($482+) Lafayette, LA to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $482 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,043 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 709 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,616, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,043 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,042 - $3,439, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $482 - $1,383.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lafayette, LA, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,321 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 Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Lafayette to Knoxville: 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 $2,321 - $5,747. Containers cost roughly 43% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 78% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 709 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 709-mile route from Lafayette to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,616 for a studio up to $8,043 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,042 - $3,439 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $482 - $1,383, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $966 - $2,564, 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 Lafayette, LA to Knoxville, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,616 and $8,043. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 709-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $272 - $1,816, 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 Lafayette and Knoxville. For a rough baseline, movers based in Lafayette tend to start around $260 plus $260/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 Lafayette to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,616 - $3,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,321 - $5,747
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,957 - $8,043
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 Knoxville.
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 Lafayette, LA to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Lafayette movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing60% of local movers | $454 - $4,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready40% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $182 - $1,090/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $272 - $2,179 |
| 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 | $908 - $2,724 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,270 - $9,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $680 - $1,292 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $908 - $2,270 |
| Piano | Any piano type20% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $726 - $3,178 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $272 - $1,362 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers (LA) | $590 - $1,816 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $272 - $13,620+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $272 - $3,178+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lafayette to Knoxville?
- 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 Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,042 and $3,439. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Lafayette costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lafayette to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,929
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,325 - $2,442
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,439
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $68 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $136 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 $636 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 Knoxville, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana to Tennessee 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 $1,042. 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 $1,325 - $2,442.
What are the best moving containers Lafayette to Knoxville?
- 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 Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $482 - $1,383 for the 709-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $205 - $234
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $482 - $923
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $520 - $1,085
- 4+ bedrooms: $685 - $1,383
Pro tip: A rental truck from Lafayette to Knoxville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $482 - $1,383. But once you factor in fuel ($205 - $234), overnight lodging ($136/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $136 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Lafayette, Louisiana, usually costs about $636 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 709-mile drive falls between $205 and $234, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $45 and $272 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lafayette to Knoxville?
- 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 Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Knoxville, Tennessee, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,050 and $1,953.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lafayette to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $966 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,050 - $1,953
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,564
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?
- 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 $636.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $68 and $136 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Lafayette to Knoxville?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Lafayette to Knoxville. 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: Lafayette, LA vs Knoxville, TN
Good news for your budget: Knoxville isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Lafayette. Cost of living index runs 92 there against 90 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 42/100 and 54.25/100 here versus 31/100 and 57.46/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Lafayette, LA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 73 movers in our Louisiana network to compare for this 709-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 709-mile route from Lafayette, LA, to Knoxville, TN, run $1,616 - $8,043 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,042 - $3,439, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $482 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,321, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Knoxville, TN
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($205 - $234), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $136/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Lafayette, LA to Knoxville, TN?
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 $520 - $1,085. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Lafayette, LA to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $482 to $8,043, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,616 and $8,043, 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 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 Knoxville run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.