($471+) McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $471 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,495 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 694 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 $1,448, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,495 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,022 - $3,393, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $471 - $1,374.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,231 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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from McAllen to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,231 - $5,761 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 76% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 694-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 694-mile route from McAllen to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,448 - $4,202 | $1,022 - $1,759 | $471 - $909 | $865 - $1,650 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,231 - $5,761 | $1,259 - $2,615 | $540 - $1,046 | $1,060 - $1,990 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,783 - $7,495 | $1,755 - $3,393 | $654 - $1,374 | $1,389 - $2,689 |
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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
Hiring full-service movers from McAllen, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $1,448 and $7,495. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 694-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $259 - $1,728, 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 McAllen and New Orleans. For a rough baseline, movers based in McAllen tend to start around $160 plus $80/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 McAllen to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,448 - $4,202
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,231 - $5,761
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,783 - $7,495
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 McAllen to New Orleans.
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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen 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 packing50% of local movers | $432 - $4,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $173 - $1,037/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $259 - $2,074 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $864 - $2,592 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,160 - $8,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $647 - $1,229 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $864 - $2,160 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $691 - $3,024 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $259 - $1,296 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $562 - $1,728 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $259 - $12,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $259 - $3,024+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in McAllen, TX. 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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,022 and $3,393. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to New Orleans. If you go over that window, storage in McAllen adds around $55/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,022 - $1,759
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,259 - $2,615
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,755 - $3,393
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 $605 in McAllen, TX. 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 $65 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $130 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 Texas 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 $1,022. 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 $1,259 - $2,615.
What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 694-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $471 and $1,374, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $191 - $218
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $471 - $909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $540 - $1,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $654 - $1,374
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $471 - $1,374 when pricing out a rental truck from McAllen to New Orleans. Fuel alone runs $191 - $218, and overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $130 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 McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $605 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 694-mile drive falls between $191 and $218, 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 $43 and $259 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, 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 $1,060 and $1,990.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $865 - $1,650
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,060 - $1,990
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,389 - $2,689
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?
- 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 $65 and $130.
- 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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly five hours typically average $605.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from McAllen 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: McAllen, TX vs New Orleans, LA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in New Orleans, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | McAllen, TX | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 102 |
| Average rent | $1,350/mo | $1,755/mo |
| Median home value | $173,919 | $300,283 |
| Average income | $60,165/yr | $55,339/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 11.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 58/100 |
| Safety index | 63.74/100 | 32.69/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to McAllen, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 843 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 694-mile move.
Our take
For a move from McAllen, TX, to New Orleans, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,448 for a studio to $7,495 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 694-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,022 - $3,393. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $471 - $1,374, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,231 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to New Orleans, LA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($191 - $218), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $130/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 41 and 46 in McAllen. 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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $471 to $7,495, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,448 and $7,495, 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 McAllen, TX 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 percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.