For my oldest, it was easy because she got to move in a few days early for orientation or something. She went to Boston University--there is no parking. When I moved her in, we were lucky to find a parking spot on her street--she lived in a Back Bay brownstone, NOT a standard dorm (dumb luck!). For the regular dorms, I think they had designated parking lots and those big laundry carts, but she never had to go that route.
For my younger DD, it went like clockwork. She was mailed a map of where she needed to go, and told what paperwork to have with her, all filled out. DH dropped her off, then drove to her dorm where students helped unload the vehicle. He parked and walked back--by the time he got back, she was done checking in. You would not BELIEVE how many students didn't bother doing their paperwork in advance, but she did, so she sailed right through. She also lived on the first floor, so getting the stuff into her room was easy--especially with her two brothers to help. The thing that took the longest was waiting for her roommate to show up--DH didn't want to leave her by herself, since she was nervous as it was. Of course, joke's on us--we barely see or speak to her, now that she's spent the 2 hours necessary to adjust and make friends. Her campus is ~3 miles from home.
I really think it depends on the college, as far as how easy it is. Another factor for my younger DD's school is, they evacuate if there's a hurricane approaching. Students are instructed to not bring more furnishings, etc. than they can get out in one vehicle (no U-Hauls or trucks). If they have to evacuate, they need an efficient plan, so they use move-in days as practice.