($628+) Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $628 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,157 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,010 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 $2,168, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,157 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,184 - $3,719, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $628 - $1,777.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,417 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 Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Des Moines 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 $2,417 - $5,802 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 72% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,010 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,010-mile route from Des Moines to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,168 - $4,738, container $1,184 - $2,161, rental truck $628 - $1,267, freight trailer $1,045 - $1,963.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,417 - $5,802, container $1,406 - $2,974, rental truck $678 - $1,490, freight trailer $1,195 - $2,426.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,002 - $8,157, container $2,076 - $3,719, rental truck $914 - $1,777, freight trailer $1,549 - $3,254.
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 Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers for the 1,010-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $2,168 and $8,157. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $279 - $1,860, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,168 - $4,738
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,417 - $5,802
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,002 - $8,157
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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Des Moines 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 packing63% of local movers | $465 - $4,650 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $186 - $1,116/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $279 - $2,232 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $930 - $2,790 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,325 - $9,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $697 - $1,323 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Lint Van Lines | $930 - $2,325 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $744 - $3,255 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $279 - $1,395 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $605 - $1,860 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $279 - $13,950+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $279 - $3,255+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. 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 Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,184 and $3,719. 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 Des Moines typically runs around $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,184 - $2,161
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,406 - $2,974
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,076 - $3,719
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 Des Moines, IA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $651, 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 $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Des Moines, IA, 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 Iowa 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 $1,184. 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 $1,406 - $2,974.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines:
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- The Approved Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,010-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $628 and $1,777, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $299 - $342
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| 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 Des Moines to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $628 - $1,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $678 - $1,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $914 - $1,777
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $628 - $1,777 does not include fuel ($299 - $342), lodging ($140/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to New Orleans typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
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 $70 and $326.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $140.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $299 and $342 for the 1,010-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 $651 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,195 and $2,426.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,195 - $2,426
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,549 - $3,254
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?
- 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 $70 and $140.
- 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 Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly five hours typically average $651.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines 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: 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: Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 102 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,755/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $300,283 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $55,339/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 11.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 58/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 32.69/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Des Moines, IA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa 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 67 movers in our Iowa network to compare for this 1,010-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, 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 $2,168 - $8,157 on the 1,010-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,184 - $3,719 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $628 - $1,777 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,417 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 Des Moines, IA, to New Orleans, LA
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 long does a move from Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA 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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to New Orleans, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $628 to $8,157, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,168 and $8,157, 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 Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.