($1,191+) Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA Movers

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The cost to move from Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA ranges from $1,314 to $10,845, with an average cost of $4,100. Moves can be as low as $1,191 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,228 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

Moving options from Sacramento to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,314 - $10,845 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,100, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,228 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,228-mile route from Sacramento to New Orleans, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,314 - $5,376 $1,755 - $3,094 $1,216 - $2,374 $1,430 - $2,986
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,479 - $7,485 $2,056 - $4,477 $1,289 - $2,970 $1,801 - $3,616
4+ bedrooms $6,857 - $10,845 $3,091 - $5,819 $1,697 - $3,569 $2,426 - $5,043

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

Hiring full-service movers from Sacramento, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $1,314 and $10,845. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,228-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $351 - $2,340, 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 Sacramento and New Orleans. For a rough baseline, movers based in Sacramento tend to start around $287 plus $130/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 Sacramento to New Orleans:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,314 - $5,376
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,479 - $7,485
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,857 - $10,845

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 Sacramento to New Orleans.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Sacramento 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 packingFull crew packing78% of local movers$585 - $5,850
Storage in transitNew place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$234 - $1,404/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$351 - $2,808
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers$1,170 - $3,510
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,925 - $11,700
Car shippingSecond vehicle$876 - $1,665
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Fuller Moving Services$1,170 - $2,925
PianoAny piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Two Men and a Truck Moving$936 - $4,095
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers$351 - $1,755
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: A Better Moving$761 - $2,340
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$351 - $17,550+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$351 - $4,095+

What are the best full-service movers from Sacramento 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Sacramento, CA. 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 Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

Moving containers from Sacramento, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,755 and $5,819. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Sacramento typically runs around $120/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sacramento to New Orleans:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,755 - $3,094
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,056 - $4,477
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,091 - $5,819

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Sacramento, CA and New Orleans, LA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $819 in Sacramento, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $88 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $176 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,755. 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 $2,056 - $4,477.

What are the best moving containers Sacramento to New Orleans?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento:

  • Two Men and a Truck Moving (4.6/5), 21 years in business
  • Premium Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
  • House to Home Moving (4.8/5), 16 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,228 miles from Sacramento, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, running $1,216 - $3,569. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $829 - $948
  • Daily insurance: $35/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • Sacramento daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Sacramento to New Orleans based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,216 - $2,374
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,289 - $2,970
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,697 - $3,569

Pro tip: A rental truck from Sacramento to New Orleans looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,216 - $3,569. But once you factor in fuel ($829 - $948), overnight lodging ($176/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?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $176 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 Sacramento, California, usually costs about $819 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 2,228-mile drive falls between $829 and $948, 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 $59 and $351 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Sacramento to New Orleans?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Sacramento, CA to New Orleans, LA

For larger DIY moves from Sacramento, California, 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 $1,801 and $3,616.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sacramento to New Orleans:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,430 - $2,986
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,801 - $3,616
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,426 - $5,043

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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $88 - $176 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Sacramento, California, typically costs $819.

What are the best freight companies from Sacramento to New Orleans?

  1. 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.
  2. 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 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: Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Sacramento, CA New Orleans, LA
Cost of living index127102
Average rent$1,899/mo$1,755/mo
Median home value$483,739$300,283
Average income$83,753/yr$55,339/yr
Unemployment rate7.7%11.0%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 4.25%
Walkability score49/10058/100
Safety index50.79/10032.69/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Sacramento, CA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Louisiana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,228-mile move.

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Our take

The 2,228-mile move from Sacramento, CA, to New Orleans, LA, costs between $1,314 and $10,845 with full-service movers, $1,755 - $5,819 with a moving container, and $1,216 - $3,569 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 $3,479 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 Sacramento, CA, 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 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.

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 49 and 67 in Sacramento. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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 50.79 and 49.21 in Sacramento. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Sacramento, CA 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 Sacramento movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 39% of movers in Sacramento handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.