87% Rise in US Domestic Shipments as Students and Gen Z Drive New Travel Trends

New research has revealed an 87% rise in domestic US shipments over the past year, as more people choose to send their belongings across states rather than overseas.

The increase reflects changing travel habits, particularly among students and young professionals who are opting to explore the US instead of travelling abroad during study breaks.

Recent visa policy changes and enhanced social media screening requirements are believed to be influencing this shift. Under new State Department guidelines, international student visa applicants must now make their social media accounts public as part of expanded vetting. Officials have been instructed to search for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States,” a move that has left many international students uncertain about leaving and re-entering the country.

As a result, more students are staying within the US, using services like Send My Bag to move belongings between campuses, coasts, or travel destinations during term breaks.

Darren Johnston from Send My Bag commented:

“Students and professionals today are incredibly mobile, but that doesn’t always mean international travel. We’re seeing more customers relocating or exploring within the States rather than shipping overseas. Services like ours make that possible, helping them move safely and affordably without relying on expensive moving firms.”

The most frequent domestic routes include California to New York, followed closely by shipments to and from Florida, Texas, and Illinois. Seasonal peaks remain strongest in June and December, when people are relocating for work, internships, or study.

Millennials and Gen Z now make up over half of all US-to-US users, valuing the convenience of flexible, on-demand shipping. Customers cite speed (45%), tracking visibility (37%), and cost savings (33%) as their top reasons for choosing Send My Bag over traditional movers.

The trend also ties into broader lifestyle changes, with more people working remotely or studying across multiple states. Around 28% of domestic shipments are linked to career moves, while 24% involve sending items to family or friends, including seasonal clothes, gifts, and college supplies.

Florida continues to be a hotspot for seasonal shipments, with 15% of users sending belongings to vacation homes or winter rentals between November and February. Coastal routes remain dominant for long-distance relocations, reflecting how mobility and flexibility define modern living.

“Domestic shipping is becoming a reflection of how people live and work in 2025,” Darren Johnston added. “With hybrid jobs, flexible study options, and evolving travel policies, people need reliable ways to move their belongings, and that’s exactly what we offer.”

As mobility trends evolve, Send My Bag expects domestic shipments to continue rising, cementing its role as a practical alternative for students, professionals, and families moving across America.