Should I bring my car to college? The Pros and Cons

Are you wondering, Should I bring my car to college? Will I need my car at college?

These are questions that college students frequently ask themselves, whether as first-year college students or returning college students. Having a car in college can be a major convenience or a huge hassle—or both at the same time! 

The question of whether you need a car at college depends largely on your college and your personal needs. So there’s no simple answer to whether or not you should have a car in college. 

The college journey is often a transformative and pivotal period in a young adult’s life, marked by academic pursuits, newfound friendships, and a sense of independence. 

College-bound students naturally wonder, should they take their car to campus? This simple question carries significant implications that can shape the college experience.

It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of having a car on campus before deciding to bring your car to college. This comprehensive guide to having a car at college will discuss everything you should think about before deciding whether you should or should not bring your car to campus.

Whether you’re about to go to college for the first time or you’re a returning student weighing your transportation options, this post will help you make an informed decision about having a car in college, so you can make the right choice for your needs and lifestyle. 

Are you allowed to have a car on campus?

The first question you have to answer is: Can you have a car at college? Will your college allow you to have a car on campus?

Some colleges do not allow first-year students to have a car on campus. Colleges that prohibit first-year students from having a car on campus usually do so because either:

1. The college wants to encourage freshman students to stay on campus.

The college suspects that having access to cars would mean that first-year students would go home more often and not be as involved in campus life. 

2. There is limited parking on campus.

Restricting the number of cars on campus is necessary due to available parking spaces. 

Each college has its own rules about whether you can have a car on campus. 

Look at your college’s website to find the answers to the following questions:

1. Are first-year students allowed to have a car on campus?
2. Are sophomores, juniors, and seniors allowed to bring a car to campus?
3. Is there guaranteed freshman parking?
4. Where are you allowed to park a car on campus?
5. What is the cost of a parking permit on campus? 
6. Are there limited numbers of parking passes available? 
7. If you aren’t allowed to have a car on campus, are exceptions ever granted? If so, for what reasons?

These are important questions to answer before moving forward with deciding whether you should bring a car to college. 

Do you need a car for college?

Before deciding to bring a car to college, you’ll need to think about if you even need a car at college. 

Most US residential colleges provide everything their students need on campus or know that students can find what they’ll need a short walk from campus. 

For example, college campuses usually have a pharmacy, a store with necessary items like laundry detergent, and a shop with snacks and drinks. 

Dorms, student centers, athletic facilities and academic buildings are all within walking distance from each other.

So a car isn’t usually necessary for most college students, strictly speaking. 

However, there are some other things to consider when deciding if you want to bring a car to college:

College setting

Is your college in an urban, suburban or rural setting? In urban areas, public transportation is often readily available and more practical than having a car.

Generally speaking, colleges in urban areas prohibit or discourage students from bringing their cars to campus. And in cities, parking tends to be very expensive. 

In rural areas, a car might make running errands and getting off campus easier, but your college may also provide a shuttle service. 

If you’ll be attending college on an urban campus in New York City or San Francisco, you do not need a car. If you’ll be attending college in a rural or suburban location, you might find a car to be helpful or even necessary. 

Campus Location

Will you be close enough to home that you’ll drive home for holidays? Or will you always fly? Is it possible to buy a train ticket or use a bus service instead?

Independence

Do you have a personal reason for needing a car?

Do you need to attend religious services off campus?

Will you need a car to get to doctors’ appointments?

Do you participate in extracurricular activities that will require you to have your own transportation? 

Are you going to be working or pursue an internship that will require you to drive? 

Other transportation options

Does your college town have public transportation? Or does your college have a shuttle system? 

Can you get where you need to go by biking or cycling? 

Benefits of having a car on campus

1. Easier to live off campus

If you will be living off campus, having a car might make off-campus living easier. 

With a car, you’ll be able to transport furnishings, groceries, and other household items you need in your off-campus apartment. 

Having a car could allow you to live farther from campus and potentially save money on housing. (Be sure to check the price of parking on campus for student commuters!)

2. Getting to work or an internship

If you plan to work or go to an internship off campus, having your car can make your commute significantly easier and faster.

Going to work at an off-campus job or an internship in your car may be faster than using public transportation. 

3. Grocery savings

If you don’t have a meal plan, you’ll have to grocery shop! Being able to go grocery shopping at the grocery of your choice, because you have a car, will allow you to go to the grocery store with the best sales or overall best prices. 

Also, transporting your groceries in your car will save you from lugging heavy bags back from the grocery store. 

4. Save on other shopping

Having a car at college will also make it easier for you to buy clothing, personal items, or other necessities.

You’ll be able to comparison shop, visit thrift stores, or venture farther away. By not limiting yourself to shops nearby campus, you’ll have a better selection and be able to save money on things you need in college.

You’ll also be able to make last minute purchases and track down hard-to-find items. 

5. Drive home from college

If you live close enough to your college campus, having a car on campus will give you flexibility and save money when it’s time to go home from college. 

For example, if you have a car at college, you can be flexible about when you leave for Thanksgiving Break—super helpful if your professors end up canceling classes Thanksgiving week and you can go home earlier than expected.

Taking your car to college will give you the flexibility to go home for the weekend or a special event, without having to worry about the cost of airline tickets or having to purchase them far in advance. 

Bringing a car to college also means your parents won’t have to make a round-trip drive to pick you up….and another to drop you off.

Depending on how far away your college is from your home, this could save a substantial amount of time and money (on gas and even a hotel room).

For out-of-state students who living within driving distance of their college, driving is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get home for school breaks. 

6. Explore the area Near Your College

Having a car means you can get away from campus and explore nearby towns, hiking areas, or cities. You can do fun autumn activities with friends and escape campus for spring break.

Being able to explore the region near your college is a great perk, especially if you’re going to college in a new place or region of the country that’s unfamiliar to you.

7. Everyday freedom to Travel Independently

If you have your own vehicle at college, you won’t have to depend on public transportation or your friends to run errands or get wherever it is you need to be. 

You’ll also be able to plan roadtrips. You’ll be able to drive for weekend trips or spring break adventures. 

8. Fun with Friends

Having a car on campus will allow you to do fun things with your friends. You can easily drive across town to try a new restaurant, get out of town for a weekend road trip, or make a late-night fast food run. 

Drawbacks to having a car on campus

1. Costs of Buying a Car

If you take your car to college, you will have various expenses associated with having a car on campus. Consider these costs before deciding to take a car to college. The first is the cost of buying a car.

If you already have a car, this is probably not a factor in your decision. But if you’d need to buy a car to take to college, ask yourself if you really have the funds to buy a car. 

Can you afford monthly payments and all the expenses associated with car ownership? If you do have the funds, would buying a car be the best use of your money?

Whether you’re looking at new cars or used cars, it’s only a good deal if you can afford it!

2. Cost of Insurance

Before deciding to take your car to college, it’s a good idea to call your insurance agent and see what your auto insurance would cost if you take your car to college, compared to your savings if you left the car at home. 

If you leave the car at home, you might be able to save money on your insurance premiums, since you’ll be away at college and not driving the car. 

3. Cost of Gas and maintenance

You’ll obviously have to pay for gas, oil changes, and any other maintenance while you’re driving the car. Fuel costs and car maintenance expense can add up quickly!

4. Cost of Parking Permits and Fees

Most college charge fees for on-campus parking permits. You’ll have to check with your college to see what their parking fees are. 

Some colleges have limited parking spots, so it can be a competitive process to secure a permit.

Find out if your college guarantees parking or not, before deciding to bring a car to college. 

5. Finding a parking space

Even with a campus parking permit, finding a place to park on campus might be challenging. 

If you plan to drive to class, rather than walk, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise. You can only drive so close to academic buildings, and there are limited parking spaces in central campus. If you plan to save time by driving to class, you may find you spend more time looking for a parking space than you would have spent walking to class. 

Also, student parking may be restricted to a parking lot at the far edge of campus. So you might not be able to park your car near your dorm. 

6. Theft and damage

College campuses seem to be magnets for car thieves who are counting on college students to leave car doors unlocked and forget to take valuables out of their cars. 

Be alert to safety concerns. Park in well-lit and monitored parking garages if possible. Never leave valuables in your car. Thieves are just looking for a reason to break into your car!

Always lock your car!

7. Tickets and fees

College campuses are notorious for parking police who have no sympathy for college students who parked in the wrong place or forgot their parking permit. 

Chances are, you’ll also be risking a parking ticket from city police. If you parked in the wrong zone, blocked a driveway, or are blocking street cleaning, you’ll probably have a ticket on your car when you return. 

If you’ve parked in a lot or parking space illegally, you could also be towed. Towing fees are not cheap, and it will take a chunk of time to get your car out of an impound lot. 

Speeding tickets are another thing to consider if you take your car to college. Don’t exceed the mandated speed limit.

If you do get a ticket of any sort, pay it promptly. 

8. Potential accidents

Accidents do happen! Be aware of what your car insurance deductible is, in case you are in an accident and need to file a claim. 

If you are in an accident, be sure to take photos of the scene, get a police report, and call your auto insurance company right away. 

9. Too much freedom

Some college students find that having a car provides too much freedom. If you can drive off-campus to do something fun everyday, maybe you won’t spend quite enough time going to class or studying.

If you know having your car will be too much of a temptation to do fun things, consider leaving your car at home, at least until you’ve established good study habits and gotten involved with campus activities.

10. Needy friends

Most college students with cars find that their friends frequently ask them for favors, like a ride to the airport or to the nearest stores.

While you may want to help your new friends, you will have to say no at least some of the time. It’s not your job to be their personal taxi service!

This could lead to strained friendships (of course, any “friend” who is using you for your car isn’t really a friend!)

11. Extra responsibility

A car is a lot of extra responsibility. You’ll have to stay on top of required maintenance, paying any parking tickets, and taking precautions against theft. 

You’ll also have to be sure never to drink and drive or let anyone else drive your car after they’ve been drinking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that for drivers ages 16-20 who have been drinking, their fatality risk is 12 to 32 times higher than for sober drivers. 

What to do before taking your car to college

1. Update your Auto Insurance

Be sure that your car insurance is current and that you have up-to-date insurance cards in your car.

Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts for full-time students or students with good grades, so check with your insurance agent!

2. Car maintenance before going to college

Take your car to your regular mechanic before you leave for college. 

Be sure to have your mechanic change the oil and check the fluid levels.

Check your tire treads. Be sure that your tires are good for weather conditions where you’re going. For example, if your college is in Vermont and you live in South Carolina, be sure your tires can handle snowy roads.

Replace your wiper blades so you’re ready for rainy days. 

Check for any recalls. Make sure there are no other problems with the car. 

3. Driver’s license

Check the date on your driver’s license. Make sure it won’t expire while you’re away at college.

4. Emergency assistance

Do you have emergency roadside assistance?

Some car companies provide it when you purchase a car.

If not, consider signing up for AAA. They have different levels of roadside assistance. (I absolutely made sure my daughter had AAA roadside assistance before she took her car to college!)

Knowing you have someone to call for help in an emergency provides a lot of peace of mind!

5. Car wash

Before heading off to college, wash and vacuum your car. You’ll appreciate starting the school year with a clean vehicle. 

6. Maintenance Plans

Regular maintenance is just part of having a car! Discuss with your parents in advance how you will get your car serviced while you’re at college.

Where should you take the car for an oil change or a strange clanking sound? Making plans in advance will make it less stressful when you need to have the car serviced or repaired. 

7. Conversations

You should also discuss any rules regarding your car. You’ll need to know your parent’s rules about your car if your parents own your car or you’re on their car insurance policy.

Who is allowed to drive your car? Just you? Or can you loan it to friends? 

How far are you allowed to drive the car? Are your parents comfortable with a 12-hour road trip?

It’s much better to know your parents’ policy about how you use your car before anything goes wrong!

Decide on your policy for giving friends rides or letting anyone borrow your car in advance. 

8. Understand the parking situation

Familiarize yourself with your college’s parking system. What lots can you park in? Are there game day restrictions? Is street parking restricted on certain days?

Things you need if you take a car to college

Before taking your car to college, you might want to be sure you have these things in your car:

If you don’t take a car to college

If you decide not to take your car to college, there are several things you can do to cover your transportation needs. 

1. Use public transportation

If available at your college, this will be your cheapest transportation option. Find out about local discounts on public transportation for college students. 

2. Ask a friend

Find a friend with a car and generously offer gas money in return for rides.

(If you’ve read this and realized all the potential drawbacks of having a car at college, you’ll understand why your friend would appreciate some financial compensation for taking you places!)

3. Take an Uber or Lyft

These services will be far less expensive than bringing your own car to campus. Download the apps and set up your payment information in advance, before you need it.

4. Get a bike

Having a bike on campus makes it easy to get around campus quickly. 

5. Rent or bring a scooter

Scooters are hugely popular on college campuses now. You can bring your own. Or see if your college has scooters available to rent when you need one. 

6. Walk everywhere

Get some comfy walking shoes and start walking around campus.

7. Use Amazon

You can order almost everything you need from Amazon! It will be shipped to you, whether you live on campus or off campus. 

If you have Amazon Prime Student, you can get fast, free shipping. Ordering from Amazon means you won’t have to worry about making the trip to Walmart or Target—snacks and dorm supplies will come right to you!

Pros and Cons of taking a car to college

Pros of having a car at college

• Flexibility to go home
• Possibly save money by living and shopping off campus
• Easily go to work or an internship 
• Freedom to explore the area
• Shopping, doctors appointments, and other errands are more convenient

Cons of having a car at college 

• Cost of maintenance, insurance, gas, parking permits, etc. 
• Challenges of finding a parking space
• Potential for theft, damage, tickets, or fees
• Maybe too much freedom or responsibility

How many college students have cars?

According to a U.S. News and World Report survey conducted during the 2016-17 academic year, just under 47 percent of college students brought cars to campus. 

A more recent 2022 survey conducted by Value Penguin says that 56 percent of undergraduate students have a vehicle they can rely on when attending school.

This same survey noted that 66 percent of students attending college in the southern US have a car, compared to 40 percent of students going to school in the northeast. 

Tips for commuter students

If you’re a commuter student, then of course you’ll have a car on campus!

1. Leave early

Leave your home early enough to allow a lot of time to get to campus, find parking, and walk from the parking lot to class. 

2. Know where you’re allowed to park

Familiarize yourself with the map of parking lots where you have permission to park.

You’ll quickly learn what lots fill up early and which ones always have open parking spots.

Depending on your class schedules and locations, and the size of your campus, you might find it’s better to park in different lots on different days. 

3. Stay all day

One way to cut down on college commuting expenses is to make only one trip to campus a day. So if you go for a morning class, stay on campus until your late afternoon class, instead of going home. 

While you might find that you’re spending a lot of money on gas and car maintenance, in the long run, you’ll save money by living at home. 

Staying on campus all day will also help you find new opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and be part of campus life. 

Final thoughts on taking your car to college

The question, should I take my car to college?, is a personal one. The right choice depends on your specific circumstances. 

Bringing your car to campus with you will come with some additional costs. But having your car at college with you could help you save money as well.

Having a car in college will also make many aspects of college life easier. You’ll have more freedom and independence if you bring a car to college. 

Consider the location of your college, campus parking policies, and your other transportation options. Also think about your finances and activities. 

For some students, going to college without their car is an easy choice. They save money, don’t stress about a car, and find everything they need on campus (or from Amazon).

For other college students, having a car on campus is necessary or convenient enough to make it worth the hassle. 

Many people recommend that first year college students leave their car at home. Freshman year of college, you’ll probably live on campus and focus on participating in on-campus activities. 

However, as a first-year student, you may have a compelling reason to have a car at college. 

For older college students, the question of whether or not to take a car to college will mainly depend on where your university is located, parking costs, if you work a part-time job off-campus, and if you need to drive home. 

There are many important things to consider when deciding if taking a car to college is the right decision for you!

Whatever you decide about bringing your car to campus, always drive safely!