($680+) Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $693 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,060 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,184, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,060 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,219 - $3,944, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $693 - $1,980.
- 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 $2,612 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 handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,612 - $5,852. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,000-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
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:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,184 - $4,825 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,219 - $2,358), rental truck ($693 - $1,290), or freight trailer ($1,108 - $2,122). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,612 - $5,852 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,060.
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 Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,000-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with prices running from $2,184 - $8,060. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $293 - $1,956 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Richmond and New Orleans are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Richmond movers tend to run around $360 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,184 - $4,825
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,612 - $5,852
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,995 - $8,060
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Richmond 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 packing95% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% 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 coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs89% 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 items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type68% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect32% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: WayForth LLC | $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?
Look for Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Louisiana beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 $1,219 and $3,944. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Richmond typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,219 - $2,358
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,553 - $3,060
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,159 - $3,944
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $73 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $147 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in New Orleans, LA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $685 in Richmond, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,219. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,553 - $3,060, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Heroes Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA
A rental truck for this 1,000-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $693 and $1,980. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $693 - $1,290
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $779 - $1,548
- 4+ bedrooms: $978 - $1,980
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Richmond to New Orleans starts at $693 - $1,980, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($311 - $356) , overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $311 - $356 for the 1,000-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Richmond, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $685.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,000-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $147 per night, adding $293 - $440 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $49 and $293.
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 a solid option for larger DIY moves from Richmond, Virginia, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $880 and $2,423.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,108 - $2,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,267 - $2,423
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,286
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $73 - $147 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Richmond, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Abilene Motor Express (4.5/5 stars): Abilene Motor Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to New Orleans quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Richmond, VA vs New Orleans, LA
Day-to-day costs in New Orleans are close to what you're used to in Richmond: cost of living index of 102 versus 95, with average rent of $1,755/mo compared to $1,595/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond versus 58/100 and 32.69/100 in New Orleans.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Louisiana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,000-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Richmond, VA, to New Orleans, LA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,184 - $8,060 on the 1,000-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,219 - $3,944 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $693 - $1,980 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,612 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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 is the best time of year to move from Richmond, VA 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.
How long does a move from Richmond, VA 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Richmond, VA 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 $779 - $1,548. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,184 to $8,060, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,184 and $8,060, 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 percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 68% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
