We got by with an SUV and sedan, with four total passengers. In addition to all of the clothes, a futon/chair to lounge in, a bike, and a mattress topper were the only big things.
Nothing says first-world problem like wondering if the futon will fit in the SUV. 
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Well….that depends. If your kid is going far away to college like mine did, she kept her carry on. I flew home with one checked larger bag that was mine. The rest…l I had gotten older used suitcases from neighbors and friends that they no longer used or wanted and they were donated after the trip. When my kid flew home on breaks, she brought only her carryon and her computer bag. In the summers, she stored everything in a storage unit where her college was located.
When she finished college, three of us flew out…so six suitcases. She knew that whatever fit in the suitcases could come home, but the rest would need to go. She did ship her books. We took two of our own large bags, and the other four were borrowed from friends and neighbors.
This worked for us.
If what your kid wants to take to college fits in 2 suitcases, why take more? Feels likes we are playing name that tune. I can go to college with 2 suitcases. I can go with one suitcase and a backpack. I can go to college with a duffel bag. I can go with a large ziploc bag. Go to college.
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My daughter only had a fridge the first year. She never felt a need to keep anything cold. If she was thirsty, she drank water or tea. Her must have was a mini electric kettle.
@ShamrockLotus - here is just one example of a “packing” list linked below - there is a good chance your University also has this information available on their website.
Bed, Bath and Beyond also has a check list and they go way overboard - in my opinion. Many things can be purchased once you get to school or delivered, if you have the budget and credit card to shop online.
Also, some schools have a “garage sale” during move-in offering excellent prices on used items either left behind or donated by former students.
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Yes, the packing list at BBB is totally ridiculous.
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Thanks for the tip on the Samsonite tote-a-tons. We’re just starting to get our heads around packing for long-distance travel for D21’s departure. Used Ikea bags for our elder student, but figured we’d need a more baggage-claim-friendly option for the long-distance. And, Samsonite’s having a July 4th sale - additional % off plus % off for signing up to the email list. Ordered a few and hope to have all neatly packed accordingly. Score!
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I just bought four at the samsonite sale too!
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Just remember…what goes to college in August, ultimately has to be packed up and hauled back in May 
I got stuck packing up my D13 freshman daughter’s entire room while she took her finals (don’t get me started on why she couldn’t start working on it BEFORE the move out day…) She took her entire life to college - every piece of clothing, a million pairs of shoes, purses, jewelry - AND we were only 2.5 hours away! We visited a couple of times each semester and could have brought things to her. She could not and would not be reasoned with. She made several giant framed photo collages and a giant wooden monogram that we had to haul back and forth and now reside in my attic.
I just looked at D21’s pile. It’s not that big. Granted, she is my procrastinator and hasn’t made a bedding (or general decor) decision yet (although I did get a topper), but even so, it does look small. She rotates through a small handful of sneakers & Birks so I don’t anticipate a huge shoe haul (I did buy her some winter/rain duck boots). She’s worn a school uniform since kindergarten and we are in the process of building a normal wardrobe, so there will be clothes on hangars at some point. I pulled out some of the storage drawers that her sister used but until she and her roommate make a room layout decision (to loft or not to loft) I won’t know what storage will fit where. Her dorm room is very small, which is actually a good thing since she’ll have make calculated decisions about what to bring.
I bought 8 of the Fratka bags and question whether she will even fill half of them. Luckily she will only be 3 hours away if she wants something specific from home and can always get whatever else she needs from Amazon or the nearby Target/Walmart.
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Or…the student can do what my kid did. Find some friends and share a storage unit for the summer. Get one that is climate controlled. It won’t be too costly…and the reality is…most of that “stuff” won’t be needed for the summer at home and will just sit in the family living room until it’s time to return to college.
Some colleges actually have arrangements with storage folks who pick up your packed stuff in the spring…and then deliver it to your new housing when you return. Easy peasy!
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A storage unit is a great idea if they have a lot of bulky stuff that they will use again in subsequent years.
In my daughter’s case, after freshman year she lived in furnished apartments and didn’t need to bring all of the storage cubes & drawers. She also had full/queen beds after freshman year so the twin XL stuff was a one-off. D21 will also only live in the dorms freshman year and won’t have need for the storage stuff after that (glad I hung on to it so I didn’t have to re-buy).
Or, as I have done, in a friend’s garage / basement if they live close enough.
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Many years ago, a fellow student mailed his books to the dorm in June, in the slowest postal class. They showed up in August. 
Never….never mail things book rate or whatever it’s called.
My kid stored all of her heavy books in that storage unit along with her personal decor items, and clothes she knew she wouldn’t need in the summer. It worked out very well.
The summer storage can be pricey - D20 used a facility that picks up and delivers because no car. We looked at two places and it’s about 15$ per item per month. One had a 3 month summer charge and another 4 months. We decided several things were easier and cheaper to just buy again.
My D joined with 3 friends to rent the smallest storage locker at a local location, probably something like 10x5 and 8 ft high. They came nowhere near filling it and I think it was
$50 each for the summer.
When we went to pick her up/drop her off for the summer, we made a few trips back and forth to load/unload.
After recent graduation, we took everything back home in the same vehicles used to take her out.
(Moving to her first apartment, on the other hand, filled 2/3 of a 12’ rental truck)
And yes, just going to college, and this entire site, is generally a first-world topic.
I am very hopeful that our trip to NC with a car full of things will be a one time event. We fully plan on the summer shared storage locker and then flying in and out or shared rides with friends with the few things my S needs for the summer.
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