How to Move Across the Country for College

Plan what to pack 

Dorm rooms and student apartments can be small, so check the university’s housing website for room dimensions and furnishings as you decide what to pack for college. Make sure not to bring any prohibited items on campus (air fryers, candles, etc.). 

Also, keep these tips in mind: 

• Follow professional packing tips and loading advice to protect your things during transit. 

• If possible, wait to purchase heavy or bulky supplies like body wash, bottled water and laundry detergent after you’ve settled on campus. 

• Only pack what’s needed until the next school break to save space. You can swap out clothing during the time off. 

• Pack any weather-specific clothing you’ll need, like coats or rain boots. 

• Save space by packing items like pillows and comforters inside your laundry hamper. 

• Wait to pack your everyday essentials until moving week.  

1 to 2 weeks before the college move 

Verify move-in details 

Double-check the move-in details with the college or university housing office or the manager of your apartment complex. You don’t want to show up on the wrong date or time!  

Confirm moving company and travel itinerary 

Make sure the delivery of moving equipment and any personal travel arrangements are confirmed. 

Week of the move to campus 

Finish packing 

Pack your last-minute belongings (including any laundry you may have just washed) and label the boxes. It’s a good idea to pack a separate overnight bag with essentials for your first few days in case you don’t have time to unpack everything. Important documents and medications should travel with you. 

For any questions or concerns about college moving day, contact the campus housing office. 

Enjoy your last few days at home 

Take some time for self-care. Life is about to change, and you might have big feelings about leaving home. Before saying goodbye to family and friends, enjoy some activities together.  

Think about storage or return moving services 

We know you haven’t even moved in yet, but it’s never too early to plan for what to do with your things during school breaks. Most campus housing allows you to leave things in the room between the fall and spring semesters, but when the academic year ends, you must store or move stuff back home for the summer.  

If you plan to store your belongings, check with the housing office about on-campus options, or contact a local storage facility for an off-campus solution (some may offer student discounts). 

U-Pack can help transport everything back home! Book your return move between winter and spring break to ensure equipment availability. 

Common mistakes to avoid when moving to another state for college 

Avoid these don’ts for the easiest move to campus: 

• Don’t bring too many decorative items or things you won't use. (For example, if you don’t iron your clothing now, you’re unlikely to do so while in college. Save space and leave the iron and ironing board at home.) 

• Don’t forget to label your boxes to make unpacking easier. 

• Don’t skip reading your school's move-in instructions. 

• Don’t wait until the last minute to book movers and personal travel arrangements. 

Make your cross-country student move with U-Pack 

U-Pack has handled thousands of moves for college students since 1997. Whether you’ll be living in a college dorm or an apartment, U-Pack’s ReloCube® containers are a perfect fit. Each weather-resistant metal moving container holds up to one room of belongings. It fits into a regular parking space and has ground-level loading. 

An experienced driver will pick up the ReloCube and transport it to campus, so you’re not stuck driving a rental truck. You can also load or unload the Cube at a local service center to save money. 

Get a quote online or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. Enter or mention the code CAMPUS for a student discount! Let us know if you have questions about moving to an out-of-state college.