<p>My D is a rising senior (ack! how did this happen so quickly?) Our usual plan has been to drive in August and May, and D flies for breaks and any other trips home. We’re in MA, and have driven both I-81 and I-95. 81 is much prettier but significantly longer, especially from eastern MA. 95 can be ok depending when you drive. We usually drive to my MIL’s in NJ and spend the night, then go the rest of the way the next day, although we have done the whole trip in one long day as well. D has had a car at Elon since soph year, and we really like her to break up the drive in NJ if we’re not with her. Thank heavens she is staying in the same off-campus apartment next year, she didn’t have to move anything this summer!</p>
<p>Freshman year we bought most of her stuff in MA and drove it down in our SUV with the roof box. I don’t regret it, we were bringing the SUV anyway and it was easier not having to go to the store except to pick up a few odds and ends. But if we’d done it the other way (bought stuff in NC) I’m sure it would have been fine. Burlington does not lack for places to shop.</p>
<p>If you live near Boston, Jetblue and Delta are your new best friends - reasonable daily non-stops to RDU. Southwest requires a change of planes at BWI, which to me is just another chance for things to go wrong (aka missed connection).</p>