($746+) Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $746 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,383 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,224 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 $2,110, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,383 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,200 - $4,496, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $746 - $2,104.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,592 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 Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Philadelphia to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,592 - $6,137 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 69% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,224 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,224-mile route from Philadelphia to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,110 - $4,887 | $1,200 - $2,204 | $746 - $1,393 | $1,159 - $2,130 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,592 - $6,137 | $1,692 - $3,298 | $815 - $1,760 | $1,341 - $2,716 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,623 - $8,383 | $2,203 - $4,496 | $982 - $2,104 | $1,693 - $3,597 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers for the 1,224-mile relocation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $2,110 and $8,383. 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 Philadelphia typically charge a base rate around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,110 - $4,887
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,592 - $6,137
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,623 - $8,383
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 Philadelphia to New Orleans.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In New Orleans, 48% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $516 - $5,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $206 - $1,238/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,477 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% 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 items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,032 - $2,580 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $826 - $3,612 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $310 - $1,548 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $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 Philadelphia to New Orleans?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Louisiana Motor Transport Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Philadelphia, PA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,200 and $4,496. 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 Philadelphia runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,200 - $2,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,692 - $3,298
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,203 - $4,496
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Philadelphia, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $722, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $77 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $155 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Philadelphia, PA, and New Orleans, LA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania 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 $1,200. 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 $1,692 - $3,298.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,224 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to New Orleans, Louisiana, running $746 - $2,104. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $402 - $459
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $746 - $1,393
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $815 - $1,760
- 4+ bedrooms: $982 - $2,104
Pro tip: A rental truck from Philadelphia to New Orleans looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $746 - $2,104. But once you factor in fuel ($402 - $459), overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $77 and $361.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $155.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $402 and $459 for the 1,224-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $722 for 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,341 and $2,716.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,159 - $2,130
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,716
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,597
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $77 and $155.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly five hours typically average $722.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Philadelphia to New Orleans. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs New Orleans, LA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and New Orleans to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 102. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,755/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 58. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 32.69.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania alone has 235 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,224-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,224-mile route from Philadelphia, PA, to New Orleans, LA, run $2,110 - $8,383 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,200 - $4,496, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $746 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,592, 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 Philadelphia, PA, to New Orleans, LA
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $746 to $8,383, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,110 and $8,383, 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 Philadelphia, PA 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 $815 - $1,760. 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 ($402 - $459), 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 Philadelphia, PA to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.