($538+) Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Tampa, FL, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $502 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,374 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 656 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,302, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,374 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,029 - $3,584, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $502 - $1,431.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tampa, FL, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,105 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Tampa to New Orleans: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,105 - $5,301. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 656 miles, expect 1 to 6 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 656-mile route from Tampa to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,302 - $3,921 | $1,029 - $1,997 | $502 - $939 | $1,003 - $1,711 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,105 - $5,301 | $1,416 - $2,765 | $536 - $1,104 | $1,144 - $2,127 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,663 - $7,374 | $1,839 - $3,584 | $676 - $1,431 | $1,530 - $2,674 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers for the 656-mile relocation from Tampa, Florida, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,302 and $7,374. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $310 - $2,064, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Tampa typically charge a base rate around $266 plus $84 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tampa to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,302 - $3,921
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,105 - $5,301
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,663 - $7,374
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 Tampa to New Orleans.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Tampa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New Orleans, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $206 - $1,238/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,477 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,032 - $3,096 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,580 - $10,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $773 - $1,469 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items44% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $671 - $2,064 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,612+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tampa to New Orleans?
Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Louisiana, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Tampa, FL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Tampa, Florida, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,029 and $3,584. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Tampa runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tampa to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,029 - $1,997
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,416 - $2,765
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,839 - $3,584
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $155 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $722 in Tampa, FL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your New Orleans, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Florida 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 $1,029. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,416 - $2,765, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tampa to New Orleans?
- 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 Tampa 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 Tampa:
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC (4.7/5), 9 years in business
- Einstein Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Brothers EZ Moving (4.7/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
Plan on $502 - $1,431 for a rental moving truck on the 656-mile route from Tampa, Florida, to New Orleans, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $215 - $246
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tampa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.60 - $0.99
| 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 Tampa to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $502 - $939
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $536 - $1,104
- 4+ bedrooms: $676 - $1,431
Pro tip: A rental truck from Tampa to New Orleans looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $502 - $1,431. But once you factor in fuel ($215 - $246) , overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Tampa, Florida, usually costs about $722 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 656-mile drive falls between $215 and $246, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $52 and $310 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tampa to New Orleans?
- 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 Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Tampa, Florida, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,144 and $2,127.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tampa to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,003 - $1,711
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,144 - $2,127
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,530 - $2,674
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $77 - $155 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Tampa, Florida, typically costs $722.
What are the best freight companies from Tampa to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Tampa to New Orleans, 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: Tampa, FL vs New Orleans, LA
Good news for your budget: New Orleans isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Tampa. Cost of living index runs 102 there against 104 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 51/100 and 53.85/100 here versus 58/100 and 32.69/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Tampa, FL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida to Louisiana in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 229 movers based in Florida, handy for sizing up options on this 656-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 656-mile route from Tampa, FL, to New Orleans, LA, run $1,302 - $7,374 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,029 - $3,584, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $502 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,105, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Tampa, FL, to New Orleans, LA
How much does it cost to move from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,302 to $7,374, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,302 and $7,374, 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 Tampa, FL to New Orleans, 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 $536 - $1,104. 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 ($215 - $246), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $155/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from Tampa, FL to New Orleans, 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 percentage of Tampa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Tampa handle piano moves, and 44% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.