New Jersey families have an unusual advantage when it comes to college visits: dozens of top universities sit within a few hours’ drive, from Princeton and Rutgers to Columbia, NYU, Penn and Yale. That also means a lot of driving. A busy visit season can include early starts, city traffic, campus parking hunts and long drives home after two tours in one day.
A college visit car service in New Jersey turns those trips into productive, relaxed days. Students can prepare on the way, parents can focus on the conversation instead of the road and everyone gets home rested. This guide covers drive times to popular campuses, how to plan one-school and two-school days, choosing the right vehicle and booking options.
From North Jersey, Rutgers and Princeton are roughly 40 minutes to an hour away, Columbia and NYU about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, Penn and other Philadelphia schools about 1.5 to 2 hours, and Yale about 2 hours. Hourly chauffeur service works best for one or two campuses in a day, with the chauffeur waiting during tours. A luxury sedan fits a student and one parent, an SUV fits a family and a Sprinter van suits several families or a school group.
Planning college visits? Call (862) 246-7778 or book online.
Why Families Use a Car Service for College Visits
- Arrive prepared. Students can review questions and notes on the way.
- No parking stress at busy city and suburban campuses.
- Two schools in one day without a tired parent driving late.
- Talk on the way home while impressions are fresh.
- Winter and city driving handled by a professional chauffeur.
Drive Times to Popular Campuses From North Jersey
| Campus | Location | Approximate Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | About 40 minutes to 1 hour |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | Under 30 minutes from much of Hudson and Essex Counties |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | About 1 hour |
| Columbia University | Manhattan | About 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| New York University | Manhattan | About 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | About 1.5 hours |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | About 2 hours |
| Johns Hopkins and Georgetown | Baltimore and Washington, DC | About 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | About 4 hours |
Drive times are estimates from northern New Jersey and depend on traffic, weather and your exact pickup address. City campuses in particular vary widely with tunnel and bridge traffic.
We provide transportation to campus visits. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any college or university.
Planning a One-School Day
- Register for the official information session and tour before booking the car.
- Work backward from check-in time, adding a buffer for traffic.
- Plan lunch on or near campus to get a feel for student life.
- Leave time to explore a specific department, residence hall or the surrounding area.
- Head home while your chauffeur handles the drive.
Popular Two-School Pairings
| Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Princeton and Rutgers | Both in central New Jersey, close together |
| Columbia and NYU | Both in Manhattan; plan for city traffic between them |
| Penn and Villanova or Drexel | All in the Philadelphia area |
| Princeton and Penn | Along the same route toward Philadelphia |
| Yale and Fordham or Columbia | On the way to or from New Haven |
Two-school days are long. Visit the farther campus first when possible so the drive home is shorter.
When to Stay Overnight
For Washington, Baltimore, upstate New York or New England, an overnight stay makes the trip far more comfortable. We can drop you off and return for you at the end of the trip, or plan a multi-day itinerary.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
| Who Is Traveling | Recommended Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Student and one parent | Luxury sedan, up to 2 passengers |
| Family with siblings | Luxury SUV, up to 6 passengers |
| Two or three families together | Sprinter van, up to 14 passengers |
| School counselor or club groups | Group transportation |
See the full fleet.
Booking Options
- Hourly chauffeur service. The chauffeur stays with you all day and waits during tours. Ideal for one or two campuses.
- Point-to-point service. A drop-off and a scheduled return, useful for long visits or overnight stays.
- Multi-day trips. For several campuses across several days, we plan the full itinerary.
Tips for a Productive Campus Visit
- Write down questions for admissions, financial aid and the department of interest.
- Wear comfortable shoes; tours involve a lot of walking.
- Take photos and notes at each campus so they do not blur together.
- Ask current students what they would change about their school.
- Compare notes on the ride home while details are fresh.
Flying In for College Visits?
Families flying in from out of state can land at Newark and go straight to campus. See our Newark airport car service. We also serve JFK and LaGuardia.
Areas We Serve
We drive families from across New Jersey, including Bergen County, Tenafly, Englewood, Summit, Chatham, Westfield and Lawrenceville. See all service areas.
Make college visit season easier.
Tell us which campuses, dates and how many are traveling, and we will plan the day.
Call (862) 246-7778
Book Online
Prefer email? Contact our team.
College Visit Car Service FAQs
Can the chauffeur wait while we tour the campus?
Yes. With hourly chauffeur service, your chauffeur waits during the information session and tour and is ready when you finish.
Can we visit two colleges in one day?
Yes, especially for nearby pairs such as Princeton and Rutgers, Columbia and NYU or schools in the Philadelphia area.
What vehicle is best for a family?
A luxury SUV seats up to six and suits most families. Two or more families traveling together often choose a Sprinter van.
Do you go to campuses outside New Jersey?
Yes. We drive to campuses in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and farther, with day trips or overnight itineraries.
Can you pick up families flying in for college visits?
Yes. We pick up at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia and can go straight to campus or to your hotel.
How far in advance should we book?
Book once your tour dates are confirmed. Spring break and summer are the busiest seasons for college visits.
Focus on the Visit, Not the Drive
A college visit car service in New Jersey helps families make the most of every campus. Students arrive prepared, parents can focus on the experience and everyone gets home rested.
EWR Limousine Service serves New Jersey, New York City and the region. Call (862) 246-7778 to book.