($515+) New Orleans, LA to McAllen, TX Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to McAllen, TX, runs anywhere from $515 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,120 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 694 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,569, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,120 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,042 - $3,360, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $515 - $1,387.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to McAllen, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,122 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 McAllen, TX
Moving options from New Orleans to McAllen fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,122 - $5,432 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 694-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 694-mile route from New Orleans to McAllen, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,569 - $3,996 | $1,042 - $1,851 | $515 - $909 | $911 - $1,716 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,122 - $5,432 | $1,324 - $2,641 | $524 - $1,068 | $987 - $2,031 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,630 - $8,120 | $1,650 - $3,360 | $681 - $1,387 | $1,334 - $2,715 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from New Orleans, LA to McAllen, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 694-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to McAllen, Texas, with prices running from $1,569 - $8,120. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $275 - $1,832 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between New Orleans and McAllen 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 McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,569 - $3,996
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,122 - $5,432
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,630 - $8,120
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 McAllen.
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 McAllen, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McAllen, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $458 - $4,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $183 - $1,099/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,198 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $916 - $2,748 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,290 - $9,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $686 - $1,303 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $916 - $2,290 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $733 - $3,206 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $275 - $1,374 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers | $595 - $1,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,206+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to McAllen?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in New Orleans, LA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from New Orleans, LA to McAllen, TX
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to McAllen, Texas, cost between $1,042 and $3,360. 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 McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,851
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,324 - $2,641
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,650 - $3,360
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $137 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in McAllen, TX, 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 $641 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 Texas 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 $1,042. 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 $1,324 - $2,641.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans to McAllen?
- 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:
- 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 McAllen, TX
A rental truck for this 694-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to McAllen, Texas, costs between $515 and $1,387. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $202 - $231
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 McAllen based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $515 - $909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $524 - $1,068
- 4+ bedrooms: $681 - $1,387
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $515 - $1,387 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to McAllen. Fuel alone runs $202 - $231, and overnight lodging ($137/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $137 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 $60 and $298 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $202 - $231 in fuel for the 694-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $641 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 McAllen?
- 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 McAllen, TX
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from New Orleans, Louisiana, to McAllen, Texas, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $987 and $2,031.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to McAllen:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $911 - $1,716
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $987 - $2,031
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,334 - $2,715
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 $69 - $137 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 $641.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to McAllen?
- 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.
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 McAllen 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: New Orleans, LA vs McAllen, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McAllen, side by side with New Orleans on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | New Orleans, LA | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 102 | 76 |
| Average rent | $1,755/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Median home value | $300,283 | $173,919 |
| Average income | $55,339/yr | $60,165/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 11.0% | 7.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.25% | None |
| Walkability score | 58/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 32.69/100 | 63.74/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 McAllen, TX to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to Texas 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 73 movers based in Louisiana, handy for sizing up options on this 694-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 694-mile route from New Orleans, LA, to McAllen, TX, run $1,569 - $8,120 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,042 - $3,360, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $515 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,122, 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 The Monitor Group and Am-Mex Products.
FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to McAllen, TX
Is McAllen a safe place to live?
McAllen has a safety index of 63.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 36.26, compared to 32.69 and 67.31 in New Orleans. 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 McAllen?
McAllen has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 46, 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 are the best neighborhoods in McAllen?
For families, North McAllen, Sharyland Plantation, and Tres Lagos are worth a look in McAllen. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown McAllen, South McAllen, and La Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
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 McAllen run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.