($792+) Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $745 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,526 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,192 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 $2,097, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,526 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,233 - $4,573, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $745 - $2,058.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,586 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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington 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 $2,586 - $6,016. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,192-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 1,192-mile route from Arlington to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,097 - $5,101 with full-service movers, $1,233 - $2,384 with a container, $745 - $1,464 with a rental truck, or $1,157 - $2,210 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,586 - $6,016 full-service, $1,589 - $3,354 by container, $839 - $1,760 by rental truck, or $1,312 - $2,684 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,686 - $8,526 full-service, $2,151 - $4,573 by container, $1,108 - $2,058 by rental truck, or $1,847 - $3,658 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,192-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,097 - $8,526. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $403 - $2,688. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Arlington and Lafayette. Local movers in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $110/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,097 - $5,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,586 - $6,016
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,686 - $8,526
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 Arlington to Lafayette.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Lafayette, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $672 - $6,720 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $269 - $1,613/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $403 - $3,226 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,344 - $4,032 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,360 - $13,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,007 - $1,913 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,344 - $3,360 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,075 - $4,704 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $403 - $2,016 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $874 - $2,688 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $403 - $20,160+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $403 - $4,704+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,233 and $4,573. 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 Arlington costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,233 - $2,384
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,354
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,151 - $4,573
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 Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $941, 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 $101 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $202 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, and Lafayette, LA, 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,233. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,589 - $3,354, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
Truck rentals from Arlington, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, range from $745 - $2,058 for the 1,192-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $510 - $583
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $745 - $1,464
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $839 - $1,760
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,108 - $2,058
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $745 - $2,058 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs ($510 - $583) , and overnight lodging ($202/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $202 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $87 and $437 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $510 - $583 in fuel for the 1,192-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $941 in Arlington, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,312 and $2,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,157 - $2,210
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,847 - $3,658
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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $941.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $101 and $202 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Arlington to Lafayette, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA 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 Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 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 Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 104 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 1,192-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,097 for a studio to $8,526 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,192-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,233 - $4,573. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $745 - $2,058, 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 $2,586 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 Arlington, VA, to Lafayette, LA
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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 Arlington, VA 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 Arlington, VA to Lafayette, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,097 to $8,526, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,097 and $8,526, 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 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($510 - $583), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $202/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
