($714+) St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $714 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,608 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,204 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,167, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,608 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,247 - $4,358, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $714 - $2,100.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,798 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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from St. Paul 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 $2,798 - $6,818. Moving containers run about 46% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 71% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,204-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 1,204-mile route from St. Paul to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,167 - $5,325, container $1,247 - $2,338, rental truck $714 - $1,463, freight trailer $1,101 - $2,167.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,798 - $6,818, container $1,512 - $3,035, rental truck $813 - $1,722, freight trailer $1,223 - $2,607.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,940 - $8,608, container $2,112 - $4,358, rental truck $1,001 - $2,100, freight trailer $1,725 - $3,216.
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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,204-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,167 - $8,608. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $292 - $1,944. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and Lafayette. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,167 - $5,325
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,798 - $6,818
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,940 - $8,608
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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul 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 packing82% of local movers | $486 - $4,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $194 - $1,166/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,333 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $972 - $2,916 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,430 - $9,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $728 - $1,383 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $972 - $2,430 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $778 - $3,402 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $292 - $1,458 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $632 - $1,944 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,402+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Lafayette?
Look for Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Louisiana beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in St. Paul, MN. 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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,247 and $4,358. 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 St. Paul adds around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,247 - $2,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,512 - $3,035
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,112 - $4,358
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $73 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $146 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 $680 in St. Paul, MN. 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 Minnesota 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 $1,247. 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 $1,512 - $3,035.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck for this 1,204-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $714 and $2,100. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $372 - $426
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,463
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $813 - $1,722
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,001 - $2,100
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from St. Paul to Lafayette starts at $714 - $2,100, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($372 - $426), overnight lodging ($146/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $680.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $372 - $426 for the 1,204-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $58 and $316, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 1,204-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $292 - $437.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA
For larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Lafayette, Louisiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,223 and $2,607.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,101 - $2,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,223 - $2,607
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,216
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?
- 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $680.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Lafayette?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
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: St. Paul, MN vs Lafayette, LA
Good news for your budget: Lafayette isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than St. Paul. Cost of living index runs 90 there against 102 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 here versus 42/100 and 54.25/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Louisiana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 151 movers licensed in Minnesota, useful context for sizing up this 1,204-mile move.
Our take
A move from St. Paul, MN, 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 $2,167 - $8,608 on the 1,204-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,247 - $4,358, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $714 - $2,100. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,798 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 St. Paul, MN, to Lafayette, LA
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 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Paul, MN 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 $813 - $1,722. 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 St. Paul, MN to Lafayette, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 St. Paul?
Local movers based in St. Paul typically start around $243 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 percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.