Heading off to college is an exhilarating time for many, and for most, it’s even more thrilling when they can bring a car along for the ride. The thought of driving that car to college for the first time can be frightening. Driving for a long, tiring journey can make you question whether the vehicle should even be taken along. Do not worry! College car transport is the best option for every student who wants to take their wheels to campus without the hassle.
Why shipping? To begin with, it saves you time and headaches that come with extended road journeys. By using student auto transport, you won’t have to worry about driving for hours or struggling to deal with things like flat tires or fuel shortages somewhere along the interstate. Car shipping to campus services will handle the whole trip for you and make sure the car is driven by professionals who are familiar with moving vehicles. All you have to do is sit back and relax as you make your way to campus in your own time. Shipping services even include
door-to-door transport so that they will bring your vehicle to your dorm or apartment. This blog explains ways to ship a car to college, tips to hire the right company, and how to save costs.
Why Ship a Car to College Instead of Driving It
For many students, car shipping to campus offers distinctive advantages that can ease this transition. Instead of embarking on a long journey that can be both tiring and tedious, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child’s vehicle will arrive safely without the fatigue associated with an extended drive.
Avoid long and tiring trips.
Long road trips can cause undue stress for both students and their families. That’s when you need to opt for car transport for students. It will ensure your vehicle arrives in excellent condition and that this service is more than worth your time and money. No one wants to experience mechanical issues, flat tires, or other vehicle troubles while on a long drive or moving to college with a car. By shipping your automobile, you eliminate the risk of unexpected roadside problems that might occur during the journey.
Perfect for out-of-state students
This option is especially ideal for out-of-state students who may be moving cross-country or to a different region altogether. For students who are unsure about their navigation or those who are responsible for planning time-consuming detours to visit family or friends, shipping a car may be an attractive choice. For busy students facing incoming exams or other significant life changes, shipping a vehicle is the correct choice as it opens up their schedules to focus on the things that matter.
How to decide?
Before contacting a car shipping company, many would-be customers may ask themselves, “Should I ship my car to college?” Choosing to ship a car may depend on distance, car condition, financial situation, and other factors. However, once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of shipping versus driving yourself and have decided to ship your car, it is only a matter of
contacting a company for an immediate quote to lock in your price for a hassle-free long-distance student car transport service.
How College Car Transport Works
Transferring your car when you move to college is an enormous but manageable experience. Knowing the process beforehand will help the process run smoothly. Here’s a rundown on how college car transport works.
Simple booking process
The first step is to request a quote for your college car transport needs. The easiest way to do this is to visit a transport company’s website or contact them directly. By providing them with the information they ask for—the details of your vehicle, including its make, model, and year, the pickup and delivery address —you’ll receive a quote that matches up with your calendar and expected shipping distance.
Armed with all of these details, the company will figure out a price for you. The cost will depend on distance and timing. Only after you’ve compared any quotes you’ve received and determined which time frame works for you should you choose an option and book your transport service.
Door-to-door service
When you’re transporting your vehicle to college, you can opt for this service. Door-to-door vehicle transport means that a transport professional will come directly to your home to pick up your vehicle. Once it’s loaded, it’ll be shipped to your college campus, where a driver will take you directly to your new front doors.
That way, you don’t have to drive your car to some far-off terminal to pick up an alternative one, nor do you need to pay someone to drive it to drop it off for you. It means you’re free to take care of things like relaxing, unwinding, and flying into your new campus without logistics hurdles.
Typical delivery windows and pickup days
Your delivery windows will vary depending on the distance that the transport company is shipping your vehicle. But typical delivery windows are anywhere from one to two calendar weeks. Then it’ll be time for pickup. On pickup day, a representative of the transport company will call and let you know the expected timeframe, and they’ll also make a call when they’re about 45 minutes away.
There’s also going to be an inspection performed with you and the driver present to note any scratches or dents in the vehicle to ensure it is delivered in the same condition it was picked up. Before you know it, your vehicle will arrive on your college campus, and you’ll be free to focus on your new college experience. That’s the beauty of student relocation car shipping service.
Choosing the Right Type of Transport for a Student Vehicle
You have two ways when it comes to car transport for students: open and enclosed carriers. Let’s learn more about these two services:
Enclosed transport
This method of transport is the right choice for those who have treasured vehicles like luxury or classic cars. With this choice of transport, the vehicle is loaded onto a trailer that has an enclosure on all four sides. This protects the vehicle from rain, snow, dirt, and debris from the road during transport. Though this method is usually more expensive than open transport, the extra peace of mind and security can be worth the expense.
Open transport
Open carrier transport is the preferred choice for student vehicle transportation, and for good reason. This method is far less expensive than the enclosed option, often up to 30% to 50% cheaper, which is well-suited to a college student’s budget. Since open carriers can carry multiple vehicles at the same time, students benefit from the economies of scale. This is very appealing with the limited budgets that many students have.
Which one is better: open or enclosed?
When it comes to choosing how to move your vehicle, there are a few essential elements to consider. Everyone’s situation is unique, but these are a few general principles to keep in mind. Vehicle valuation
If the automobile is worth under $25,000, usually the best transport option would be one featuring open transport. This option provides reliability and great value, which is excellent if you are moving a basic student vehicle. If the automobile value is over $30,000 or if you have sentimental attachments and want the highest protection, consider the enclosed carrier option for transport.
Locations
Many college campuses and urban areas have restrictions on oversized vehicles that can enter the campus, making it hard for larger enclosed trailers to get very close to your pickup and delivery location. Open transporters can more easily drive into those tight areas and find proper regions- and even spots- to load and unload your automobile. If your pickup or delivery location is in a restricted area with significant street restrictions, an open carrier may deliver you better value over the other options. Open transporters would also be able to unload and load directly into dorm areas, which would make it easier for students.
Cost Factors for Student Car Shipping
When it comes to moving a car to college, students and families often wonder what makes up the overall price of shipping a vehicle. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that can affect student car transport costs.
Factors related to cost
Many things can determine the overall cost of car shipping. The most common include:
- Mileage: The amount of distance between the load and destination will always be a factor; the longer the drive, the more fuel is needed, which directly leads to more labor costs.
- Type of vehicle: The vehicle being transported will always have something to do with the price; the price for shipping a sedan-sized car will differ from that of a truck or
SUV-sized vehicle. Bigger cars require different methods and equipment for shipping so that those factors can play into the overall price.
- Season: As is the case with many things, the car shipping industry has a peak and off-peak season. The prices can be higher during the peak seasons due to inflation caused by demand.
Common price indicators
On average, the price for student car transport from coast to coast can be anywhere from $500 to $1,500. This means that if you’re shipping a car from one of the eastern coastlines to one of the western coastlines, you can expect to pay between these ranges. However, this all depends on the factors mentioned above, but it puts families into the right ballpark range.
For example, if the trip is shorter or the vehicle is smaller, the price would fall into the lower half, but if you’re shipping something over long distances or a truck/SUV, then the cost can rise to the upper end. Knowing what to expect when it comes to the typical price allows families to set realistic expectations for what shipping can be.
Tips to save on cost
There are a few ways for someone moving a car to save a couple of dollars when it comes to student relocation car shipping.
- Group move: You can save on shipping costs by combining them through a group move. Getting shipped with other families allows the company to fill empty spots on its open-carrier, giving a reduced price while allowing the carrier providers the chance to bring in extra revenue.
- Book early: As is the case with many travel arrangements, the sooner the car shipping is booked, the better the chance of saving. Everyone should pay attention to special discounts that come up, as they can be another avenue to save money.
Preparing Your Car for Campus Transport
Shipping a car to college saves miles (or helps students move it). Use these auto shipping tips to guarantee your vehicle reaches college in good shape.
Vehicle inspection and cleaning tips
Clean the car inside and out before shipping. This procedure makes it easier to spot car damage during transit. Remove any items you’ll need at your new address, such as a phone charger, music auxiliary cable, or car emergency kit. Put these items in luggage or extra boxes. Take pictures of your car from different angles in case you need to file an insurance claim.
What can and can’t be left in the car
Transport companies usually allow up to 100 pounds of personal belongings in your trunk or rear cargo area, but verify this limit with your carrier. Pack items in boxes below window level to maintain driver visibility and prevent theft temptation.
Never leave valuable electronics, jewelry, cash, or important documents in your vehicle. Most transport insurance policies exclude personal belongings, leaving you liable for losses. Remove garage door openers, toll transponders, and parking passes that could grant unauthorized access to secure areas.
Documentation and campus logistics
Make sure that your car registration and insurance are up to date throughout the whole trip. To get a parking permit and learn how to move in, contact the parking services at your target school well in advance.
Find out what the rules are for delivering to campus, since many colleges and universities only allow large trucks to enter certain areas or at certain times. Talk to your transport company about the best place to deliver. Sometimes it’s easier to provide off-campus than to drive through tight university streets. If your car is delivered to a place off campus, be sure you have a backup way to get there.
Why Preowned Auto Logistics Is Ideal for College Moves
- Expertise that focuses on students: Preowned Auto Logistics specializes in student moves and is experienced in navigating tight academic schedules and school delivery rules.
- Safety and communication come first: With thoroughly vetted drivers and full insurance coverage, safety is prioritized. Their simple communication method provides real-time updates for students and parents.
- Flexibility in the academic schedule: PAL’s adaptable service incorporates various college calendars and flexible pickup and delivery times, ensuring timely transportation during finals, semester breaks, and new home moves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, car shipping makes college transportation easier in the following ways:
- Smart move: Don’t drive great distances. It will save you time and wear and tear on your car during hectic college transitions and orientations.
- Easy on the wallet: If you total up the prices of gas, hotels, meals, and the return flight, you’ll see that exporting your car is cheaper than driving it, and you won’t have to pay for any unforeseen repairs or depreciation from mileage.
What to do next
Don’t let moving to college be even more stressful because of transportation. Call today for your free, quick quote and learn how shipping can make your college move go from stressful to easy!