($725+) Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $725 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,544 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,190 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 $2,080, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,544 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,175 - $4,104, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $725 - $2,084.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lafayette, LA, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,777 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 Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Lafayette to Arlington: 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 $2,777 - $6,029. Containers cost roughly 45% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 73% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,190 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 1,190-mile route from Lafayette to Arlington, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,080 - $4,917 with full-service movers, $1,175 - $2,271 with a container, $725 - $1,339 with a rental truck, or $1,091 - $2,064 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,777 - $6,029 full-service, $1,530 - $3,226 by container, $759 - $1,593 by rental truck, or $1,237 - $2,506 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,607 - $8,544 full-service, $2,050 - $4,104 by container, $1,035 - $2,084 by rental truck, or $1,725 - $3,517 by freight.
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 Arlington, VA
For the 1,190-mile move from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Arlington, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $2,080 and $8,544. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $359 - $2,392 (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 Lafayette generally start around $260 plus $260 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lafayette to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,080 - $4,917
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,777 - $6,029
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,607 - $8,544
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 Arlington.
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 Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Lafayette movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing60% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready40% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| 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 | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type20% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers (LA) | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lafayette to Arlington?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Lafayette, LA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $1,175 and $4,104. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Lafayette typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lafayette to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,530 - $3,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,050 - $4,104
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $90 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $179 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 $837 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 Arlington, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana to Virginia 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 $1,175. 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 $1,530 - $3,226.
What are the best moving containers Lafayette to Arlington?
- 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 Arlington, VA
Plan on $725 - $2,084 for a rental moving truck on the 1,190-mile route from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Arlington, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $453 - $518
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $725 - $1,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $759 - $1,593
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,035 - $2,084
Pro tip: A rental truck from Lafayette to Arlington looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $725 - $2,084. But once you factor in fuel ($453 - $518), overnight lodging ($179/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $90 and $419.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $179.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $453 and $518 for the 1,190-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 $837 for 2 movers in Lafayette, Louisiana, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lafayette to Arlington?
- 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 Arlington, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Arlington, Virginia, 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 $1,237 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lafayette to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,091 - $2,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,237 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,517
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 Lafayette, Louisiana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $837.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $90 - $179 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 Lafayette to Arlington?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Lafayette to Arlington. 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 Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with Lafayette on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Lafayette, LA | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 164 |
| Average rent | $2,825/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $249,492 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $61,454/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.25% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 54.25/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA 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 Virginia, 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 1,190-mile move.
Our take
A move from Lafayette, LA, to Arlington, VA, 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 $2,080 - $8,544 on the 1,190-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,175 - $4,104, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $725 - $2,084. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,777 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 U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Lafayette, LA, to Arlington, VA
How long does a move from Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA?
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. Virginia 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Lafayette, LA to Arlington, VA?
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 Arlington a safe place to live?
Arlington has a safety index of 79.15 out of 100 and a crime index of 15.67, compared to 54.25 and 45.75 in Lafayette. 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 Arlington?
Arlington has a walkability score of 71 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, 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.