($848+) Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $848 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,762 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,074, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,762 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,252 - $4,328, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $848 - $2,374.
- 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 $2,671 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 is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,671 - $6,548. Containers cost roughly 34% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 68% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,334 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 1,334-mile route from Philadelphia 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 $2,074 - $4,608 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,252 - $2,480), rental truck ($848 - $1,652), or freight trailer ($1,220 - $2,165). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,671 - $6,548 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,762.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
For the 1,334-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $2,074 and $8,762. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $295 - $1,968 (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 Philadelphia generally start around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,074 - $4,608
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,671 - $6,548
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,438 - $8,762
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.
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 Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lafayette, 25% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $492 - $4,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% 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 coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% 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 items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $984 - $2,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $787 - $3,444 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $295 - $1,476 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $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?
All three below meet the standards set by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the group most Louisiana 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 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 $1,252 and $4,328. 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 Philadelphia runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,252 - $2,480
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,766 - $3,493
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,168 - $4,328
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $148 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Lafayette, LA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $689 in Philadelphia, PA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,252. 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 $1,766 - $3,493.
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:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA
Plan on $848 - $2,374 for a rental moving truck on the 1,334-mile route from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lafayette, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $848 - $1,652
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $864 - $1,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,142 - $2,374
Pro tip: The base rate of $848 - $2,374 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Philadelphia to Lafayette. Fuel ($418 - $477), lodging at around $148/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $148 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $64 and $320 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $418 - $477 in fuel for the 1,334-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $689 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 $2,605.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,220 - $2,165
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,400 - $2,605
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,844 - $3,643
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 Philadelphia 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia, PA vs Lafayette, LA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Lafayette to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 90. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $2,825/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 42. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 54.25.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Pennsylvania 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 235 movers in Pennsylvania, so you have real options to compare for this 1,334-mile move.
Our take
The 1,334-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Lafayette, LA, costs between $2,074 and $8,762 with full-service movers, $1,252 - $4,328 with a moving container, and $848 - $2,374 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,671 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA to Lafayette, LA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Lafayette a safe place to live?
Lafayette has a safety index of 54.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 45.75, compared to 33.91 and 66.09 in Philadelphia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
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 percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.