Lafayette to New Orleans Movers & Costs (2026)
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The cost to move from Lafayette to New Orleans, LA is $149 - $4,635 for the ~134-mile route, depending on home size and whether you hire full-service movers or go the DIY route.
Local movers such as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.48 out of 5 stars across 235 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $260/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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September availability is going fast in Lafayette
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20 - 30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Lafayette to New Orleans?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Lafayette to New Orleans are regulated by Louisiana law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Louisiana intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Louisiana companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.48/5) as the top local pick, followed by A & L Movers (4.36/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Lafayette to New Orleans moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 29+ Louisiana movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Lafayette to New Orleans?
Expect to spend between $149 and $4,635* on a Lafayette to New Orleans move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
The prices below show what each moving service charges across home sizes:
- Full-service movers: $717 - $4,635
- Moving containers: $752 - $2,184
- Rental trucks: $149 - $313
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves include packing, loading, transport, and unloading. Professional packing alone adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers cut costs by handling transport while you load and unload yourself.
- Rental trucks save roughly 30% versus full-service, but require you to drive the route yourself and supply your own labor.
- Using moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $717 - $3,044 | $752 - $1,283 | $149 - $230 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,206 - $3,660 | $909 - $1,818 | $162 - $291 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,611 - $4,635 | $1,254 - $2,184 | $180 - $313 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 29+ Louisiana moving companies, and are updated as of September 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Lafayette, LA movers.
How Lafayette to New Orleans moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $260 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $3,120.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 25% of Lafayette movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 24% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Lafayette to New Orleans
Moving from Lafayette to New Orleans is a job for local and regional Louisiana movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.48 out of 5 stars across 235 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Lafayette to New Orleans
Local movers operating within Louisiana know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
Our top local picks:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.48/5 stars): 91.5% positive customer ratings.
- A & L Movers (4.36/5 stars): 84.0% positive customer ratings.
- Acadiana Movers (4.34/5 stars): 50.0% positive customer ratings.
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.48/5 stars): 56.9% positive customer ratings.
- Bayou Services of Lake Charles, LLC (4.36/5 stars): 96.6% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 4 movers in Lafayette, drawing on 415 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Lafayette to New Orleans
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Lafayette, LA
Lafayette residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Louisiana moving resources
How does New Orleans compare to Lafayette?
Cost of living: Lafayette vs. New Orleans
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Lafayette | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,825 | $1,755 |
| Average home cost | $249,492 | $300,283 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,454 | $55,339 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,785 | $3,134 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,208 | $7,905 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 11.0% |
| Average sales tax | 9.45% | 10.0% |
Cost-of-living data for Lafayette and New Orleans comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated September 2026 across 29+ Louisiana moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in New Orleans are 38% lower than in Lafayette. The gap typically frees up several hundred dollars a month for savings or a larger unit.
- Home prices in New Orleans are 20% higher than Lafayette. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in New Orleans is 10% lower than Lafayette. A same-role transfer typically requires offsetting the salary gap with cost-of-living savings.
- Cost of living for one person in New Orleans is 76% higher than Lafayette. Plan to add roughly 76% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in New Orleans is 88% higher than Lafayette. Childcare, healthcare, and housing typically drive the gap.
- Unemployment in New Orleans runs 90% higher than Lafayette. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in New Orleans are 6% higher than Lafayette. The difference adds up on big-ticket purchases like appliances, electronics, and furniture.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,280 in New Orleans to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Lafayette.
How life is different in Lafayette vs. New Orleans
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in New Orleans might look different from Lafayette in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Lafayette | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,374 | 383,997 |
| Political leaning | Republican 60-38 | Democratic 51-46 |
| Summer high | 92ºF | 92ºF |
| Winter low | 61ºF | 45ºF |
| Annual rain | 62" | 64" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 45.75 | 67.31 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Louisiana can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 24% of movers in Louisiana, vs 33% nationally).
- New Orleans is 216% larger in size than Lafayette. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, New Orleans voted Democratic and Lafayette voted Republican.
- Summer highs in New Orleans (92°F) match Lafayette (92°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in New Orleans reach 45°F, colder than Lafayette's 61°F. Plan for higher heating costs and winterization needs.
- Annual rainfall in Lafayette (62 inches) and New Orleans (64 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Lafayette and New Orleans is effectively zero. No winter weather budget or gear adjustments required.
- Crime index in New Orleans (67.31) is higher than Lafayette (45.75). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.
Things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans's lifestyle is defined by outdoor recreation, museums and cultural venues, professional and college sports, and a strong university presence. Top destinations in each category appear below.
Museums in New Orleans
- The National WWII Museum
- Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
- The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
- New Orleans Museum of Art
Parks in New Orleans
- New Orleans City Park
- Audubon Park
- New Orleans Musical Legends Park
- Louis Armstrong Park
- Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Sports teams in New Orleans
- New Orleans Saints (NFL)
- New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
- New Orleans Jesters (NPSL)
- Big Easy Rollergirls (WFTDA)
Universities in New Orleans
- Tulane University
- Loyola University New Orleans
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- University of Holy Cross
- Dillard University
Final verdict: Lafayette to New Orleans movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Louisiana service. For smaller moves, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.48/5) is the top local choice, with 91.5% positive reviews across 235 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $149 - $4,635, based on our analysis of 29+ Louisiana movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Lafayette to New Orleans
What time of year is the cheapest to move to New Orleans?
The cheapest time to move to New Orleans is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
How far in advance should I book Lafayette-to-New Orleans movers?
Book your Lafayette to New Orleans movers at least 2 months ahead, or 3 months for a summer move since that's peak season. Booking early improves your odds of getting your preferred date and better rates, and some companies offer early-bird discounts. Since this is an intrastate move, same-day or next-day delivery is often available once your booking is confirmed.
How much is a moving truck from Lafayette to New Orleans?
A rental truck from Lafayette to New Orleans costs $149 - $240 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $162 - $291 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $180 - $313 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
How much are moving container companies from Lafayette to New Orleans?
Moving containers from Lafayette to New Orleans cost $498 - $1,276 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $909 - $1,818, and a larger home costs $1,254 - $2,184.
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Lafayette to New Orleans?
A full-service move from Lafayette to New Orleans costs $621 - $2,377 for a few items or a small bedroom. A 2 - 3 bedroom home runs $1,206 - $3,660, and a 4-bedroom or larger move costs $1,611 - $4,635.
