($618+) New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN

Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Fort Wayne, IN, runs anywhere from $618 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,520 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 938 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 $1,873, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,520 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,174 - $3,590, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $618 - $1,705.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Fort Wayne, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,447 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 Fort Wayne, IN

There are 3 main ways to move from New Orleans to Fort Wayne: 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 $2,447 - $5,869. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 71% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 938-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 938-mile route from New Orleans to Fort Wayne, 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 $1,873 - $4,865 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,174 - $2,094), rental truck ($618 - $1,227), or freight trailer ($1,037 - $1,828). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,447 - $5,869 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,520.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
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 trailer
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 Fort Wayne, IN

For the 938-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, full-service movers cost between $1,873 and $7,520. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $282 - $1,880 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in New Orleans generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Fort Wayne:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,873 - $4,865
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,447 - $5,869
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,226 - $7,520

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 Fort Wayne.

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.

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Specialty moving services from New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN

Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Fort Wayne, 53% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing79% of local movers$470 - $4,700
Storage in transitNew place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers$188 - $1,128/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$282 - $2,256
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers$940 - $2,820
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,350 - $9,400
Car shippingSecond vehicle$704 - $1,338
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers$940 - $2,350
PianoAny piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers$752 - $3,290
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers$282 - $1,410
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers$611 - $1,880
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$282 - $14,100+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$282 - $3,290+

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

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in New Orleans, LA. 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 New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN

Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, cost between $1,174 and $3,590. 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 New Orleans typically runs around $80/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,174 - $2,094
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,381 - $2,908
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,590

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $141 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Fort Wayne, IN, 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 $658 in New Orleans, LA. 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 Louisiana to Indiana 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 $1,174. 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 $1,381 - $2,908.

What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Fort Wayne?

  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:

  • AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business
  • Moving Nola (5.0/5)
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 938 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, running $618 - $1,705. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $281 - $321
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • 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 Fort Wayne based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $618 - $1,227
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $700 - $1,389
  • 4+ bedrooms: $803 - $1,705

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $618 - $1,705 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to Fort Wayne. Fuel alone runs $281 - $321, and overnight lodging ($141/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.

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 $71 and $329.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $141.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $281 and $321 for the 938-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 $658 for 2 movers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

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

  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 Fort Wayne, IN

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,104 and $2,350.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,828
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,104 - $2,350
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,533 - $3,113

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $71 - $141 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for about five hours typically runs $658.

What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Fort Wayne?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from New Orleans to Fort Wayne. 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: New Orleans, LA vs Fort Wayne, IN

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

Measure New Orleans, LA Fort Wayne, IN
Cost of living index10282
Average rent$1,755/mo$1,163/mo
Median home value$300,283$168,966
Average income$55,339/yr$60,293/yr
Unemployment rate11.0%5.1%
State income taxUp to 4.25%Up to 3.15%
Walkability score58/10032/100
Safety index32.69/10059.1/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Fort Wayne, IN to New Orleans, LA guide.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from New Orleans, LA, to Fort Wayne, IN, 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 $1,873 - $7,520 on the 938-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,174 - $3,590 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $618 - $1,705 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,447 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 Steel Dynamics and Franklin Electric.

FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Fort Wayne, IN

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What is the best time of year to move from New Orleans, LA to Fort Wayne, IN?

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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Indiana?

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date.

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

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($281 - $321), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $141/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, 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.

What percentage of New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 41% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.