($611+) Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Indianapolis, IN, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $611 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,747 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 899 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 $1,737, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,747 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,042 - $3,505, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $611 - $1,682.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Indianapolis, IN, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,397 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 Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Indianapolis to Lafayette: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,397 - $5,399. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 74% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 899-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 899-mile route from Indianapolis to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,737 - $4,484, container $1,042 - $2,049, rental truck $611 - $1,177, freight trailer $1,037 - $1,825.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,397 - $5,399, container $1,340 - $2,677, rental truck $627 - $1,318, freight trailer $1,162 - $2,253.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,790 - $7,747, container $1,878 - $3,505, rental truck $843 - $1,682, freight trailer $1,548 - $3,009.
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 Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 899-mile move from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $1,737 - $7,747. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $263 - $1,752. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Indianapolis and Lafayette. Local movers in Indianapolis typically start around $245 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Indianapolis to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,737 - $4,484
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,397 - $5,399
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,790 - $7,747
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 Indianapolis to Lafayette.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Indianapolis 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 | $438 - $4,380 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $175 - $1,051/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $263 - $2,102 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers | $876 - $2,628 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,190 - $8,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $656 - $1,247 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $876 - $2,190 |
| Piano | Any piano type37% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Leaders Moving & Storage Co. | $701 - $3,066 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $263 - $1,314 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Busy Bee Movers | $569 - $1,752 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $263 - $13,140+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $263 - $3,066+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Indianapolis 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Indianapolis, IN. 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 Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,042 and $3,505. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Indianapolis costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Indianapolis to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $2,049
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,340 - $2,677
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,505
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $66 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $131 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 $613 in Indianapolis, IN. 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 Indiana 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 $1,042. 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 $1,340 - $2,677.
What are the best moving containers Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis:
- Busy Bee Movers (4.1/5), 35 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.4/5), 15 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.6/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
Plan on $611 - $1,682 for a rental moving truck on the 899-mile route from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Lafayette, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $251 - $286
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Indianapolis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Indianapolis to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $611 - $1,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $627 - $1,318
- 4+ bedrooms: $843 - $1,682
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $611 - $1,682 when pricing out a rental truck from Indianapolis to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs $251 - $286, and overnight lodging ($131/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $251 - $286 for the 899-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 Indianapolis, Indiana, for about 5 hours typically costs around $613.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 899-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $131 per night, adding $263 - $394 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $44 and $263.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Indianapolis, Indiana, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Lafayette, Louisiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,162 and $2,253.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Indianapolis to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,162 - $2,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,548 - $3,009
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $66 - $131 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Indianapolis, Indiana, for about five hours typically runs $613.
What are the best freight companies from Indianapolis 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in Lafayette fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Indianapolis, IN vs Lafayette, LA
Good news for your budget: Lafayette isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Indianapolis. Cost of living index runs 90 there against 86 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 31/100 and 39.29/100 here versus 42/100 and 54.25/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Indianapolis, IN guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Indiana to Louisiana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Indiana alone has 137 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 899-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Indianapolis, IN, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,737 for a studio to $7,747 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 899-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,042 - $3,505. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $611 - $1,682, 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 $2,397 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 Indianapolis, IN, to Lafayette, LA
What is the best time of year to move from Indianapolis, IN 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.
How long does a move from Indianapolis, IN 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($251 - $286), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $131/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Indianapolis, IN 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 $627 - $1,318. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis, IN to Lafayette, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $611 to $7,747, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,737 and $7,747, 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.
What percentage of Indianapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 37% of movers in Indianapolis handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.