Minimalist College Packing List: Driving to College
No joke—this is what my son’s college closet looked like after he was completely moved in. He brought a small capsule wardrobe and was perfectly happy.
Less really is almost always more.
Everything you buy has to be stored, moved, shipped, or hauled back home.
This is a simple, practical college packing list based on what my kids actually used—and what we could have skipped.
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Driving to College List
Getting There
Choose the “Multiple” size option—it includes an assortment of bag sizes and worked great for us.
We washed the bedding and towels, then packed them in vacuum bags. It saved space and kept everything clean in transit.
My kids gave me such grief about this purchase, but it saved us. It packs small, holds a lot, and kept us from making multiple trips from the car to the dorm. We’ve used it over and over.
Bedding
pillows
comforter
twin XL sheets
pillowcases
This one made my kids’ college mattress “more comfortable” than their home bed!
Laundry
laundry soap
Bath & Shower
bath towels
washcloths
shower shoes
hand towels
Sometimes it’s easier to keep one at home and one at school
toothpaste
mouthwash
floss
tweezers
body wash/soap
face soap
shampoo & conditioner
hairbrush
deodorant
nail clippers
q-tips
lotion
face moisturizer
hair products
razor
chapstick/lip balm
sunscreen
Desk & School Supplies
This multipack served both of my boys well—it includes a little of everything.
backpack
pens & highlighters
calculator (& charger)
index cards
Closet
over-the-door hooks - single
over-the-door-hooks - multiple
especially great if they need a place to hang wet towels, jackets, etc.
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Medicine & First Aid
I added in a few meds as well, some Advil, Tylenol, NyQuil…his personal favorites…really helpful because if/when they get sick, they may not have the time/energy to get to the store!
really helpful if/when they get sick and you know “how sick” they are!
prescription meds
insurance card (keep a copy at home, too)
Tech & Charging
Check your student’s dorm rules before purchasing electrical items.
cell phone/computer charger
Almost immediately on first trips home, they were left at school, so pretty quickly we had doubles, chargers “here” and “there”
laptop/computer
Yes…I put this on the list because my son left his home for his sophomore year trip to school! Luckily a friend was driving up the next day and could drop it off for him!
Cleaning
Okay…hear me out. With a kid living in a 100-year-old dorm, I decided to splurge on the gold standard for air purifiers. It fit easily under his bed, ran 24/7, and was super quiet. I felt better knowing the old-building air wasn’t just circulating around the room.
Move-In Day Supplies
paper towels & multi-purpose cleaning spray (I love this one and it comes in good scent options)
masking tape
snacks
water bottle
scissors
Clothing
This one is pretty personal. Here’s what I’d suggest: If your kid is going to do laundry weekly, a few pairs of pants/shorts/shirts are probably good. If you know laundry may be “few and far between,” I may suggest packing more. Go heavy on things like underwear, socks. Beyond that, here are a few things to remember to pack:
rain jacket
warm coat (sometimes hard to remember in August!)
dress shoes/suit/fancy dress? both my kids needed a suit first semester
One of my boys took pretty much all of his clothes. The other took a super small “capsule” wardrobe. Both were happy with their decision.
Wait and See
desk lamp
kitchen supplies (bowls, plates, cups, silverware)
Important Papers
driver’s license
birth certificate or passport, if needed for employment or school paperwork
Both of my boys needed theirs in the first month to apply for a job. Not something I really wanted them to take, but it was necessary.
car registration & insurance information — keep a copy at home just in case!
medical and dental insurance cards
