Elizabeth, NJ → Lake Charles, LA · Cross-country move
About 1,519 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,130–$9,120, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,447 carriers on the Elizabeth side and 25 in Lake Charles.
The route from Elizabeth, NJ to Lake Charles, LA covers roughly 1,519 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $6,130 to $9,120 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 26 hours (3 driving days).
On the Elizabeth side there are 1,447 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (881 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.
Elizabeth has a population of about 141,675 and Lake Charles about 80,000. Elizabeth is considerably denser (11,162 people per square mile versus 1,788), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Louisiana than in New Jersey, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,450 | $2,990 | $3,650 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,680 | $4,480 | $5,470 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,130 | $7,470 | $9,120 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $9,810 | $11,960 | $14,590 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $13,480 | $16,440 | $20,060 |
$2,160–$3,050
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,380–$3,490
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,130–$9,120
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Elizabeth, NJ → 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: Piece Of Cake Moving + Storage LLC
Legal name: Maersk Logistics & Services USA INC
Legal name: Venus Global Consulting
Legal name: James G Gobert INC
Legal name: Cbl Jones LLC
Legal name: Mike Hooks LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,450 to $3,650 for a studio, $3,680 to $5,470 for a one-bedroom, $6,130 to $9,120 for a two-bedroom, $9,810 to $14,590 for a three-bedroom and $13,480 to $20,060 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,519 road miles (1,288 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 26 hours (3 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 New Jersey 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 $2,160 to $3,050 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,380 to $3,490. 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 Elizabeth–Lake Charles corridor.