($680+) Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $680 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,818 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,147 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 $2,047, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,818 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,216 - $3,934, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $680 - $2,031.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Lafayette, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,399 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

Moving options from Chesapeake to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,399 - $5,846 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 37% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 69% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,147 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,147-mile route from Chesapeake to Lafayette, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,047 - $4,469 with full-service movers, $1,216 - $2,316 with a container, $680 - $1,294 with a rental truck, or $1,137 - $1,944 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,399 - $5,846 full-service, $1,503 - $3,101 by container, $734 - $1,603 by rental truck, or $1,190 - $2,580 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,229 - $7,818 full-service, $2,033 - $3,934 by container, $1,000 - $2,031 by rental truck, or $1,626 - $3,442 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

For the 1,147-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $2,047 and $7,818. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $295 - $1,968 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Chesapeake generally start around $290 plus $125 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,047 - $4,469
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,399 - $5,846
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,229 - $7,818

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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Chesapeake 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 packingFull crew packing68% of local movers$492 - $4,920
Storage in transitNew place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$197 - $1,181/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$295 - $2,362
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers$984 - $2,952
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,460 - $9,840
Car shippingSecond vehicle$737 - $1,400
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving$984 - $2,460
PianoAny piano type45% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$787 - $3,444
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers$295 - $1,476
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers$640 - $1,968
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$295 - $14,760+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$295 - $3,444+

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

Look for Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Louisiana beyond this list.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chesapeake, VA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,216 and $3,934. 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 Chesapeake adds around $100/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,316
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,503 - $3,101
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,033 - $3,934

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chesapeake, VA and Lafayette, LA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $689 in Chesapeake, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $74 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $148 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

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 $1,216. 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 $1,503 - $3,101.

What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Lafayette?

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

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
  • Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,147 miles from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, running $680 - $2,031. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $359 - $410
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $680 - $1,294
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $734 - $1,603
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,000 - $2,031

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $680 - $2,031 does not include fuel ($359 - $410), lodging ($148/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chesapeake 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?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $359 - $410 for the 1,147-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $689.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 1,147-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $148 per night, adding $295 - $443 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $295.

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

  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 Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $886 and $2,580.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,137 - $1,944
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,190 - $2,580
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,626 - $3,442

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

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 $148.
  • 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 Chesapeake, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $689.

What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Lafayette?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Lafayette, LA

Good news for your budget: Lafayette isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chesapeake. Cost of living index runs 90 there against 104 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 21/100 and 70.88/100 here versus 42/100 and 54.25/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Chesapeake, VA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 304 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 1,147-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Lafayette, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,047 for a studio to $7,818 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,147-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,216 - $3,934. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $680 - $2,031, 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 $2,399 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 Chesapeake, VA, to Lafayette, LA

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

How much does it cost to move from Chesapeake, VA to Lafayette, LA?

Costs on this route range from around $680 to $7,818, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,047 and $7,818, 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.

What is the cheapest way to move from Chesapeake, VA 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 $734 - $1,603. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($359 - $410), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Chesapeake, VA 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 percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 45% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.