($871+) Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $819 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,729 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,334 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 $2,305, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,729 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,311 - $4,581, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $819 - $2,511.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,911 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 Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Lafayette: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,911 - $6,534. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,334-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,334-mile route from Philadelphia to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,305 - $4,978 with full-service movers, $1,311 - $2,598 with a container, $819 - $1,599 with a rental truck, or $1,242 - $2,292 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,911 - $6,534 full-service, $1,674 - $3,730 by container, $961 - $2,019 by rental truck, or $1,382 - $2,899 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,041 - $8,729 full-service, $2,439 - $4,581 by container, $1,232 - $2,511 by rental truck, or $1,874 - $3,968 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,334-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,305 - $8,729. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $295 - $1,968. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Philadelphia and Lafayette. Local movers in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,305 - $4,978
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,911 - $6,534
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,041 - $8,729
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 Philadelphia to Lafayette.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia 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 packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $197 - $1,181/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,362 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $984 - $2,952 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,460 - $9,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $737 - $1,400 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC | $640 - $1,968 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,444+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Lafayette?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Philadelphia, PA. 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 Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,311 and $4,581. 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 Philadelphia costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,311 - $2,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,674 - $3,730
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,439 - $4,581
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Philadelphia, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $689, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $74 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $148 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Philadelphia, PA, and Lafayette, LA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania 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 $1,311. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,674 - $3,730, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Transtar Moving Systems (4.9/5), 64 years in business
- Keep It Moving, LLC (4.2/5), 20 years in business
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,334 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette, Louisiana, running $819 - $2,511. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $418 - $477
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
| 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 Philadelphia to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $819 - $1,599
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $961 - $2,019
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,511
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Philadelphia to Lafayette starts at $819 - $2,511, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($418 - $477) , overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $74 and $344.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $148.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $418 and $477 for the 1,334-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $689 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Lafayette, Louisiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,382 and $2,899.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,242 - $2,292
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,899
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,874 - $3,968
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $74 and $148.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly five hours typically average $689.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia, PA vs Lafayette, LA
Philadelphia and Lafayette land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Philadelphia and 90 in Lafayette, and rent tracks closely too ($1,695/mo vs. $2,825/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (75 vs 42) and safety scores (33.91 vs 54.25) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Louisiana in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 106 movers based in Pennsylvania, handy for sizing up options on this 1,334-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Philadelphia, PA, 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 $2,305 - $8,729 on the 1,334-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,311 - $4,581 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $819 - $2,511 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,911 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 Philadelphia, PA, to Lafayette, LA
What is the best time of year to move from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Louisiana also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($418 - $477), 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.
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 75 and 67 in Philadelphia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,305 to $8,729, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,305 and $8,729, 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 percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
