($1,061+) Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA ranges from $1,214 to $11,041, with an average cost of $3,900. Moves can be as low as $1,061 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,879 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 Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Santa Ana to New Orleans fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,214 - $11,041 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,900, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 62% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,879 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 1,879-mile route from Santa Ana to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,214 - $4,931 | $1,584 - $2,768 | $1,105 - $2,002 | $1,399 - $2,673 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,187 - $7,212 | $1,969 - $3,877 | $1,207 - $2,580 | $1,653 - $3,199 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,838 - $11,041 | $2,747 - $5,491 | $1,536 - $3,007 | $2,262 - $4,437 |
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 Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,879-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with costs ranging from $1,214 - $11,041. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $419 - $2,796. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Santa Ana and New Orleans. Local movers in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $4,931
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,187 - $7,212
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,838 - $11,041
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 Santa Ana to New Orleans.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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 Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Santa Ana 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 packing78% of local movers | $699 - $6,990 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $280 - $1,678/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $419 - $3,355 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,398 - $4,194 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,495 - $13,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,047 - $1,989 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,398 - $3,495 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,118 - $4,893 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $419 - $2,097 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $909 - $2,796 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $419 - $20,970+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $419 - $4,893+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Ana, CA. 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 Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,584 and $5,491. 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 Santa Ana costs roughly $110/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,584 - $2,768
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,969 - $3,877
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,747 - $5,491
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $105 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $210 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 $979 in Santa Ana, 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 $1,584. 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 $1,969 - $3,877.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Maison Moving (4.6/5), 18 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
Truck rentals from Santa Ana, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, range from $1,105 - $3,007 for the 1,879-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $836 - $955
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,105 - $2,002
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,580
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,536 - $3,007
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Santa Ana to New Orleans starts at $1,105 - $3,007, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($836 - $955), overnight lodging ($210/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $836 - $955 for the 1,879-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Santa Ana, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $979.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,879-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $210 per night, adding $419 - $629 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $70 and $419.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Santa Ana, 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 $1,653 and $3,199.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,399 - $2,673
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,653 - $3,199
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,262 - $4,437
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $979.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $105 - $210 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 Santa Ana to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Santa Ana to New Orleans, 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: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 102 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $1,755/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $300,283 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $55,339/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 11.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 58/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 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 Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California 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 1,154 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 1,879-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Ana, CA, to New Orleans, LA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,214 - $11,041 on the 1,879-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,584 - $5,491 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,105 - $3,007 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,187 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Ana, CA, to New Orleans, LA
What is the best time of year to move from Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($836 - $955), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $210/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Santa Ana, CA 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 $1,207 - $2,580. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,061 to $11,041, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,214 and $11,041, 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 percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.