Every August and January, South Florida fills up with students moving in, and every spring and summer they move out. Military families on permanent change of station (PCS) orders move year-round. Both groups face the same problem: a car that needs to be somewhere else, a tight calendar, and usually no time for a 20-hour drive. Here’s how car shipping works for college and military moves in and around Fort Lauderdale.
The campuses we see most
- Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has its main campus at 3301 College Avenue in Davie, a short drive from I-595 and Florida’s Turnpike.
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has its main campus at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton, just off I-95. FAU also has a Davie campus at 3200 College Avenue, shared with Broward College, plus a Fort Lauderdale campus and the SeaTech campus in Dania Beach.
- Broward College students at the Davie campus share the College Avenue corridor with NSU and FAU Davie.
Students from across the country, and especially from the Northeast, come to these schools, which makes the I-95 lanes busiest at the start and end of each semester.
Timing a college move
- Book early for August. Late summer is busy on southbound I-95 lanes, with families moving students down at the same time. Reach out a few weeks before move-in.
- Ship before you fly. Many families ship the car a few days before the student flies down, so it’s waiting when they arrive. If the dorm can’t receive it, arrange a local friend or a meeting point.
- May is the crunch going north. The end of the spring semester overlaps with snowbirds heading home, so northbound trucks fill fast. Book before finals if you can.
- Summer storage vs. shipping. If the student is coming back in the fall, compare the cost of shipping home and back with summer storage near campus.
Campus pickup and delivery tips
Most campuses don’t allow a tractor-trailer car carrier to drive into residence-hall lots or parking garages. Plan on:
- A meeting point off campus on a main road such as College Avenue, University Drive or Davie Road in Davie, or Glades Road in Boca Raton
- A specific time window, avoiding move-in weekend traffic around campus
- A key and a contact. If the student is in class, a parent or roommate can meet the driver with the key, as long as we know ahead of time.
Off-campus apartment complexes often have gates or truck rules. Our condo and HOA pickup guide explains how to handle them.
Military PCS moves
South Florida has a smaller military footprint than some regions, but service members move in and out year-round. Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale is at 7000 N Ocean Drive in Dania Beach, and other commands and recruiting offices are spread across the region. Common moves include:
- Shipping a second car while the household drives the first
- Shipping the car ahead so it’s waiting at the new duty station
- Shipping from storage when a member is deployed or between assignments
PCS tips:
- Send us your report date as soon as you have orders. The more lead time, the better the pickup window.
- Check your entitlements. Allowances and reimbursement rules for shipping a privately owned vehicle depend on your orders and branch. Ask your transportation office; we can’t advise on what’s covered.
- Plan for base access. If pickup or delivery is on an installation, check gate and visitor rules for a commercial truck. A meeting point outside the gate is often simpler.
- Leave a trusted contact. If you’re out of reach on the delivery date, name someone to receive the car.
The network page for military and student auto transport has more background.
Ballpark starting estimates
These open-transport starting estimates come from the live route pages. They change with fuel, the season and events, especially around move-in and move-out weeks.
| Lane | Open, from | Route page |
|---|---|---|
| New York to Fort Lauderdale | $965 | view lane |
| Boston to Fort Lauderdale | $1,055 | view lane |
| Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale | $965 | view lane |
| Washington, DC to Fort Lauderdale | $825 | view lane |
| Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale | $615 | view lane |
| Chicago to Fort Lauderdale | $1,020 | view lane |
Need it there faster? Expedited pickup narrows the pickup window. It costs more and doesn’t guarantee a delivery date. Our cost guide explains the rest.
Prep checklist
- Clean the car and take dated photos of all sides and the interior.
- Leave about a quarter tank.
- Don’t pack it like a moving box. Most carriers limit or don’t allow personal items, and anything inside isn’t covered like the car.
- Remove toll transponders and parking permits.
- Make sure the registration and insurance are current.
College and military questions
Can a parent book for a student?
Yes. Parents often book and pay, and the student meets the driver. Just give us both contacts.
Can the car be delivered to a dorm?
Usually not directly, because carriers can’t enter most campus lots. We’ll set a nearby meeting point.
Can I ship on short notice for PCS orders?
We’ll do our best. Ask about expedited pickup, and send your orders’ dates as soon as you have them.
Can I ship the car back home for the summer and back in the fall?
Yes. Many families book both legs. Tell us both sets of dates and we’ll quote each one.
CTA: Send us the school or duty station, the pickup and delivery addresses and your dates. We’ll come back with a ballpark starting estimate and a pickup plan that fits move-in or report day.
Ready to get a quote?
Tell us where the car is, where it’s going and roughly when. We’ll give you a ballpark starting estimate, match you with a licensed carrier that runs the lane, and handle the booking from there.
Call (754) 946-4922 (Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–3pm) or email hello@autoshippingnearme.com. Our yard is at 1117 NW 55th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.