($674+) Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,060 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 926 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,047, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,060 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,233 - $4,005, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,844.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,345 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 Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to New Orleans: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,345 - $6,218. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 926-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 926-mile route from Chicago to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,047 for a studio up to $8,060 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,233 - $4,005 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $635 - $1,844, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,078 - $3,268, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 926-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with prices running from $2,047 - $8,060. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $313 - $2,088 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and New Orleans are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,047 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,345 - $6,218
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,895 - $8,060
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 Chicago to New Orleans.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Louisiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New Orleans, 75% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $522 - $5,220 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $209 - $1,253/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $313 - $2,506 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,044 - $3,132 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,610 - $10,440 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $782 - $1,486 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,044 - $2,610 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $835 - $3,654 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $313 - $1,566 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $679 - $2,088 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $313 - $15,660+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $313 - $3,654+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,233 and $4,005. 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 Chicago costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,233 - $2,263
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,449 - $3,083
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,033 - $4,005
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 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 $731 in Chicago, IL. 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 Illinois 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 $1,233. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,449 - $3,083, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
Plan on $635 - $1,844 for a rental moving truck on the 926-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to New Orleans, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $308 - $352
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Chicago to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,276
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $728 - $1,444
- 4+ bedrooms: $914 - $1,844
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $635 - $1,844 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to New Orleans. Fuel alone runs ($308 - $352) , and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $308 - $352 for the 926-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 Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $731.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 926-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $157 per night, adding $313 - $470 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $313.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,220 and $2,395.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,078 - $1,899
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,395
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,268
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $731.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $157 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to New Orleans quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs New Orleans, LA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Chicago and New Orleans to plan around. Cost of living index: 106 vs. 102. Average rent: $2,045/mo vs. $1,755/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 77 vs. 58. Safety index: 33.87 vs. 32.69.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois 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 103 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 926-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to New Orleans, LA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,047 - $8,060 on the 926-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,233 - $4,005, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $635 - $1,844. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,345 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to New Orleans, LA
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL 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.
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 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 77 and 72 in Chicago. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
