($641+) Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $641 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,528 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,000 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 $1,864, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,528 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,207 - $3,836, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $641 - $1,813.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,229 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Richmond 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 $2,229 - $5,745. Containers cost roughly 34% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 68% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,000 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,000-mile route from Richmond to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,864 - $4,731, container $1,207 - $2,097, rental truck $641 - $1,217, freight trailer $1,004 - $1,944.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,229 - $5,745, container $1,480 - $2,886, rental truck $720 - $1,504, freight trailer $1,195 - $2,261.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,807 - $7,528, container $2,076 - $3,836, rental truck $923 - $1,813, freight trailer $1,613 - $3,192.
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 Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Hiring full-service movers from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $1,864 and $7,528. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,000-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $293 - $1,956, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Richmond and New Orleans. For a rough baseline, movers based in Richmond tend to start around $360 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,864 - $4,731
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,229 - $5,745
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,807 - $7,528
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 Richmond to New Orleans.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Richmond movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In New Orleans, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect6% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,207 and $3,836. 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 Richmond runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,207 - $2,097
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,480 - $2,886
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,076 - $3,836
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $685 in Richmond, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $147 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your New Orleans, LA, destination before booking.
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 $1,207. 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 $1,480 - $2,886.
What are the best moving containers Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,000-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $641 and $1,813, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $311 - $356
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Richmond 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 Richmond to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $641 - $1,217
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $720 - $1,504
- 4+ bedrooms: $923 - $1,813
Pro tip: The base rate of $641 - $1,813 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Richmond to New Orleans. Fuel ($311 - $356), lodging at around $147/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Richmond, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $685.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $311 - $356 for the 1,000-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $59 and $318, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $147 per night for hotel stops on the 1,000-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $293 - $440.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond 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 Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,195 and $2,261.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,004 - $1,944
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,261
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,192
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Richmond, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $685.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $147 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 Richmond to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Richmond 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: Richmond, VA vs New Orleans, LA
Richmond and New Orleans land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 95 in Richmond and 102 in New Orleans, and average rent is $1,595/mo vs. $1,755/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 51 vs 58 and safety scores are 51.55 vs 32.69.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Louisiana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 304 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 1,000-mile move.
Our take
The 1,000-mile move from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA, costs between $1,864 and $7,528 with full-service movers, $1,207 - $3,836 with a moving container, and $641 - $1,813 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,229 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($311 - $356), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is New Orleans?
New Orleans has a walkability score of 58 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $641 to $7,528, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,864 and $7,528, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Richmond?
Local movers based in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in New Orleans run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.