($858+) Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $866 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,735 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,303 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

  • Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,228, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,735 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,355 - $4,443, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $866 - $2,307.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,855 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

There are 3 main ways to move from Wilmington to Lafayette: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,855 - $6,238. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,303 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,303-mile route from Wilmington to Lafayette, broken down by home size:

Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,228 - $5,058 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,355 - $2,548), rental truck ($866 - $1,558), or freight trailer ($1,268 - $2,249). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,855 - $6,238 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,735.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Hiring full-service movers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $2,228 and $8,735. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,303-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $295 - $1,968, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Wilmington and Lafayette. For a rough baseline, movers based in Wilmington tend to start around $334 plus $150/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Lafayette:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,228 - $5,058
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,855 - $6,238
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,689 - $8,735

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Wilmington to Lafayette.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Lafayette, 75% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$492 - $4,920
Storage in transitNew place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$197 - $1,181/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$295 - $2,362
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers$984 - $2,952
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,460 - $9,840
Car shippingSecond vehicle$737 - $1,400
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$984 - $2,460
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$787 - $3,444
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$295 - $1,476
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC$640 - $1,968
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$295 - $14,760+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$295 - $3,444+

What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Lafayette?

All three below meet the standards set by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the group most Louisiana movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Wilmington, DE. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,355 and $4,443. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Wilmington runs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Lafayette:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,548
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,817 - $3,626
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,275 - $4,443

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Wilmington, DE and Lafayette, LA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $689 in Wilmington, DE, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $74 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $148 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware to Louisiana move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,355. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,817 - $3,626, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Wilmington to Lafayette?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Wilmington to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Wilmington:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 12 years in business
  • Move Crew LLC (4.8/5), 0 years in business
  • Bayshore Transportation System, Inc. (4.5/5), 53 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Truck rentals from Wilmington, Delaware, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $866 - $2,307 for the 1,303-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $408 - $466
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Wilmington to Lafayette based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,558
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $927 - $1,949
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,131 - $2,307

Pro tip: A rental truck from Wilmington to Lafayette looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $866 - $2,307. But once you factor in fuel ($408 - $466) , overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $689.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $408 - $466 for the 1,303-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $320, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $148 per night for hotel stops on the 1,303-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $295 - $443.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington to Lafayette?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Wilmington, Delaware, to Lafayette, Louisiana. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $886 and $2,703.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Lafayette:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,268 - $2,249
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,411 - $2,703
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,802 - $3,741

Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Wilmington, Delaware, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $689.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $148 per additional foot to your total.
  • Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Lafayette?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Wilmington to Lafayette. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Wilmington, DE vs Lafayette, LA

Wilmington and Lafayette land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Wilmington and 90 in Lafayette, and rent tracks closely too ($1,812/mo vs. $2,825/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (74 vs 42) and safety scores (32.68 vs 54.25) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Wilmington, DE guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Delaware to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 9 movers in Delaware, so you have real options to compare for this 1,303-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Wilmington, DE, to Lafayette, LA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,228 - $8,735 on the 1,303-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,355 - $4,443, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $866 - $2,307. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,855 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include LHC Group and King-Patin.

FAQs: Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Lafayette, LA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($408 - $466), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA?

Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $927 - $1,949. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

How much does it cost to move from Wilmington, DE to Lafayette, LA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,228 to $8,735, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,228 and $8,735, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What do local movers charge in Wilmington?

Local movers based in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $150/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Lafayette run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.