($1,089+) Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA Movers
The cost to move from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA ranges from $1,284 to $10,880, with an average cost of $3,700. Moves can be as low as $1,089 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,840 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Riverside to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,284 - $10,880 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,700, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 65% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,840 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,840-mile route from Riverside to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,284 - $4,909 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,562 - $2,981), rental truck ($1,057 - $1,955), or freight trailer ($1,324 - $2,530). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,112 - $7,357 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,880.
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 Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,840-mile move from Riverside, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $1,284 - $10,880. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $358 - $2,388. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Riverside and New Orleans. Local movers in Riverside typically start around $239 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Riverside to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,112 - $7,357
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,789 - $10,880
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 Riverside to New Orleans.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Riverside 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 packing73% of local movers | $597 - $5,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $239 - $1,433/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $358 - $2,866 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,194 - $3,582 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,985 - $11,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $894 - $1,699 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Trek Movers | $1,194 - $2,985 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $955 - $4,179 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $358 - $1,791 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $776 - $2,388 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $358 - $17,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $358 - $4,179+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Riverside 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Riverside, CA, 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 Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Riverside, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,562 and $5,348. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Riverside costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Riverside to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,562 - $2,981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,903 - $4,016
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,760 - $5,348
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $90 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $179 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 $836 in Riverside, CA. 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 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 $1,562. 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 $1,903 - $4,016.
What are the best moving containers Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside:
- Trek Movers (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
Truck rentals from Riverside, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, range from $1,057 - $3,055 for the 1,840-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $699 - $799
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Riverside daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Riverside to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,955
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,100 - $2,521
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,400 - $3,055
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Riverside to New Orleans starts at $1,057 - $3,055, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($699 - $799), overnight lodging ($179/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 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 Riverside, California, usually costs about $836 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,840-mile drive falls between $699 and $799, 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 $60 and $358 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Riverside 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 Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Riverside, 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 $1,615 and $3,340.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Riverside to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,324 - $2,530
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,615 - $3,340
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,080 - $4,321
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $90 - $179 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Riverside, California, for about five hours typically runs $836.
What are the best freight companies from Riverside 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Riverside to New Orleans. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Riverside, 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 Riverside on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Riverside, CA | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 102 |
| Average rent | $2,295/mo | $1,755/mo |
| Median home value | $539,898 | $300,283 |
| Average income | $88,575/yr | $55,339/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 11.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 58/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 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 Riverside, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California 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 1,154 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,840-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Riverside, CA, to New Orleans, LA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,284 for a studio to $10,880 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,840-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,562 - $5,348. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,057 - $3,055, 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 $3,112 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 Riverside, CA, to New Orleans, LA
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 43 and 49 in Riverside. 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 59.76 and 40.24 in Riverside. 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 Riverside, 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 is the best time of year to move from Riverside, CA 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.
How long does a move from Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 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 percentage of Riverside movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Riverside handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.