($1,177+) New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA

Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,177 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,766 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,840 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,433, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,766 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,624 - $5,556, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,177 - $3,270.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,265 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

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

Moving options from New Orleans to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,265 - $7,800 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,840 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,840-mile route from New Orleans to Riverside, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,433 - $5,643 $1,624 - $3,071 $1,177 - $2,138 $1,361 - $2,710
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,265 - $7,800 $2,120 - $4,090 $1,202 - $2,621 $1,663 - $3,407
4+ bedrooms $6,326 - $10,766 $2,729 - $5,556 $1,484 - $3,270 $2,295 - $4,762

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,840-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Riverside, California, with prices running from $2,433 - $10,766. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $341 - $2,272 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between New Orleans and Riverside are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, New Orleans 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 New Orleans to Riverside:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,433 - $5,643
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,265 - $7,800
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,326 - $10,766

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 New Orleans to Riverside.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

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

Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Riverside, 84% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$568 - $5,680
Storage in transitNew place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers$227 - $1,363/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$341 - $2,726
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers$1,136 - $3,408
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,840 - $11,360
Car shippingSecond vehicle$851 - $1,617
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc.$1,136 - $2,840
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers$909 - $3,976
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers$341 - $1,704
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc.$738 - $2,272
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$341 - $17,040+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$341 - $3,976+

What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Riverside?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in New Orleans, LA, 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 New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA

Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,624 and $5,556. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in New Orleans typically costs about $80/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,624 - $3,071
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,120 - $4,090
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,729 - $5,556

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 New Orleans, LA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $795, 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 $85 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $170 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both New Orleans, LA, and Riverside, CA, 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 Louisiana to California 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 $1,624. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,120 - $4,090, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Riverside?

  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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans:

  • Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 72 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business
  • AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business

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

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,840 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Riverside, California, running $1,177 - $3,270. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $665 - $760
  • Daily insurance: $34/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
  • New Orleans daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 New Orleans to Riverside based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,177 - $2,138
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,202 - $2,621
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,484 - $3,270

Pro tip: The base rate of $1,177 - $3,270 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from New Orleans to Riverside. Fuel ($665 - $760) , lodging at around $170/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $665 - $760 for the 1,840-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 New Orleans, Louisiana, for about 5 hours typically costs around $795.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 1,840-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $170 per night, adding $341 - $511 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $57 and $341.

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

  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 New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Riverside, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,663 and $3,407.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,361 - $2,710
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,663 - $3,407
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,295 - $4,762

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?

  • 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 $85 - $170 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 New Orleans, Louisiana, typically costs $795.

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

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. T C I Trucking (4.66/5 stars): T C I Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from New Orleans to Riverside, 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: New Orleans, LA vs Riverside, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with New Orleans on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure New Orleans, LA Riverside, CA
Cost of living index102131
Average rent$1,755/mo$2,295/mo
Median home value$300,283$539,898
Average income$55,339/yr$88,575/yr
Unemployment rate11.0%7.1%
State income taxUp to 4.25%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score58/10043/100
Safety index32.69/10059.76/100
Air qualityGoodModerate

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 Riverside, CA to New Orleans, LA guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,840-mile route from New Orleans, LA, to Riverside, CA, run $2,433 - $10,766 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,624 - $5,556, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,177 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,265, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.

FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Riverside, CA

How do I know a mover is licensed in California?

When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($665 - $760), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $170/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Riverside?

Riverside has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, compared to 58 and 66 in New Orleans. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,433 to $10,766, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,433 and $10,766, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from New Orleans, LA to Riverside, CA?

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 New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 38% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.