($452+) Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Nashville, TN, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $452 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,352 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 642 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,462, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,352 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,040 - $3,270, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $452 - $1,326.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Nashville, TN, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,291 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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Nashville 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 $2,291 - $5,570. Moving containers run about 47% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 642-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 642-mile route from Nashville to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,462 - $4,052 | $1,040 - $1,843 | $452 - $880 | $873 - $1,578 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,291 - $5,570 | $1,220 - $2,526 | $502 - $1,075 | $1,027 - $1,882 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,892 - $8,352 | $1,731 - $3,270 | $602 - $1,326 | $1,331 - $2,461 |
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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers for the 642-mile relocation from Nashville, Tennessee, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,462 and $8,352. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $297 - $1,980, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Nashville typically charge a base rate around $275 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Nashville to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,462 - $4,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,291 - $5,570
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,892 - $8,352
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 Nashville 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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Nashville 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 | $495 - $4,950 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $198 - $1,188/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $297 - $2,376 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $990 - $2,970 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,475 - $9,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $742 - $1,409 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $990 - $2,475 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $792 - $3,465 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $297 - $1,485 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $644 - $1,980 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $297 - $14,850+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $297 - $3,465+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Nashville to Lafayette?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Nashville, TN. 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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Nashville, Tennessee, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,040 and $3,270. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Nashville typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Nashville to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,843
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,526
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,731 - $3,270
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $149 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 $693 in Nashville, TN. 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 Tennessee 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 $1,040. 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 $1,220 - $2,526.
What are the best moving containers Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
Truck rentals from Nashville, Tennessee, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $452 - $1,326 for the 642-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $202 - $231
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Nashville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Nashville to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $452 - $880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $502 - $1,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $602 - $1,326
Pro tip: The base rate of $452 - $1,326 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Nashville to Lafayette. Fuel ($202 - $231), lodging at around $149/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $74 and $347.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $149.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $202 and $231 for the 642-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $693 for 2 movers in Nashville, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Nashville 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 Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA
For larger DIY moves from Nashville, Tennessee, 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 $1,027 and $1,882.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Nashville to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $873 - $1,578
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,027 - $1,882
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,331 - $2,461
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $74 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 Nashville, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $693.
What are the best freight companies from Nashville 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Nashville to Lafayette. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Nashville, TN 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 Nashville on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Nashville, TN | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 105 | 90 |
| Average rent | $1,971/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $382,847 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $75,197/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 96/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 50.9/100 | 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 Nashville, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 213 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 642-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Nashville, TN, to Lafayette, LA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,462 - $8,352 on the 642-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,040 - $3,270 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $452 - $1,326 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,291 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Nashville, TN, to Lafayette, LA
How long does a move from Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 Nashville?
Local movers based in Nashville typically start around $275 as a base rate, plus $120/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 Nashville, TN 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.
How much does it cost to move from Nashville, TN to Lafayette, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $452 to $8,352, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,462 and $8,352, 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.
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 96 and 72 in Nashville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Nashville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in Nashville handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.