Cedar Rapids, IA → Lake Charles, LA · Long-distance move
About 965 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,220–$6,280, delivery in 2–5 days, 96 carriers on the Cedar Rapids side and 25 in Lake Charles.
The route from Cedar Rapids, IA to Lake Charles, LA covers roughly 965 miles by road, a south-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,220 to $6,280 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 17 h 20 min.
On the Cedar Rapids side there are 96 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (57 of them authorized for interstate work), and 25 around Lake Charles (18 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Lake Charles.
Cedar Rapids has a population of about 137,935 and Lake Charles about 80,000. The two cities have comparable density (1,910 and 1,788 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,690 | $2,060 | $2,510 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,530 | $3,090 | $3,770 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,220 | $5,140 | $6,280 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $6,750 | $8,230 | $10,040 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,280 | $11,320 | $13,810 |
$1,440–$2,030
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,880–$2,770
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,220–$6,280
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Cedar Rapids, IA → Lake Charles, LA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Crst Expedited INC
Legal name: Berns Moving INC
Legal name: Wgm Logistic Group INC
Legal name: James G Gobert INC
Legal name: Cbl Jones LLC
Legal name: Mike Hooks LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,690 to $2,510 for a studio, $2,530 to $3,770 for a one-bedroom, $4,220 to $6,280 for a two-bedroom, $6,750 to $10,040 for a three-bedroom and $9,280 to $13,810 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 965 road miles (817 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 20 min.
Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Iowa into Louisiana makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,440 to $2,030 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,880 to $2,770. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Cedar Rapids–Lake Charles corridor.