($699+) Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Lafayette, LA, runs anywhere from $699 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,202 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,163 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 $2,072, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,202 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,190 - $4,184, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $699 - $2,048.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, 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.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Virginia Beach 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 $2,568 - $5,761. Moving containers run about 41% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 69% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,163-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 1,163-mile route from Virginia Beach to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,072 - $4,800 | $1,190 - $2,204 | $699 - $1,358 | $1,103 - $2,003 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,568 - $5,761 | $1,517 - $3,258 | $787 - $1,730 | $1,201 - $2,381 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,323 - $8,202 | $2,200 - $4,184 | $998 - $2,048 | $1,710 - $3,215 |
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,163-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,072 - $8,202. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $297 - $1,980. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Virginia Beach and Lafayette. Local movers in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate plus $97/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,072 - $4,800
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,568 - $5,761
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,323 - $8,202
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 Virginia Beach to Lafayette.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Virginia Beach 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 packing67% of local movers | $495 - $4,950 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $198 - $1,188/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $297 - $2,376 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% 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: Atlantic Beach Movers | $990 - $2,475 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $792 - $3,465 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $297 - $1,485 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $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 Virginia Beach 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Virginia Beach, VA. 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,190 and $4,184. 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 Virginia Beach typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,190 - $2,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,517 - $3,258
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,184
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 Virginia Beach, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $693, 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 $74 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $149 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Virginia Beach, 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 $1,190. 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 $1,517 - $3,258.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Southside Moving and Storage (3.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,163 miles from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Lafayette, Louisiana, running $699 - $2,048. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $366 - $419
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $699 - $1,358
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $787 - $1,730
- 4+ bedrooms: $998 - $2,048
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $699 - $2,048 when pricing out a rental truck from Virginia Beach to Lafayette. Fuel alone runs $366 - $419, and overnight lodging ($149/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
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 $366 and $419 for the 1,163-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 Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA
For larger DIY moves from Virginia Beach, 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 a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,201 and $2,381.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,103 - $2,003
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,201 - $2,381
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,710 - $3,215
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Virginia Beach, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $693.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $149 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach to Lafayette?
- 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.
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Virginia Beach 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: Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Virginia Beach, VA | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 105 | 90 |
| Average rent | $1,950/mo | $2,825/mo |
| Median home value | $366,324 | $249,492 |
| Average income | $90,685/yr | $61,454/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 58.0/100 | 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 Virginia Beach, 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 1,163-mile move.
Our take
A move from Virginia Beach, VA, 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 $2,072 - $8,202 on the 1,163-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,190 - $4,184, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $699 - $2,048. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,568 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 Virginia Beach, VA, to Lafayette, LA
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 33 and 42 in Virginia Beach. 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 ($366 - $419), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $149/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What is the best time of year to move from Virginia Beach, VA to Lafayette, LA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. Louisiana also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
What percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.