($756+) New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $749 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,646 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,055 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 $2,110, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,646 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,205 - $4,035, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $749 - $1,939.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,743 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving options from New Orleans to Ann Arbor 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 $2,743 - $6,736 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,055 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,055-mile route from New Orleans to Ann Arbor, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,110 for a studio up to $8,646 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,205 - $4,035 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $749 - $1,939, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,151 - $3,396, 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 New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,055-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, with prices running from $2,110 - $8,646. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $311 - $2,072 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between New Orleans and Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,110 - $5,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,743 - $6,736
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,405 - $8,646
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 Ann Arbor.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to Michigan. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Ann Arbor?
Look for Michigan Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Michigan 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 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $1,205 and $4,035. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in New Orleans runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Orleans to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,205 - $2,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,646 - $3,124
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,137 - $4,035
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 $155 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Ann Arbor, MI, 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 $725 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 Michigan 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 $1,205. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,646 - $3,124, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Ann Arbor?
- 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 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 Ann Arbor, MI
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,055 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, running $749 - $1,939. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $348 - $397
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- New Orleans daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 New Orleans to Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $749 - $1,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $769 - $1,544
- 4+ bedrooms: $938 - $1,939
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $749 - $1,939 does not include fuel ($348 - $397) , lodging ($155/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from New Orleans to Ann Arbor typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $155 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $67 and $337 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $348 - $397 in fuel for the 1,055-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $725 in New Orleans, Louisiana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Orleans to Ann Arbor?
- 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 New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, Michigan. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,343 and $2,628.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $1,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,762 - $3,396
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?
- 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 New Orleans, Louisiana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $725.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $155 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Ann Arbor?
- 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.
- T C I Trucking (4.66/5 stars): T C I Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: New Orleans, LA vs Ann Arbor, MI
New Orleans and Ann Arbor land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in New Orleans and 106 in Ann Arbor, and rent tracks closely too ($1,755/mo vs. $2,260/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (58 vs 52) and safety scores (32.69 vs 79.18) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ann Arbor, MI to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to Michigan, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 29 movers licensed in Louisiana, useful context for sizing up this 1,055-mile move.
Our take
For a move from New Orleans, LA, to Ann Arbor, MI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,110 for a studio to $8,646 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,055-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,205 - $4,035. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $749 - $1,939, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,743 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Ann Arbor, MI
What are the best neighborhoods in Ann Arbor?
For families, Burns Park, Eberwhite, and Water Hill are worth a look in Ann Arbor. If you're moving solo or without kids, Kerrytown, Lower Burns Park, and Old West Side tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What do local movers charge in New Orleans?
Local movers based in New Orleans typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Ann Arbor run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI?
Costs on this route range from around $2,110 to $8,646, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,110 and $8,646, 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 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.