($674+) New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $674 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,918 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 998 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,039, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,918 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,151 - $3,716, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $674 - $1,848.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,395 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 New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from New Orleans to Richmond: 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 $2,395 - $6,065. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 70% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 998 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 998-mile route from New Orleans to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,039 - $4,831 | $1,151 - $1,991 | $674 - $1,278 | $1,056 - $1,868 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,395 - $6,065 | $1,423 - $3,030 | $729 - $1,490 | $1,149 - $2,284 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,269 - $7,918 | $1,877 - $3,716 | $896 - $1,848 | $1,550 - $2,941 |
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 New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
For the 998-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $2,039 and $7,918. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $298 - $1,984 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in New Orleans generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,039 - $4,831
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,395 - $6,065
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,269 - $7,918
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 New Orleans to Richmond.
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 New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Richmond, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $496 - $4,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $198 - $1,190/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $298 - $2,381 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $992 - $2,976 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,480 - $9,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $743 - $1,412 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $992 - $2,480 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $794 - $3,472 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $298 - $1,488 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $645 - $1,984 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $298 - $14,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $298 - $3,472+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Richmond?
Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Virginia, 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 New Orleans, LA. 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 New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,151 and $3,716. 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 New Orleans runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Orleans to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $1,991
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $3,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,877 - $3,716
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $149 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 $694 in New Orleans, LA, 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 Richmond, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana to Virginia 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 $1,151. 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 $1,423 - $3,030.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Richmond?
- 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans:
- AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business
- Moving Nola (5.0/5)
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 998 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, running $674 - $1,848. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $315 - $360
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- New Orleans 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 New Orleans to Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $674 - $1,278
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $896 - $1,848
Pro tip: A rental truck from New Orleans to Richmond looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $674 - $1,848. But once you factor in fuel ($315 - $360), overnight lodging ($149/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $149 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $64 and $322 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $315 - $360 in fuel for the 998-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $694 in New Orleans, Louisiana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Orleans to Richmond?
- 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 New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia. 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 $893 and $2,284.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,550 - $2,941
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 New Orleans, Louisiana, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $694.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $74 - $149 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 New Orleans to Richmond?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from New Orleans to Richmond, 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: New Orleans, LA vs Richmond, VA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between New Orleans and Richmond to plan around. Cost of living index: 102 vs. 95. Average rent: $1,755/mo vs. $1,595/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 58 vs. 51. Safety index: 32.69 vs. 51.55.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to Virginia 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 73 movers based in Louisiana, handy for sizing up options on this 998-mile route.
Our take
The 998-mile move from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA, costs between $2,039 and $7,918 with full-service movers, $1,151 - $3,716 with a moving container, and $674 - $1,848 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 $2,395 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 Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA
How long does a move from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($315 - $360), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $149/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA?
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 $729 - $1,490. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $674 to $7,918, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,039 and $7,918, 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 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.
What percentage of New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.