8/10/25

The Ultimate Guide to Dartmouth College Storage: Insider Tips & Tricks

Hey everyone! If you're a Dartmouth student, you know the end of a term brings a special kind of chaos. Between finals, saying goodbye to friends, & getting ready to head out for the break, the LAST thing you want to stress about is what to do with all your stuff. Honestly, figuring out where to store your belongings can be a huge headache, especially if you're from out of state or don't have a car on campus.
I've been there, & I've navigated the maze of Dartmouth storage options more times than I can count. So, I wanted to put together a super comprehensive guide to help you figure out the best solution for you. We'll break down everything from the official on-campus options to the full-service companies & even some creative solutions you might not have thought of.

The On-Campus Hustle: Dartmouth's Official Storage

Let's start with what the college itself offers. Dartmouth has a couple of systems in place, but they come with their own set of rules & limitations. It's super important to know these details before you bank on them for all your storage needs.

Controlled Storage: The Secure-ish Option

Dartmouth provides what they call "Controlled Storage" areas for students who are away from campus for a term. These are basically designated, secured rooms in the basements of several residence halls like Andres, Wheeler, & New Hampshire Hall.
Here's the lowdown on Controlled Storage:
  • Cost: It's pretty affordable, running about $15 per box or item for the entire term. This charge goes directly to your student account.
  • What you CAN store: Standard-sized boxes, trunks, & other sealed containers are generally fine. They also have designated spots for bicycles.
  • What you CAN'T store: This is a big one. They do NOT accept large items. We're talking mattresses, futons, sofas, chairs, or any bulky furniture. Also, no plastic bags as containers. The rule of thumb is if one person can't easily move your box, it's probably not going to be accepted.
  • The Process: You can't just show up. You have to make an appointment at least one business day in advance by calling the Residential Operations office. And be warned, they're only open on weekdays, no weekends or college holidays.
  • The Catch: It's first-come, first-served, & space is limited. You absolutely have to book an appointment, & during the end-of-term rush, these can fill up fast. One student on an admissions blog mentioned that appointments become available around week 8 of the spring term & recommended booking as early as possible.
There's also a time limit for getting your stuff back. You have to retrieve your belongings within three weeks of returning to campus for the next term. If you don't, they'll start charging you a weekly late fee of $5 per item.

Trunk Rooms: The "At Your Own Risk" Option

Each residence hall also has a "Trunk Room" in the basement. The good news? It's free to use for students living in that hall. The bad news? These rooms are NOT secured. Dartmouth explicitly states they assume no responsibility for anything that gets lost, stolen, or damaged in a trunk room. So, while it might be tempting to stash a few things there, it's probably not the best spot for your expensive textbooks or that laptop you'll need next semester. Like Controlled Storage, you also can't store furniture or rugs in here.

The Full-Service Squad: When Convenience is Key

For many students, especially those flying in from across the country or internationally, dealing with the on-campus system is just too much of a hassle. This is where full-service storage companies come in. These services are basically the easy button for college moving & storage. They typically drop off boxes, pick up your packed items directly from your dorm room, store them for the summer, & deliver them back to you when you return.
Here are some of the most popular companies that service the Dartmouth campus:

Collegeboxes

As a division of U-Haul, Collegeboxes is a well-known name in the student storage game. They offer summer storage, ship-to-school services, & direct shipping. They'll pick up your items and store them at the local U-Haul facility on Hanover Street in Lebanon, which is about 5 miles from campus. One cool thing is they also offer U-Box containers if you have a larger amount of stuff to move.

Storage Scholars

Storage Scholars is another big player, & they pride themselves on a stress-free experience. They are an official partner of Dartmouth College. Their service includes sending you a supply kit with boxes & tape, picking up your belongings on a scheduled date, storing them in a climate-controlled facility, & delivering them to your new room when you get back. They even have an option to ship boxes home or to your first post-grad apartment. They have a registration fee & then you pay per item stored. For example, a medium-sized order of six items might run you around $334 for a four-month summer break.

Dorm Room Movers

Dorm Room Movers operates on a similar per-item pricing model with a four-month minimum term. They also provide a supply kit with boxes and tape upon registration. Their service is designed to be super convenient, with professional movers picking up everything from boxes to non-boxed items like bikes, futons, and mini-fridges. This is a MAJOR plus, considering the college's restrictions on furniture. They have testimonials from students who live across the country & found the service seamless.

Campus Storage

Campus Storage also offers a "luxurious" service with pickup and delivery. They have a monthly minimum rate of around $80 and a three-month minimum term. They also offer a "Premiere Package" for an extra fee that gives you priority scheduling and a higher declared value protection on your items.
The big advantage of these services is clear: convenience. A student on College Confidential noted how a company picked up their daughter's things from her third-floor room & delivered them back upon her return, saying it was "well worth the money" compared to shipping everything back & forth.

DIY Storage: For the Adventurous & Budget-Conscious

If you've got a car or a friend with a car, going the do-it-yourself route with a traditional self-storage unit can be a more budget-friendly option. There are several facilities in the surrounding area, though you'll have to do the heavy lifting yourself.

Local Self-Storage Facilities

You'll find familiar names like U-Haul and Extra Space Storage in nearby Lebanon and Plainfield. These places offer various unit sizes, from a small 5x5 (about the size of a walk-in closet, perfect for dorm room contents) to much larger spaces. You can often find climate-controlled units, which is a good idea to protect electronics & other sensitive items from the New Hampshire humidity. Rates will vary based on size & features, but you can expect to pay a monthly fee.

The MI-BOX Option

Another interesting DIY choice is MI-BOX, which offers portable storage containers. They'll deliver a storage pod (they come in 8, 16, or 20-foot sizes) to your residence. You pack it up on your own schedule, & then they come & pick it up to either store at their facility or deliver to a new address. This could be a great option if you're moving to an off-campus apartment for the next term.
The main challenge with DIY storage is transportation. If you don't have a car, getting your stuff to and from an off-campus facility can be a real pain. While Dartmouth does have Zipcar on campus, which you can rent by the hour or day, availability can be tight during peak move-out times.

The Modern Solution: Thinking Outside the Box with Prked

Here's the thing about all these options: they all have their drawbacks. On-campus storage is restrictive & fills up fast. Full-service companies can get pricey, especially if you have a lot of stuff. & DIY storage requires a car & a lot of effort.
This is where a more modern, flexible solution like Prked comes into play. It's a pretty cool concept that connects people who need space with local homeowners who have extra room to spare.
Think about it. There are tons of houses in & around Hanover with empty garages, basements, attics, or even large closets. With Prked, you can find a local resident willing to rent you that space for a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit. It's like the Airbnb of storage.
This approach solves a few key problems for Dartmouth students:
  • Proximity: You could find a storage spot within walking distance of campus, completely eliminating the transportation headache. No need to book a Zipcar or beg a friend for a ride.
  • Flexibility: You're not limited to standard box sizes. Need to store a futon, a mini-fridge, or a couple of chairs that the college won't take? A neighbor's garage is the PERFECT place for that.
  • Cost-Effective: Because you're cutting out the middleman of a large corporation, you can often find much more affordable rates.
  • Vehicle Storage: For students who have a car on campus but are leaving for a term, finding a place to park can be a nightmare. Parking is notoriously tricky in Hanover. Instead of paying high fees for a long-term lot, you could use Prked to rent a safe, private driveway or garage from a local homeowner. It's a convenient & often cheaper way to keep your car secure while you're away.

Key Takeaways & Pro Tips

So, after all that, what's the best choice? It really depends on your specific situation.
  • If you have very few items & can book early: Dartmouth's Controlled Storage might be your most economical choice. Just be prepared for the strict rules.
  • If you're an out-of-state student without a car: A full-service company like Storage Scholars or Dorm Room Movers is likely your best bet for a stress-free experience, especially if you have larger items.
  • If you have a car & are on a tight budget: Renting a unit at a local self-storage facility will save you money, but be ready for the physical labor.
  • If you want a flexible, affordable, & convenient local option: You should DEFINITELY check out Prked. It's a fantastic alternative for storing everything from a few boxes to furniture & even your car, often closer & cheaper than other options.
No matter what you choose, here are a few final words of advice from someone who's learned the hard way:
  1. Start Packing Early: A student on the Dartmouth admissions blog said it best: the stress of last-minute packing can be avoided! Don't wait until the last minute.
  2. Get Your Own Supplies: Even if a service provides them, it's always good to have extra boxes & tape on hand. You can buy them at the Hinman Mail Center on campus.
  3. Label Everything Clearly: Mark every box with your name, class year, & what's inside. It will make unpacking SO much easier.
  4. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help: The Dartmouth community is incredibly supportive. One student mentioned that friends & even people just passing by were willing to help them move heavy boxes.
Hope this was helpful in demystifying the world of Dartmouth storage! It can seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning, you can find the perfect solution for your needs & budget. Let me know what you think or if you have any other tips to share
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