($1,009+) Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA ranges from $1,189 to $10,458, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $1,009 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,745 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Santa Ana to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,189 - $10,458 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 64% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,745 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,745-mile route from Santa Ana 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 $1,189 - $5,326 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,503 - $2,725), rental truck ($999 - $1,941), or freight trailer ($1,313 - $2,477). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,996 - $6,873 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,458.
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 Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA
Hiring full-service movers from Santa Ana, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $1,189 and $10,458. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,745-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $405 - $2,700, 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 Santa Ana and Lafayette. For a rough baseline, movers based in Santa Ana tend to start around $185 plus $75/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 Santa Ana to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,189 - $5,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,996 - $6,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,972 - $10,458
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 Santa Ana to Lafayette.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lafayette, 40% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $675 - $6,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $270 - $1,620/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $405 - $3,240 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,350 - $4,050 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,375 - $13,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,011 - $1,921 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,350 - $3,375 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,080 - $4,725 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $405 - $2,025 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $878 - $2,700 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $405 - $20,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $405 - $4,725+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA. 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 Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,503 and $4,962. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Lafayette. If you go over that window, storage in Santa Ana adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,503 - $2,725
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,980 - $3,774
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,497 - $4,962
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 Santa Ana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $945, 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 $101 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $203 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Santa Ana, CA, 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 California 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 $1,503. 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 $1,980 - $3,774.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Lafayette, LA
Truck rentals from Santa Ana, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $999 - $2,909 for the 1,745-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $750 - $857
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $999 - $1,941
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,309
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,445 - $2,909
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to Lafayette starts at $999 - $2,909, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($750 - $857), overnight lodging ($203/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $750 - $857 for the 1,745-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $945.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,745-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $203 per night, adding $405 - $608 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $68 and $405.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA 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 Santa Ana, California, 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 $1,448 and $2,958.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,313 - $2,477
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,448 - $2,958
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,141 - $4,176
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $101 - $203 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Santa Ana, California, typically costs $945.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana 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: If speed matters on your move from Santa Ana 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: Santa Ana, CA 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 54.25/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,745-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,745-mile route from Santa Ana, CA, to Lafayette, LA, run $1,189 - $10,458 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,503 - $4,962, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $999 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,996, 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 LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to Lafayette, LA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($750 - $857), daily insurance ($41/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $203/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, CA 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.
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.
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 45.83 and 54.17 in Santa Ana. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.