($598+) Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Dayton, OH, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $598 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,825 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 968 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 $2,117, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,825 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,106 - $3,975, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $598 - $1,707.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dayton, OH, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,568 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 Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Dayton to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,568 - $5,960 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 73% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 968 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 968-mile route from Dayton to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,117 - $4,582 | $1,106 - $2,178 | $598 - $1,252 | $1,046 - $1,791 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,568 - $5,960 | $1,524 - $3,027 | $687 - $1,347 | $1,173 - $2,398 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,081 - $7,825 | $2,015 - $3,975 | $811 - $1,707 | $1,518 - $3,058 |
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 Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 968-mile move from Dayton, Ohio, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with prices running from $2,117 - $7,825. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $252 - $1,680 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Dayton and Lafayette are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Dayton movers tend to run around $330 as a base rate plus $140/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dayton to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,117 - $4,582
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,568 - $5,960
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,081 - $7,825
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 Dayton to Lafayette.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Dayton 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 packing71% of local movers | $420 - $4,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Lewis & Michael Moving & Storage, Inc. | $168 - $1,008/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $252 - $2,016 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $840 - $2,520 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,100 - $8,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $629 - $1,195 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items15% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $840 - $2,100 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc | $672 - $2,940 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $252 - $1,260 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $546 - $1,680 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $252 - $12,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $252 - $2,940+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dayton 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 Dayton, OH, 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 Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Dayton, Ohio, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,106 and $3,975. 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 Dayton adds around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dayton to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,106 - $2,178
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $3,027
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,015 - $3,975
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $588 in Dayton, OH. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $63 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $126 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Lafayette, LA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Ohio 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 $1,106. 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 $1,524 - $3,027.
What are the best moving containers Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 25 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck for this 968-mile move from Dayton, Ohio, to Lafayette, Louisiana, costs between $598 and $1,707. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $259 - $296
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Dayton daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Dayton to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $687 - $1,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $811 - $1,707
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $598 - $1,707 does not include fuel ($259 - $296), lodging ($126/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Dayton to Lafayette typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $126 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 Dayton, Ohio, usually costs about $588 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 968-mile drive falls between $259 and $296, 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 $42 and $252 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dayton 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 Dayton, OH to Lafayette, LA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Dayton, Ohio, 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 $1,173 and $2,398.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dayton to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,791
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,173 - $2,398
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,518 - $3,058
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?
- 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 Dayton, Ohio, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $588.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $63 and $126 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Dayton 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: 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: Dayton, OH vs Lafayette, LA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Dayton and Lafayette to plan around. Cost of living index: 80 vs. 90. Average rent: $925/mo vs. $2,825/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 42. Safety index: 40.68 vs. 54.25.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Dayton, OH guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Ohio to Louisiana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 282 movers in our Ohio network to compare for this 968-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Dayton, OH, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,117 for a studio to $7,825 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 968-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,106 - $3,975. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $598 - $1,707, 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 $2,568 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 Dayton, OH, to Lafayette, LA
What do local movers charge in Dayton?
Local movers based in Dayton typically start around $330 as a base rate, plus $140/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.
How long does a move from Dayton, OH 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Dayton, OH 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 $687 - $1,347. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 40.68 and 4.0 in Dayton. 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 Dayton movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Dayton handle piano moves, and 15% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.