($649+) Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $649 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,605 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 969 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,976, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,605 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $3,596, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $649 - $1,793.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,467 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 Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Chicago to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,467 - $5,789 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 969 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 969-mile route from Chicago to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,976 for a studio up to $7,605 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,163 - $3,596 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $649 - $1,793, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,057 - $2,967, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 969-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with prices running from $1,976 - $7,605. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $299 - $1,992 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Lafayette are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,976 - $4,321
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,467 - $5,789
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,925 - $7,605
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 Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago 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 | $498 - $4,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $199 - $1,195/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $299 - $2,390 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $996 - $2,988 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,490 - $9,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $746 - $1,417 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $996 - $2,490 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $797 - $3,486 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $299 - $1,494 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $647 - $1,992 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $299 - $14,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $299 - $3,486+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,163 and $3,596. 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 Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,136
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,767
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,858 - $3,596
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 Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $697, 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 $75 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $149 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, 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 Illinois 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 $1,163. 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 $1,466 - $2,767.
What are the best moving containers Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 969-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $649 and $1,793, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $307 - $351
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Chicago to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $649 - $1,145
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $647 - $1,446
- 4+ bedrooms: $845 - $1,793
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $649 - $1,793 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs $307 - $351, and overnight lodging ($149/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 $149 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 Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $697 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 969-mile drive falls between $307 and $351, 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 $50 and $299 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Lafayette, Louisiana, 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 $1,161 and $2,375.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,773
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,161 - $2,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,534 - $2,967
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $75 and $149.
- 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $697.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL 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 Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 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 Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois 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 314 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 969-mile route.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Lafayette, LA, 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 $1,976 - $7,605 on the 969-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,163 - $3,596, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $649 - $1,793. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,467 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 LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Lafayette, LA
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $647 - $1,446. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Chicago, IL 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.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.