($777+) Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $777 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,647 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,192 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,018, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,647 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,261 - $4,229, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $777 - $2,023.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,365 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington 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 $2,365 - $5,733. Containers cost roughly 33% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 67% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,192 miles, expect 2 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 1,192-mile route from Arlington to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,018 for a studio up to $7,647 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,261 - $4,229 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $777 - $2,023, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,091 - $3,182, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
For the 1,192-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $2,018 and $7,647. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $403 - $2,688 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,018 - $4,445
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,365 - $5,733
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,999 - $7,647
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 Arlington to Lafayette.
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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lafayette, 40% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $672 - $6,720 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $269 - $1,613/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $403 - $3,226 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,344 - $4,032 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,360 - $13,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,007 - $1,913 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,344 - $3,360 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,075 - $4,704 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $403 - $2,016 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $874 - $2,688 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $403 - $20,160+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $403 - $4,704+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Lafayette?
Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Louisiana, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Arlington, VA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,261 and $4,229. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Arlington typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $2,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,594 - $3,163
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,029 - $4,229
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $101 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $202 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $941 in Arlington, VA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Lafayette, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,261. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,594 - $3,163.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Lafayette?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,192 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, running $777 - $2,023. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $510 - $583
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Arlington to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $777 - $1,480
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $783 - $1,693
- 4+ bedrooms: $975 - $2,023
Pro tip: A rental truck from Arlington to Lafayette looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $777 - $2,023. But once you factor in fuel ($510 - $583), overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $941.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $510 - $583 for the 1,192-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 $81 and $437, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $202 per night for hotel stops on the 1,192-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $403 - $605.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Lafayette?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, 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 $1,210 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,091 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,237 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,742 - $3,182
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $101 - $202 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Arlington, Virginia, typically costs $941.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Arlington to Lafayette, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Lafayette, LA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Lafayette, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 54.25/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Louisiana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Virginia alone has 304 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,192-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,018 - $7,647 on the 1,192-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,261 - $4,229 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $777 - $2,023 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,365 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lafayette?
For families, Youngsville, Erath, and Maurice are worth a look in Lafayette. If you're moving solo or without kids, Saint Streets, Freetown-Port Rico, and Downtown Lafayette tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.