($732+) St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $732 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,053 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,188 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 $2,228, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,053 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,175 - $4,187, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $732 - $1,982.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,666 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 St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from St. Paul to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,666 - $6,718 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 71% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,188 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,188-mile route from St. Paul to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,228 - $5,110 with full-service movers, $1,175 - $2,316 with a container, $732 - $1,409 with a rental truck, or $1,135 - $2,105 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,666 - $6,718 full-service, $1,578 - $3,226 by container, $775 - $1,660 by rental truck, or $1,225 - $2,405 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,462 - $9,053 full-service, $2,114 - $4,187 by container, $965 - $1,982 by rental truck, or $1,742 - $3,283 by freight.
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 St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,188-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,228 - $9,053. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $306 - $2,040. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Paul and New Orleans. Local movers in St. Paul typically start around $243 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,228 - $5,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,666 - $6,718
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,462 - $9,053
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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of St. Paul 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 packing82% of local movers | $510 - $5,100 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $204 - $1,224/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $306 - $2,448 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,020 - $3,060 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,550 - $10,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $764 - $1,451 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $1,020 - $2,550 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $816 - $3,570 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $306 - $1,530 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $663 - $2,040 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $306 - $15,300+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $306 - $3,570+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. Paul, MN, 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 St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,175 and $4,187. 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 St. Paul runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,114 - $4,187
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 St. Paul, MN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $714, 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 $153 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Paul, MN, 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 Minnesota 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 $1,175. 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 $1,578 - $3,226.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul:
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
A rental truck for this 1,188-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $732 and $1,982. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $386 - $441
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 St. Paul to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $732 - $1,409
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $775 - $1,660
- 4+ bedrooms: $965 - $1,982
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $732 - $1,982 when pricing out a rental truck from St. Paul to New Orleans. Fuel alone runs $386 - $441, and overnight lodging ($153/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $77 and $357.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $153.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $386 and $441 for the 1,188-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 $714 for 2 movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN to New Orleans, LA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, 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 $918 and $2,405.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,135 - $2,105
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,225 - $2,405
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,742 - $3,283
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $153.
- 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 St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly five hours typically average $714.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in New Orleans fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs New Orleans, LA
Day-to-day costs in New Orleans are close to what you're used to in St. Paul: cost of living index of 102 versus 102, with average rent of $1,755/mo compared to $1,350/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 60/100 and 49.14/100 in St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Minnesota to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 151 movers in Minnesota, so you have real options to compare for this 1,188-mile move.
Our take
The 1,188-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to New Orleans, LA, costs between $2,228 and $9,053 with full-service movers, $1,175 - $4,187 with a moving container, and $732 - $1,982 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 $2,666 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 St. Paul, MN, to New Orleans, LA
What is the best time of year to move from St. Paul, MN 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.
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.
Is New Orleans a safe place to live?
New Orleans has a safety index of 32.69 out of 100 and a crime index of 67.31, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from St. Paul, MN 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 $775 - $1,660. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in New Orleans?
For families, Algiers Point, Bayou St. John, and East Carrollton are worth a look in New Orleans. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central Business District, Freret, and Gentilly Terrace tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.