Why Leaving your Vehicle on Campus isn’t Always a Safe Choice
As the summer months inch closer, many college students face the same question: what should I do with my car? While leaving your car on campus may seem convenient, it’s often the most dangerous option. From growing crime rates in the summer to harsh weather conditions and long-term inactivity, campus grounds can expose your vehicle to serious threats. Alternatively, using a reputable auto transport service, especially those designed for college students, may be the optimal solution for you.
Key Takeaways
- Thousands of student vehicles are stolen or damaged on American college campuses every year —especially over summer break.
- Leaving your car on campus grounds over summer can expose it to numerous threats, from weather damage and battery drainage to vandalism and theft.
- Alternatives to leaving your car on campus: professional car shipping, self-storage, or simply taking your vehicle back home.
- Universities in cities like Boston, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Albuquerque, New York City, Syracuse, Phoenix, and Columbus have some of the highest campus crime stats
- Global Auto Transportation offers safe, secure, cross-country auto transport for college students —the ideal choice for students heading home for the summer.
Higher Campus Crime Rates in Summer
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education, on average, over 3,500 auto thefts occur on college campuses annually:
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass Amherst) has seen a surge in auto thefts over the last few years, with a whopping increase of 120% in 2022 alone compared to previous years.
- University of California, Berkeley reported around 500 campus crimes, including auto thefts.
- University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) experienced 275 campus crimes, including vehicle theft, in one year.
- In the summer month of August 2024 alone, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) issued a timely warning which detailed several auto thefts that occurred on-campus.
- Ohio universities, including Ohio State University, saw a spike in stolen vehicles during the summer season.
Unmonitored grounds and less people around make vehicles easy targets.
Heat, Dust, and Long-Term Exposure
Leaving a vehicle outside and untouched for 2-3 months can lead to:
- Tire damage from long-term sun exposure
- Dead batteries from inactivity
- Interior wear caused by trapped heat
Why Driving Home May Not be Optimal —And Why an Auto Transport Service for College Students May be Ideal
While some college students opt for driving their car home for the summer, the truth is it’s not always the safest, most cost-efficient, or stress-free option.
Long-Distance Drives —Higher Risks and Costs
If your university is out-of-state, driving home could take 1-3 days, depending on your location. This means:
- Spending money on gas, food, overnight stays, and tolls
- Risking vehicle and tire damages en-route
- Navigating unfamiliar roads, fatigue, and traffic jams
Especially risky for students traveling from universities like:
- UCLA (Los Angeles) to Chicago — approximately 2,000 miles
- Florida State University to New Jersey — approximately 1,000 miles
- Arizona State University to Seattle — approximately 1,400 miles
Hidden Costs Add Up
Driving home may seem “free”, but when you consider fuel, maintenance, hotels, and time, you could easily splurge up to $500-$1,200 on the road.
That costs more than having your car transported professionally, insurance included.
It’s Summer —Relax, Don’t Drive
Why put yourself through more stress with long-distance driving after finals, moving out, and packing? Let a reliable auto transport company, like Global Auto Transportation, handle it for you! Start your summer the easy way.
What Are Your Options as a College Student?
1. Opt for Auto Transport Solutions for College Students
Instead of leaving your car on campus, book a door-to-door auto transport solution with a company like Global Auto Transportation.
- No long-distance driving
- Ensured safety near home
- Great for students studying out-of-state returning home
Use Your Student Discount Today!
2. Use a Secure Vehicle Storage Unit
If your only option is to leave your car behind, consider renting a climate-controlled vehicle storage unit in close proximity to your campus.
This option offers:
- 24/7 surveillance
- Protection from UV and extreme weather
- Easy access when you return to campus
Search for facilities near major campuses in your area such as:
- Harvard University – Boston, Massachusetts
- MIT – Boston, Massachusetts
- University of Texas – Austin, Texas
- Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
- UCLA – Los Angeles, California
- Caltech – Pasadena, California
- Michigan State University – East Lansing, Michigan
- Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio
- Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois
- Florida State University – Tallahassee, Florida
- Syracuse University – Syracuse, New York
3. Prepare Your Car for the Summer
If your only option is to leave your car on campus, make sure to:
- Disconnect the battery to avoid battery drainage
- Wash and wax your vehicle to protect it from UV and dust exposure
- Inflate tires to prevent flat spots
- Cover your car with a suitable car cover
Remove personal belongings and anything noticeable through windows
How Global Auto Transportation Can Help College Students
We here at Global Auto Transportation work with hundreds of students annually — especially over summer break.
We offer:
- Dependable door-to-door auto transport
- Cost-efficient rates with our college car transport service
- Coast-to-coast auto transport —include remote campuses and major cities
- Full insurance and GPS tracking
Whether you’re leaving Massachusetts, California, Texas, New York, Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, or any other state to go home, Global Auto Transportation can help transport your car safely.
Contact Us for an early booking and secure your spot.
Don’t Leave Your Car Without a Plan
Whether heading home for a job, internship, or vacation, your car needs a plan too. Leaving it in a near-empty parking lot for 3 months? That’s risky.
At Global Auto Transportation, we simplify this by providing safe, fully-insured auto transport services —perfect for students on the go!
Get a Free Quote and book your auto transport today. Enjoy stress-free moving while leaving campus for the summer.
