($672+) Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Detroit, MI, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $672 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,640 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,065 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 $2,134, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,640 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,195 - $4,043, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $672 - $1,791.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,610 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 Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Detroit 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 $2,610 - $6,351 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 73% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,065 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,065-mile route from Detroit to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,134 - $4,949 | $1,195 - $2,269 | $672 - $1,225 | $1,054 - $1,868 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,610 - $6,351 | $1,552 - $2,857 | $696 - $1,533 | $1,195 - $2,310 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,448 - $8,640 | $2,097 - $4,043 | $875 - $1,791 | $1,678 - $3,171 |
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 Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,065-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $2,134 - $8,640. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $288 - $1,920. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Detroit and New Orleans. Local movers in Detroit typically start around $248 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Detroit to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,134 - $4,949
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,610 - $6,351
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,448 - $8,640
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 Detroit 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 Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Detroit 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 | $480 - $4,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage | $192 - $1,152/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $288 - $2,304 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $960 - $2,880 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,400 - $9,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $719 - $1,366 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Handle With Care Moving | $960 - $2,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Men on the Move | $768 - $3,360 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $288 - $1,440 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect15% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $624 - $1,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $288 - $14,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $288 - $3,360+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Detroit 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Detroit, MI. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,195 and $4,043. 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 Detroit runs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,195 - $2,269
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,552 - $2,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,097 - $4,043
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $144 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 $672 in Detroit, MI. 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 Michigan 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 $1,195. 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 $1,552 - $2,857.
What are the best moving containers Detroit 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
- O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
- Men on the Move (4.6/5), 34 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,065 miles from Detroit, Michigan, to New Orleans, Louisiana, running $672 - $1,791. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $325 - $372
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Detroit 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 Detroit to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $672 - $1,225
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $696 - $1,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $875 - $1,791
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $672 - $1,791 when pricing out a rental truck from Detroit to New Orleans. Fuel alone runs $325 - $372, and overnight lodging ($144/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 $72 and $336.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $144.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $325 and $372 for the 1,065-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 $672 for 2 movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit 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 Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Detroit, Michigan, to New Orleans, Louisiana, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,195 and $2,310.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,054 - $1,868
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,310
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,171
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for about five hours typically runs $672.
What are the best freight companies from Detroit 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Detroit, MI vs New Orleans, LA
Detroit and New Orleans land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Detroit and 102 in New Orleans, and average rent is $1,250/mo vs. $1,755/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 51 vs 58 and safety scores are 27.08 vs 32.69.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Detroit, MI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan 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 173 movers in our Michigan network to compare for this 1,065-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Detroit, MI, to New Orleans, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,134 for a studio to $8,640 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,065-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,195 - $4,043. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $672 - $1,791, 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 $2,610 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 Detroit, MI, to New Orleans, LA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($325 - $372), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Detroit, MI 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 $696 - $1,533. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Detroit, MI to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $672 to $8,640, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,134 and $8,640, 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 do local movers charge in Detroit?
Local movers based in Detroit typically start around $248 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in New Orleans run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.