($571+) Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Lafayette, LA, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $571 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,505 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 790 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,771, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,505 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,022 - $3,507, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $571 - $1,445.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lafayette, LA, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,350 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 Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Lafayette to St. Petersburg: 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 $2,350 - $5,414. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 790 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 790-mile route from Lafayette to St. Petersburg, 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 $1,771 - $4,109 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,022 - $1,863), rental truck ($571 - $1,055), or freight trailer ($920 - $1,781). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,350 - $5,414 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,505.
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 Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
Full-service movers for the 790-mile relocation from Lafayette, Louisiana, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,771 and $7,505. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $286 - $1,904, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Lafayette typically charge a base rate around $260 plus $260 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lafayette to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,771 - $4,109
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,350 - $5,414
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,708 - $7,505
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 Lafayette to St. Petersburg.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Lafayette movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing60% of local movers | $476 - $4,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready40% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $190 - $1,142/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,285 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $952 - $2,856 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,380 - $9,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $713 - $1,355 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $952 - $2,380 |
| Piano | Any piano type20% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $762 - $3,332 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $286 - $1,428 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers (LA) | $619 - $1,904 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,332+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lafayette to St. Petersburg?
All three below meet the standards set by the Professional Movers Association of Florida, the group most Florida movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Lafayette, LA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,022 and $3,507. 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 Lafayette typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lafayette to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,022 - $1,863
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,717
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,781 - $3,507
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $143 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 $666 in Lafayette, LA, 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 St. Petersburg, FL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana to Florida 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 $1,022. 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 $1,382 - $2,717.
What are the best moving containers Lafayette to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette:
- Acadiana Movers (4.4/5), 16 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 15 years in business
- Reliable Movers LLC (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
Plan on $571 - $1,445 for a rental moving truck on the 790-mile route from Lafayette, Louisiana, to St. Petersburg, Florida. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $239 - $273
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Lafayette daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Lafayette to St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $571 - $1,055
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $588 - $1,277
- 4+ bedrooms: $772 - $1,445
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $571 - $1,445 does not include fuel ($239 - $273), lodging ($143/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Lafayette to St. Petersburg typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Lafayette, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $666.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $239 - $273 for the 790-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 $57 and $309, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $143 per night for hotel stops on the 790-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $286 - $428.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lafayette to St. Petersburg?
- 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 Lafayette, LA to St. Petersburg, FL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Lafayette, Louisiana, to St. Petersburg, Florida. 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 $857 and $2,152.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lafayette to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $920 - $1,781
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $2,152
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,497 - $2,889
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Lafayette, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $666.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $71 and $143 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Lafayette to St. Petersburg?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Lafayette to St. Petersburg, 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: Lafayette, LA vs St. Petersburg, FL
Lafayette and St. Petersburg land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 90 in Lafayette and 103 in St. Petersburg, and average rent is $2,825/mo vs. $2,075/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 42 vs 43 and safety scores are 54.25 vs 60.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Lafayette, LA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to Florida, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 73 movers licensed in Louisiana, useful context for sizing up this 790-mile move.
Our take
A move from Lafayette, LA, to St. Petersburg, FL, 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 $1,771 - $7,505 on the 790-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,022 - $3,507, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $571 - $1,445. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,350 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Lafayette, LA, to St. Petersburg, FL
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 do local movers charge in Lafayette?
Local movers based in Lafayette typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $260/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 St. Petersburg run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?
Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.
What are the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg?
For families, Crescent Heights, Holiday Park, and Euclid-St. Paul are worth a look in St. Petersburg. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Downtown, North Shore, and Crescent Lake tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, compared to 42 and 47 in Lafayette. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Lafayette movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 20% of movers in Lafayette handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.