to get admission to the best education institutes in the US has grown, not only from other countries. However, students within the United States are moving internationally to scholarship in the Ivy League, as well as other renowned institutions, which include Howard University; American University; Dartmouth University; Yale University; John Hopkins University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and others. 

Via the surveys, a third of college-moving student who began college in 2020 left their parents’ house, the greatest percentage since 2005. 

Regarding the additional data regarding those states with the highest percentage of students’ outflow, the first place belongs to New Hampshire which is revealed to be 75%, Alaska – 74%, District of Columbia – 71%, Rhode Island – 69% and so on. Here are the top two states with the most brain drain: Here are the top two states with the most brain drain: 

This proves a point that students come from the four corners of the United States of America to take advantage of the superior professors and great infrastructure in Ivy League and other renowned learning institutions. 

This makes college car shipping an absolute necessity for all manner of auto shippers so as to afford students from remote states including Alaska, Hawaii and all over the United States a chance to comfortably transfer their vehicles with the specific auto shippers. 

Cost of College Car Transport:

The average distance traveled by students to campuses ranges from 293 miles to 1,000 miles, which requires a college car transport service. Driving to such great distances is not feasible for most students when they’re more focused on preparing for college. Therefore, many affordable car transportation services are available to ship a car to campuses in different states at varying rates.

In most cases, the cost of shipment will depend on the distance over which the shipment will take place. For example, it can cost between $800 and $1200 or even more to transport a car from one East Coast college to another West Coast college, while it can range from $300 to $600 to transport a car from one city to another within the same state or the region. Even a mere type of car also plays some role in defining the cost as the big cars like two or four-wheeler SUVs, trucks, and others are more costly than small cars like sedans or compacts. 

Shipping Distance	Sedan	SUV/Truck
500 miles	$500 – $550	$650 – $700
1,000 miles	$600 – $800	$750 – $950
2,500 miles	$800 – $1,100	$950 – $1,300

Another factor that determines the extent to which one will be charged for car shipping is the distance of shipment and the type of car to be shipped. Open-air car transportation is relatively cheaper than enclosed transportation, which, even though it offers extra security to the cars, costs between 30% and 40% more. 

Other college students have hired a transport truck and divided the transport cost with other students to lower the cost of shipping. 

It’s worth noting that many car shipping companies offer discounts for college students, military personnel, or repeat customers; this can get them cheap car shipping without sacrificing quality.

Hence, if you are pondering, ‘How can I ship my car on the cheap? ‘then querying the transporter for price cuts to transport a car to campus may help trim the asking price down a little bit.

5 Key Benefits to Ship a Car to Any Campus (Why Does it Make Sense to Have Your Car on Campus):

Having a car on campus as a college student is something that gives numerous benefits that greatly increase the total college experience. From the option of self-reliance and access to off-campus facilities to freedom from dependence on public transport and possible long-term gains in terms of cost, it may be noted that for many students, shipping a vehicle to college is a decision well taken. Here is a list of five advantages derived from the possession of a car in a university setting.

1. Increased Independence and Freedom

As much as car possession moderates your movement, it also opens up many opportunities and grants you an absurd level of freedom when your campus is your home. There’s no need to worry about when the next bus will be coming, or worse, which areas of town are inaccessible simply because they’re too far to walk to. 

The freedom allows you to visit out-of-the-way places in the local area, attend events in other cities, drive anywhere, and stay in touch with friends and family. 

You get the flexibly to engage in activities you can not do near your college, and it adds a level of adventure while in college; thus, memorable college experiences. 

2. Easy Access to Off-Campus Opportunities

There are lots of valuable experiences that are out of the campus, with a car one gets more possibilities. 

You may get internships or part time employment in other towns, engage in volunteerism, attend business and career fairs in other cities, and even consider doing research in other universities. 

This can be advantageous for you in competitive fields, make your resume look of higher value, and let you be more involved with your major interests and future occupations. 

3. Convenience for Commuting and Running Errands

Having a car turns the daily activities of college life to be very easy to achieve and accomplish. You can directly drive to classes, effectively plan for grocery shopping and carry around large objects such as books and other items needed in the dorm. 

Rush chores such as going to the doctor or the bank are barriers to your day as they were before. It is useful in helping friends and building ‘social capital’ by offering a lift or helping with a move and thus is a valued member of the college community. 

4. Enhanced Safety for Late-Night Travel

Individual safety is paramount, more so given that response is likely to happen at odd hours of the day. Your car will enable you save on the dangers of walking alone at night or waiting at some isolated bus stops after late study times or events. 

That is if you are like some of us who find themselves in a quandary on how to get home safely after social functions especially when other means such as ridesharing are inconsequent and dangerous. 

It also increases the safety of being able to take friends home and creates that community vibe of friends looking out for friends on campus. 

5. Potential Cost Savings in the Long Run

This is actually very true because even though owning a car comes with certain expenses in the initial few months or years, the same will prove cheaper in the long run as lumpsum amounts of money will not have to be used on other methods of transport such as taxis. Elimination of costly services such as on-demand car-hailing services, cheaper food options than those sold on campuses, and doing away with the costly renting of cars, for instance. By sharing your car with your friends, you will have some extra money. 

Further, you can occupy potentially more cheap off-campus accomodation, and bring your things with you when you are visiting home so as not to pay as much for shipment. 

Should You Hire College Student Car Transport or Drive It Yourself?

As a college student, the decision to hire a professional college student car transport service or drive the vehicle yourself can significantly impact several things. Let’s discuss them below:

Costs Comparison: Professional Service vs. DIY

The costs of transport of a car to any campuses may also differ depending on distance, size of the car, the charges tat the company uses and any extra services such as express or fast car transportation. 

On the other hand, Driving means expenses like, Fuel cost, damage cost, and the cost of repair. If you plan on self-driving, one should devise estimates of costs and compare them with college car transport service quotes obtained from a number of providers. 

Factor	Professional Service	DIY Driving
Transportation Costs	$500 – $800 (500-1,000 miles)	$50-100 on Fuel (500-1,000 miles)
Food & Accommodation	None	$100 to $200 (for a 600-1,000 miles journey)
Wear & Tear	None	$0.73/mile ($365 to $730)
Total Estimated Cost	$500 – $800	$515 to $1,030

If you find yourself asking can my college ship my car, then the answer is yes. There are cases when colleges may have connections with auto transporters and thus try to negotiate with them to provide lower prices to their students. However, it could be possible that you will have to affirm that form your college administration.

Time and Convenience Factors

Hiring a professional college student car transport service saves time and is a convenient option, as they quickly handle the entire logistics and move your vehicle to your campus. This allows you to focus on other important aspects of your college experience. Alternatively, driving the car may take longer and require more planning, but scheduling and personal preferences could offer more flexibility.

● Professional service: Faster and more convenient, with the transport company handling all logistics

● DIY driving: Potentially longer travel time but more flexibility in scheduling and personal preferences

Safety Considerations for Long-Distance Drives

Driving for long distances involves a lot of strain on our bodies and brains, and college students require more time on the road experiencing long distances. 

Keeping your car in the hands of a professional college car shipping service provider can easily avoid the dangers of fatigue, distracted driving, or other factors of the journey. 

While self-driving the car, one might be exposed to these challenges that may affect his/her health and the safety of the car. 

Vehicle Wear and Tear Implications

Using a car for extended periods on the road also puts a lot of strain on the vehicle’s components thereby causing faster wearing. Here AAA calculates wear and tear costs. This may lead to more regular checks that may demand repair and maintenance which may be expensive to most college students. 

Choosing a college car shipping service can be of advantage because the car is not exposed to multiple drivers and dusty roads and thus avoid extra expenses whenever you have to use the car. 

Stress and Logistics Management

Transporting a car to campus takes work, especially when juggling other college responsibilities. Hiring a professional college student car transport service can significantly alleviate the stress and logistics involved, allowing you to focus on your academic and social pursuits.

On the other hand, handling the transportation yourself may add additional burdens to your already busy schedule.

How To Prepare Your Vehicle For College Car Shipping?

Mechanical preparation of your car for college car shipping is very important in order to avoid inconveniences during the freight. This means that anyone who needs to transport their car to a university at any university distant or just across the states, needs to follow a structured logistics approach so that their vehicle is protected all through and the entire process made much easier. Here are the seven steps that you must follow to get your car ready for the dreadful journey to college, at least that is what I have always believed. 

Clean Your Car Inside and Out

First step when preparing the car is to clean it, inside as well as outside. Cleaning the exterior surface of the transportation vehicle will enable the company conducting the transportation to conduct a thorough inspection to detect the existing damages. 

Likewise, cleaning the interiors will remove any personal belongings that may be used and later misplaced while shipping. 

Document Existing Damage

Before going ahead, spare some time and take your time to scan through your automobile and note down any existing prior damages to the automobile, such as scratches, dents, or dings. 

They are particularly useful on occasions where there may have been losses or damages as the product passes through the stages of transportation and delivery. Also use a camera to photograph the areas affected in clear paper and ensure that the pictures are taken at a certain date to act as an additional proof. 

Remove Personal Items and Valuables

When preparing for auto transport, ensure you empty all your belongings from your vehicle so that you do not leave your property with the shipping company. 

This includes the electronics, documents, sentimental and valuable personal belongings amongst others. Leaving may lead to theft or destruction of items which are left and kept in a car during transit. 

Check and Service Mechanical Issues

Have your car serviced by a reputable mechanic to ensure it is in good operating condition. This may involve checking the oil level with the dipstick, showing that the oil level is on the minimum and maximum mark, as well as any other mechanical or electrical system that may have been damaged during shipping. Neglecting these may lead to further complications, but solving them when they are not complex will help.

Disable Alarm Systems and Toll Passes

Disable any alarm systems or toll passes connected to your vehicle. This will prevent false alarms or unexpected charges during the shipping process.

Remove any toll tags or transponders and cancel any related subscriptions or accounts.

Ensure Proper Tire Inflation

When sending your automobile for shipping, ensure that the four tires are inflated to the appropriate PSI (30 to 32 PSI). This will help protect the tires during transportation and ensure that they are very smooth when delivered to your college facility. 

Coordinate Pickup/Drop-Off with Academic Calendar

Coordinate the pickup and drop-off of your vehicle with your academic calendar. This will help you avoid any conflicts or delays in accessing your car when needed most, such as at the beginning or end of the semester. Communicate closely with the shipping company to ensure a seamless transition.

Don’t Pack Essential Dorm Items Inside The Car:

Shipping can sometimes experience delays or unexpected issues, potentially leaving you without crucial belongings when you arrive on campus. Instead, bring essential items separately or have them shipped directly to your dorm.

This ensures immediate access to necessities like bedding, toiletries, and important documents, even if your car arrives later than anticipated.

Provide Keys and Sign Bill of Lading (BoL):

Shipping companies may require your original set of keys, which you should hand in before allowing your vehicle to be shipped. This allows them to load and unload your car safely. Also, do not forget to review and endorse the Bill of Lading (BoL). 

This paper is signed between you and the shipping company whereby you agree to provide the company with different ships. It gives details of the state of your vehicle at pick up and the agreed to and planned services. 

Make a copy of the signed BoL for your personal use because you may need it should there be some clarifications or dispute regarding the items delivered. 

How to Get Cheap Car Shipping to Campus?

Transporting your car to the college as a college student is another expense you will likely encounter in your college years. 

Luckily, there are a number of tactful ways that can be adopted to ensure that cheap shipping services are booked and lots of money is saved. Here are six practical tips to help you get the best deal: Here are six practical tips to help you get the best deal: 

Compare Multiple Shipping Companies

Do not accept the car shipping quote you get the first time. Spend time on the required research and compare the different companies’ automobile shipping services. 

In this way, you will be able to name car transportation services that are most efficient in terms of costs. 

Choose Open Transport Over Enclosed

There is always a perceived notion that auto shipping in an enclosed trailer is safer than open trailer auto shipping but the truth is that in most cases you can find yourself saving a great deal of cash with an open transport. Open transport, as is expected, is less costly and, therefore, suitable for most college students’ car shipping costs. 

 ● The degree of protection that open transport offers is normally 30-40% cheaper than closed. 

 ● Many college students have shifted to open transport because they are relatively cheaper.

Consider Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping

However, if you do not need door-to-door door delivery, terminal-to-terminal vehicle shipping service will be cheaper. This implies that the driver has to leave the car at a designated station near your start point, and you hire the car from another station, preferably near the college. Terminal to terminal is usually slightly cheaper than door-to-door, about 10-15% cheaper. This is most appropriate for those students who do not often encounter difficulties in transferring their car from one terminal to the other.

Look for Student Discounts and Promotions

Quite a few auto transport companies provide various types of discounts and promotions to college students. When seeking a quotation, you may enquire about the availability of student or university car shipping promos. Sometimes, you may make very low-priced shipping services without compromising on quality.

Share a Transport Truck with Other Students

If you know other students who need to ship a car to the same campus, consider coordinating with them to share a transport truck. This can significantly reduce the per-vehicle cost, providing all of you a relatively cheap car shipping.

Opt for Flexible Delivery Dates

Being flexible with your car shipping delivery schedule can also help you save money, but remember you’d have to sacrifice fast shipping. Transport companies often have cheaper prices for people who can accommodate more flexible pickup and drop-off times.

When Does it Make Sense Not to Get College Vehicle Shipping?

Although getting a car shipped to campus proves convenient to many college students, there are certain situations where it is not the most advisable or economical. It is now possible to consider scenarios in which the absence of college car shipping appears logical.

If You’re Only Attending College for a Short Time

Should you be a College student who will only transport your car to campus and back home within some limited working terms, such as a semester, then the cost implications, together with the stress associated with moving your car from point A to B, are perhaps out of the question. 

In a similar vein, instead of owning a car, you might use ride-sharing, public transport or borrow someone else’s car occasionally. 

This can be more economical given that one may not need to own a car, especially when the time spent in college is relatively short. 

When Ridesharing Services are Abundant and Affordable

Certain college campuses are found in busy cities with many ridesharing services like Uber, Lyft, taxis, and many others. 

If these transportation alternatives are feasible and inexpensive within the locality of your college, then a shipment of cars may not be necessary because ridesharing is occasionally available. 

This can spare you from paying the price of shipping cars and the subsequent costs, such as insurance and repair charges. 

● Many college towns boast about a flexible supply of ridesharing services. 

● Ridesharing operating costs than the costs of owning a car 

● Ease of availability of transport on call; hence, no need to own a car

When Your College is Within Driving Distance

If your college is not that far from your home you may drive to your college as often as you want instead of paying for car shipping to college. 

This could be the case if your school is less than 100miles from your current school or place of work so that one can be able to travel back and forth for class without spending to much time and fuel.

How Do College Students Get Around Without a Car?

One has to remember that all college students are not in a position, or for that matter, would like to be in a position where they can or need to bring their car with them to the college. However, below are some of the achievable, flexible transportation approaches that students can use to guarantee that they comfortably make their college experience without a car.

Public Transportation

Most colleges and universities are situated in a way that makes them easily accessible by using either the local or regional bus services, railways, or even the subway. These cost-efficient solutions can help students get to campus, local facilities and services, and other off-campus activities. 

Nevertheless, not all those attending classes can be able to have a fixed schedule of public transit or even the desired routes. 

Pros of Public Transportation	Cons of Public Transportation
● Affordable fares● Environmentally friendly● Reduces traffic and parking congestion	● Limited schedules and routes● Potential for crowding and delays● Reliance on fixed timetables

Ridesharing Services

Apps like Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services can provide college students with on-demand transportation for short trips or commutes. These ridesharing options offer convenience and flexibility, but the costs can quickly increase, especially for frequent use.

1. Pros of Ridesharing: Convenience, flexibility, safety, and potential cost-sharing with other students
2. Cons of Ridesharing: Higher per-trip costs, surge pricing during peak hours, and potential for availability issues

Bike-Sharing Programs

Many college campuses now offer bike-sharing programs, allowing students to rent bicycles for short-term use. These programs promote sustainability, physical activity, and cost-effective transportation.

However, weather conditions, hilly terrain, and the need to plan for return trips can be drawbacks to relying solely on bike-sharing.

Walking

For students attending colleges with compact, walkable campuses, simply putting one foot in front of the other can be a viable transportation option.

Walking is free, environmentally friendly, and can provide physical and mental health benefits. The main challenge is the time and effort required, especially for longer distances or inclement weather.

Can You Put Your Luggage in The Vehicle When Getting Student Car Shipping?

If you are planning on shipping your car with you when going to college, you may be curious to know if it is possible to pack your personal effects inside the car. The good news is most car shipping carriers permit you to transport personal belongs, although they cannot exceed 100 pounds or so. 

Still, to ascertain the rules and regulations that govern the company you choose to ship with, it’s advisable to call the particular company. Certain carriers may set a smaller carrying capacity than others or may demand that the luggage remains in the boot or the rear seats. 

In any case, it is always safe and advisable to liaise with the carrier and act accordingly to their directives to ensure your vehicle and other personal belongs are delivered a smooth transport process. 

University Car Transport Can Work Wonders For Medium-Long Distance Shipping:

This is because the entire process of getting the car to the campus is as minimally intervening as possible, which makes it preferred by most college students. They offer fast shipment, so you will not arrive late, and more time will be spent preparing for the class. 

In addition, it is safer because sometimes you can break and your car may develop mechanical problems when you are in the middle of nowhere and yet you have classes to attend the next morning. 

However, it is recommended to approach several car shippers and get their quotes to secure the best deal in the market.