How much do movers cost in New Orleans, LA?

Local New Orleans moves are normally charged by the hour for a truck and crew, so the total depends on how much you're moving, stairs or lifts at either end, and how much packing you want the crew to do. Long-distance moves out of New Orleans are priced on shipment weight and mileage. Getting two or three written estimates is the only reliable way to see your real price.

Do I need an interstate mover to leave Louisiana?

Yes. Any mover crossing a state line must be registered with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number. For a move that stays inside Louisiana, a local in-state mover is all you need.

When is the cheapest time to move in New Orleans?

Midweek dates in the middle of the month, outside the May-to-September peak, are usually the cheapest. Booking three to six weeks ahead also gives you more choice of crews.

How far in advance should I book New Orleans movers?

Four to six weeks is comfortable for a local move. Allow six to eight weeks for a long-distance move or any move landing on a month-end or summer weekend.

Movers in New Orleans, LA

Moving to or from New Orleans? See what local and long-distance moves cost, what to check before you book, and get quotes without calling around.

New Orleans has an estimated population of 364,136 (US Census Bureau, 2023).

Moving to New Orleans: the essentials to know

New Orleans sits along a bend of the Mississippi River near the Gulf Coast in southeastern Louisiana, much of it below sea level and protected by a system of levees and pumps. Interstates 10 and 610 run through the city, connecting neighborhoods like the French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny, and Uptown. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is located in Kenner, just west of the city.

Housing in New Orleans includes historic shotgun houses, Creole cottages, and raised structures in older neighborhoods, alongside newer apartment buildings in the Warehouse District and elsewhere. Given the city's flood history and the age of much of its housing stock, it is worth asking your landlord, building manager, or a local mover about any flood-related building requirements and how narrow historic streets might affect moving logistics.

New Orleans has a hurricane season from June through November, and many residents avoid scheduling moves during storm watches, preferring the cooler months from late fall through early spring. Tulane University and a tourism-driven economy shape some rental turnover, especially around the start of the academic year. Local moves often connect New Orleans with Metairie, Kenner, and the Northshore, while long-distance moves commonly follow I-10 toward Baton Rouge or Houston.

Sources: City of New Orleans, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, New Orleans Aviation Board, National Weather Service New Orleans, US Census Bureau.

What moving in New Orleans actually looks like

New Orleans is the largest city we cover in Louisiana, home to roughly 8% of the state's residents, spread over about 169.5 square miles of land (US Census Bureau Gazetteer, 2023). In areas built at this density, homes are usually a mix of houses and apartments. As a general rule, stairs, narrow streets and parking on move day tend to affect an hourly quote more than the furniture does, so confirm access at both ends with your mover.

Movers serving New Orleans generally cover the surrounding area too, so a quote for New Orleans is usually valid for a move to or from nearby towns. Distances below are straight-line, measured between Census centre points.

Gretna, about 12 miles
Westwego, about 16 miles
Kenner, about 19 miles
Slidell, about 19 miles
Mandeville, about 24 miles
Covington, about 31 miles

What a move in New Orleans costs

A local move inside New Orleans is usually quoted hourly: a two- or three-person crew, a truck, and travel time. The size of your home drives the hours, and packing services, stairs, long carries and bulky items such as pianos or safes add to them.

A move from New Orleans to another state is priced differently, on the weight of your shipment and the distance it travels, plus any packing, storage or specialty handling. Ask every mover for the estimate type in writing: binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed.

Local move or long-distance move?

Staying inside Louisiana? That’s an in-state move and a local crew can handle it. Crossing the Louisiana state line makes it an interstate move, which needs a carrier registered with a USDOT number. Our call line routes you to the right kind of mover once you tell us which one you’re doing.

Before you book a New Orleans mover

Get at least three written estimates so you can compare like with like.
Check the mover’s USDOT or state licence number and current insurance.
Confirm what valuation coverage is included and what an upgrade costs.
Ask how they handle stairs, lifts, long carries and parking at both ends.
Never pay a large deposit in cash before the truck arrives.

Use the moving checklist

Common questions about moving in New Orleans

How much do movers cost in New Orleans, LA?: Local New Orleans moves are normally charged by the hour for a truck and crew, so the total depends on how much you're moving, stairs or lifts at either end, and how much packing you want the crew to do. Long-distance moves out of New Orleans are priced on shipment weight and mileage. Getting two or three written estimates is the only reliable way to see your real price.
Do I need an interstate mover to leave Louisiana?: Yes. Any mover crossing a state line must be registered with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number. For a move that stays inside Louisiana, a local in-state mover is all you need.
When is the cheapest time to move in New Orleans?: Midweek dates in the middle of the month, outside the May-to-September peak, are usually the cheapest. Booking three to six weeks ahead also gives you more choice of crews.
How far in advance should I book New Orleans movers?: Four to six weeks is comfortable for a local move. Allow six to eight weeks for a long-distance move or any move landing on a month-end or summer weekend.

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