Whether you are a freshman heading to an out-of-state school, a student transferring universities, or a parent arranging transport for your child's vehicle, shipping a car to or from college is more common than you might think. Here is everything you need to know.
When Students Need Car Shipping
- • Freshman move-in: Flying to a distant college but wanting a car on campus
- • Semester breaks: Bringing the car home for summer or winter break
- • Study abroad: Storing or shipping the car while overseas
- • Transfers: Moving to a new school in a different state
- • Graduation: Shipping the car to your first post-college city
- • Internships: Needing a car at a summer internship location far from school
Timing Around the Academic Calendar
Auto transport demand from college students follows a predictable pattern:
August (Fall Move-In)
- • High demand as students head to campus
- • Book by mid-July to ensure pickup before move-in week
- • Carriers fill up fast on popular routes to college towns
December (Winter Break)
- • Moderate demand for students bringing cars home
- • Book by early November
- • Shorter window makes timing more important
May (Summer Break)
- • High demand as students head home or to internship cities
- • Book by mid-April
- • Graduation adds to the demand on routes from college towns
January (Spring Semester)
- • Lower demand for returning students
- • Often the most affordable time to ship
- • Good carrier availability
How Much Does It Cost?
Student car shipping follows standard distance-based pricing:
- • Under 500 miles: $400 - $700
- • 500 - 1,000 miles: $600 - $1,000
- • 1,000 - 1,500 miles: $800 - $1,200
- • Coast to coast: $1,000 - $1,500
For detailed pricing, visit our [car shipping cost page](/car-shipping-cost).
Campus Logistics
Shipping to a college campus has unique logistical considerations:
Pickup/Delivery Location
- • Dorm parking lots may not be accessible to large carrier trucks
- • Campus police may need to be notified about a transport carrier on campus
- • Residential streets near campus are often the best pickup/delivery point
- • Some colleges have designated vehicle drop-off areas during move-in week
Who Meets the Carrier?
The student must be present (or designate someone) to:
- • Hand over or receive keys
- • Inspect the vehicle
- • Sign the Bill of Lading
If the student cannot be present, a parent, roommate, or friend can be designated as an authorized contact with a signed letter of authorization.
Tips for Students and Parents
For Students
1. Plan ahead because booking 2-3 weeks before your move date ensures better rates 2. Coordinate with your school about parking permits and vehicle registration requirements 3. Know your campus layout and identify a suitable pickup/delivery spot for a large truck 4. Remove valuables from the car. Dorm theft is common and personal items are not covered during transport 5. Follow our [preparation checklist](/blog/how-to-prepare-your-vehicle-for-transport) before the carrier arrives
For Parents
1. Book on behalf of your student because you can be the primary contact while the student handles pickup/delivery 2. Get insurance documentation since the carrier's cargo insurance covers the vehicle, but verify your personal auto policy covers your student driver at school 3. Budget for round trips because if you know the car will come home for summer, book both legs for potential savings 4. Consider the full cost of having a car at school (parking permit, insurance, gas) versus shipping costs
Driving vs Shipping: The Math
For a student going from New York to a school in Florida:
Driving:
- • Gas: $200 - $300
- • Hotels (1-2 nights): $150 - $300
- • Food: $50 - $100
- • Wear and tear: $100+
- • Time: 2-3 days of driving
- • Risk: Long solo drive for an inexperienced driver
- • Total: $500 - $800+ plus 2-3 days lost
Shipping:
- • Transport cost: $800 - $1,100
- • Flight for student: $150 - $300
- • Time: Fly in a few hours, car arrives separately
- • Total: $950 - $1,400 but saves 2-3 days and eliminates road risk
For longer distances, the cost gap narrows. For shorter routes (under 500 miles), driving usually makes more sense financially.
College Car Shipping FAQ
Q: Can a parent book and pay for the shipment? Yes. Parents commonly handle the booking and payment while the student is the pickup/delivery contact.
Q: What if my car is at school and I am flying home? A friend or roommate can hand off keys and sign the BOL on your behalf with written authorization.
Q: Does my dorm parking pass matter? Not for shipping, but you will need a valid parking pass once the car arrives on campus. Arrange this before your car arrives.
Q: What about a car with out-of-state plates? This is completely normal for college students. Most states do not require re-registration for students attending school in-state temporarily.
Get Started
Need to ship a car to or from college? Call State Wide Auto Transport at (855) 469-8090 or [get a free quote online](/quote). We work with hundreds of college students and their families every semester.