($1,351+) Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $1,351 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,769 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,485 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 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 $2,688, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $13,769 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,728 - $6,652, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,351 - $4,133.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tacoma, WA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,298 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 Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Tacoma to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $4,298 - $9,070 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 46% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 67% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,485 miles, this route usually takes 7 to 18 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,485-mile route from Tacoma 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 $2,688 - $6,519 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,728 - $3,553), rental truck ($1,351 - $2,803), or freight trailer ($1,604 - $3,198). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $4,298 - $9,070 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $13,769.
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 Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
For the 2,485-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Lafayette, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $2,688 and $13,769. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $329 - $2,196 (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 Tacoma generally start around $316 plus $133 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tacoma to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,688 - $6,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,298 - $9,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,237 - $13,769
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 Tacoma to Lafayette.
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 Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Tacoma 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 packing68% of local movers | $549 - $5,490 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage | $220 - $1,318/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $329 - $2,635 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs49% of local movers | $1,098 - $3,294 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,745 - $10,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $822 - $1,562 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $1,098 - $2,745 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $878 - $3,843 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $329 - $1,647 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Triple 7 Movers | $714 - $2,196 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $329 - $16,470+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $329 - $3,843+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tacoma to Lafayette?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Louisiana Motor Transport Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Tacoma, Washington, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,728 and $6,652. 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 Tacoma typically runs around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tacoma to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,728 - $3,553
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,309 - $4,750
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,242 - $6,652
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $82 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $165 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 $769 in Tacoma, WA, 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 Lafayette, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,728. 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 $2,309 - $4,750.
What are the best moving containers Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma:
- All Ready Moving & Storage (5.0/5), 22 years in business
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC (4.5/5), 16 years in business
- Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck for this 2,485-mile move from Tacoma, Washington, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $1,351 and $4,133. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $868 - $992
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Tacoma daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.89
| 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 Tacoma to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,351 - $2,803
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,432 - $3,145
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,981 - $4,133
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,351 - $4,133 when pricing out a rental truck from Tacoma to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs $868 - $992, and overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $165 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 Tacoma, Washington, usually costs about $769 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,485-mile drive falls between $868 and $992, 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 $55 and $329 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Tacoma, Washington, to Lafayette, Louisiana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,772 and $3,800.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tacoma to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,198
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,645 - $5,005
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?
- 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 $82 and $165.
- 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 Tacoma, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $769.
What are the best freight companies from Tacoma to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Lafayette quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Tacoma, WA vs Lafayette, LA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Lafayette, side by side with Tacoma on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tacoma, WA | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 123 | 90 |
| Average rent | $1,650/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $454,577 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $83,857/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 44.45/100 | 54.25/100 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA to Tacoma, WA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Louisiana 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 265 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 2,485-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Tacoma, WA, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,688 for a studio to $13,769 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,485-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,728 - $6,652. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,351 - $4,133, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $4,298 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Tacoma, WA, to Lafayette, LA
What do local movers charge in Tacoma?
Local movers based in Tacoma typically start around $316 as a base rate, plus $133/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 Lafayette run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Tacoma, WA 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.
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma, WA to Lafayette, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,351 to $13,769, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,688 and $13,769, 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.
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 54 and 48 in Tacoma. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($868 - $992), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $165/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Tacoma movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Tacoma handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.