For students and parents

Planning a one-way car driveaway to college

Last updated: July 26, 2026

A future approved driveaway could handle an operable student car as a one-way move while the student or parent flies. This page is planning guidance, not an offer of currently active interstate transportation.

Planning status as of July 26, 2026: SelectDrive is accepting route details for planning estimates only while its federal interstate operating authority is pending. No interstate for-hire move will start until the required operating authority is granted and active, and the specific trip has current insurance, vehicle, driver, and signed agreement approvals. A pet that travels well may accompany the vehicle it belongs to, and ordinary belongings that fit safely below the window line may be accommodated, but both require advance disclosure and written approval in the trip agreement. Approval is separate from the price estimate and is never automatic. These accommodations are incidental to delivering the vehicle. SelectDrive does not offer household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport. No person may ever travel in the vehicle.

College moves often involve a narrow move-in window, limited housing access, and a car that needs to be road-ready on arrival. Build any comparison around a realistic pickup and delivery window rather than assuming an exact day.

Why driveaway fits a college move

• Disclose pets and belongings. Any pet or ordinary belongings require advance written trip approval, with belongings secured below the window line. See the current vehicle policy.
• Keep the accommodation incidental. SelectDrive does not provide household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport, and no person may travel in the vehicle.
• Confirm updates. A future signed agreement would state whether private tracking or another update method is enabled.
• Know the driver. A future signed agreement would identify the approved driver before pickup.

Iowa campuses and beyond

From a Des Moines planning base, possible routes may involve Iowa City (University of Iowa), Ames (Iowa State), Cedar Falls (Northern Iowa), Grinnell, and Drake in Des Moines, plus out-of-state schools in the lower 48. This route discussion does not mean transportation is currently available.

Time it to the school calendar

August move-in and the May return can create narrow windows. Start planning early enough to compare a possible delivery window with flights, housing access, and campus schedules. No service or date is currently offered or reserved.

Use a complete planning estimate

Some brokers advertise a student discount without showing the complete trip cost. SelectDrive's illustrative planning model bills driver pay at $450 per day in half-day increments, with a one-day minimum, then itemizes route and positioning costs. Electric charging is billed at documented actual cost with receipts. It is not a booking quote. Use the cost calculator or read the cost guide to plan a route, and see the honest driveaway vs driving it yourself breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

Could I pack the car for a future SelectDrive college move?

A pet that travels well may accompany the vehicle it belongs to, and ordinary belongings that fit safely below the window line may be accommodated, but both require advance disclosure and written approval in the trip agreement. Approval is separate from the price estimate and is never automatic. These accommodations are incidental to delivering the vehicle. SelectDrive does not offer household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport. No person may ever travel in the vehicle.

Could a student's pet ride along?

A pet that travels well may accompany the vehicle it belongs to, and ordinary belongings that fit safely below the window line may be accommodated, but both require advance disclosure and written approval in the trip agreement. Approval is separate from the price estimate and is never automatic. These accommodations are incidental to delivering the vehicle. SelectDrive does not offer household goods moving, standalone goods delivery, or standalone pet transport. No person may ever travel in the vehicle.

When should I plan for fall move-in?

Start planning early enough to compare a possible delivery window with move-in, housing access, and travel plans. No service or date is currently available or reserved.

Is SelectDrive currently driving to out-of-state colleges?

No. SelectDrive is accepting planning requests only while required interstate operating authority is pending. No interstate move will start until authority is active and all trip-specific approvals are complete.