($694+) New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA, runs anywhere from $714 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,062 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 998 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 $2,270, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,062 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,160 - $3,980, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $714 - $1,847.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,540 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 Richmond, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from New Orleans to Richmond: 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 $2,540 - $6,557. 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 2 to 7 days for this 998-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 998-mile route from New Orleans to Richmond, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,270 - $4,972 | $1,160 - $2,178 | $714 - $1,251 | $1,065 - $2,100 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,540 - $6,557 | $1,555 - $3,058 | $750 - $1,457 | $1,181 - $2,545 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,526 - $8,062 | $2,011 - $3,980 | $931 - $1,847 | $1,693 - $3,183 |
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 Richmond, VA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 998-mile move from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, with costs ranging from $2,270 - $8,062. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $298 - $1,984. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between New Orleans and Richmond. Local movers in New Orleans typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,270 - $4,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,540 - $6,557
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,526 - $8,062
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 Richmond.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Richmond, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $496 - $4,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $198 - $1,190/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $298 - $2,381 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $992 - $2,976 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,480 - $9,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $743 - $1,412 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $992 - $2,480 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $794 - $3,472 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $298 - $1,488 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $645 - $1,984 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $298 - $14,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $298 - $3,472+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Richmond?
Look for Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Virginia 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 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 Richmond, VA
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, cost between $1,160 and $3,980. 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 Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $2,178
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,555 - $3,058
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,011 - $3,980
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $149 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $694 in New Orleans, LA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Richmond, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana to Virginia 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 $1,160. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,555 - $3,058, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans to Richmond?
- 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 Richmond, VA
Truck rentals from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Richmond, Virginia, range from $714 - $1,847 for the 998-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $315 - $360
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Richmond based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $750 - $1,457
- 4+ bedrooms: $931 - $1,847
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $714 - $1,847 when pricing out a rental truck from New Orleans to Richmond. Fuel alone runs ($315 - $360) , and overnight lodging ($149/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $74 and $347.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $149.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $315 and $360 for the 998-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 $694 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 Richmond?
- 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 Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, Virginia.
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 $1,181 and $2,545.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Richmond:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,065 - $2,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,181 - $2,545
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,183
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $74 - $149 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for about five hours typically runs $694.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Richmond?
- 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 one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Richmond 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 Richmond, VA
New Orleans and Richmond land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in New Orleans and 95 in Richmond, and rent tracks closely too ($1,755/mo vs. $1,595/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (58 vs 51) and safety scores (32.69 vs 51.55) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Richmond, VA 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 Virginia, 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 998-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA, 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 $2,270 - $8,062 on the 998-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,160 - $3,980 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $714 - $1,847 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,540 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 Brink's and CarMax.
FAQs: Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Richmond, VA
Is Richmond a safe place to live?
Richmond has a safety index of 51.55 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.45, 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.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from New Orleans, LA to Richmond, VA?
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. Virginia also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($315 - $360), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $149/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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.
