($1,342+) New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $1,264 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,460 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,176 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,466, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,460 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,803 - $6,459, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,264 - $3,525.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,769 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 New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT
There are 3 main ways to move from New Orleans to Missoula: 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 $3,769 - $7,910. 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 6 to 17 days for this 2,176-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 2,176-mile route from New Orleans to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,466 for a studio up to $12,460 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,803 - $6,459 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,264 - $3,525, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,496 - $5,167, 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 Missoula, MT
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,176-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Missoula, Montana, with prices running from $2,466 - $12,460. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $319 - $2,128 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between New Orleans and Missoula 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 Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,466 - $6,040
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,769 - $7,910
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,006 - $12,460
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 Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $532 - $5,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $213 - $1,277/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,554 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,064 - $3,192 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,660 - $10,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $797 - $1,514 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,064 - $2,660 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $851 - $3,724 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $319 - $1,596 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $692 - $2,128 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,724+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Missoula?
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in New Orleans, LA. 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 New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,803 and $6,459. 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 Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,803 - $3,336
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,288 - $4,539
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,109 - $6,459
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $80 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $160 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Missoula, MT, 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 $745 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.
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 $1,803. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,288 - $4,539, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Missoula?
- 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 Missoula, MT
Truck rentals from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Missoula, Montana, range from $1,264 - $3,525 for the 2,176-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $737 - $842
- Daily insurance: $32/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 Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,264 - $2,618
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,412 - $2,877
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,817 - $3,525
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,264 - $3,525 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to Missoula. Fuel alone runs ($737 - $842) , and overnight lodging ($160/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $160 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 $69 and $346 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $737 - $842 in fuel for the 2,176-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $745 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 Missoula?
- 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 Missoula, MT
For larger DIY moves from New Orleans, Louisiana, 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 Missoula, Montana.
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 $1,884 and $3,557.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,496 - $3,153
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,884 - $3,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,463 - $5,167
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 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 $80 and $160.
- 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 New Orleans, Louisiana, for roughly five hours typically average $745.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Missoula?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- 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 based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Missoula 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: New Orleans, LA vs Missoula, MT
Day-to-day costs in Missoula are close to what you're used to in New Orleans: cost of living index of 113 versus 102, with average rent of $1,322/mo compared to $1,755/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 58/100 and 32.69/100 in New Orleans versus 45/100 and 66.73/100 in Missoula.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Missoula, MT to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 1 real quotes from Louisiana to Montana in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 29 movers based in Louisiana, handy for sizing up options on this 2,176-mile route.
Our take
For a move from New Orleans, LA, to Missoula, MT, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,466 for a studio to $12,460 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,176-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,803 - $6,459. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,264 - $3,525, 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 $3,769 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 Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Missoula, MT
What are some tips for saving money on a move from New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT?
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 New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT?
Costs on this route range from around $2,466 to $12,460, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,466 and $12,460, 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.
How walkable is Missoula?
Missoula has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($737 - $842), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $160/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
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.
