($598+) Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 968-mile move from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $2,016 - $8,072. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $289 - $1,928. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Lafayette and Chicago. Local movers in Lafayette typically start around $260 as a base rate plus $260/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lafayette to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,016 - $4,919
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,324 - $6,144
• 4+ bedrooms: $4,126 - $8,072

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 Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Lafayette movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Lafayette to Chicago?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,185 and $3,672. 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 Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Lafayette adds around $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lafayette to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,185 - $2,136
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,394 - $2,796
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,937 - $3,672

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 Lafayette, LA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $675, 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 $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $145 per month.
• Access: Most major container companies serve both Lafayette, LA, and Chicago, IL, 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.

What are the best moving containers Lafayette to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL

A rental truck for this 968-mile move from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $598 and $1,793. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $297 - $339
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Lafayette daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Lafayette to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,157
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $708 - $1,474
• 4+ bedrooms: $811 - $1,793

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $145 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 Lafayette, Louisiana, usually costs about $675 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 968-mile drive falls between $297 and $339, 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 $48 and $289 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Lafayette to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Lafayette, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, 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 $1,196 and $2,352.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lafayette to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,810
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,352
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,581 - $2,998

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
• Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Lafayette, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $675.
• More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $145 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Lafayette to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Lafayette, LA vs Chicago, IL

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Lafayette on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

A move from Lafayette, LA, to Chicago, IL, 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 $2,016 - $8,072 on the 968-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,185 - $3,672, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $598 - $1,793. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,324 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.