($995+) Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $995 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,343 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,622 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,464, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,343 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,364 - $5,192, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $995 - $2,541.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,227 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 Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
Moving options from Portland to New Orleans 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 $3,227 - $7,259 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 68% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,622 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,622-mile route from Portland to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,464 - $5,995 | $1,364 - $2,775 | $995 - $1,893 | $1,240 - $2,331 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,227 - $7,259 | $1,888 - $3,621 | $1,046 - $2,143 | $1,409 - $2,956 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,917 - $11,343 | $2,500 - $5,192 | $1,241 - $2,541 | $1,999 - $3,917 |
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 Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,622-mile move from Portland, Maine, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with prices running from $2,464 - $11,343. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $324 - $2,160 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and New Orleans are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,464 - $5,995
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,227 - $7,259
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,917 - $11,343
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 Portland to New Orleans.
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 Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In New Orleans, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $540 - $5,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $216 - $1,296/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $324 - $2,592 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,080 - $3,240 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,700 - $10,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $809 - $1,537 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,080 - $2,700 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $864 - $3,780 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $324 - $1,620 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $702 - $2,160 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $324 - $16,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $324 - $3,780+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to New Orleans?
Look for Louisiana Motor Transport Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Louisiana 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Portland, ME. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,364 and $5,192. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to New Orleans. If you go over that window, storage in Portland adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,364 - $2,775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,888 - $3,621
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,500 - $5,192
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $81 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $162 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in New Orleans, LA, 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 $756 in Portland, ME. 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 Maine to Louisiana 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 $1,364. 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 $1,888 - $3,621.
What are the best moving containers Portland to New Orleans?
- 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,622-mile move from Portland, Maine, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $995 and $2,541, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $557 - $637
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Portland 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 Portland to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,893
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,046 - $2,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,241 - $2,541
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to New Orleans starts at $995 - $2,541, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($557 - $637), overnight lodging ($162/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $557 - $637 for the 1,622-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Portland, Maine, for about 5 hours typically costs around $756.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,622-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $162 per night, adding $324 - $486 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $54 and $324.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland to New Orleans?
- 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 Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA
For larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, 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 New Orleans, Louisiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,409 and $2,956.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,240 - $2,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,956
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,999 - $3,917
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $81 and $162.
- 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 Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $756.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to New Orleans?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in New Orleans 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: Portland, ME vs New Orleans, LA
Day-to-day costs in New Orleans are close to what you're used to in Portland: cost of living index of 102 versus 112, with average rent of $1,755/mo compared to $1,991/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 62/100 and 67.84/100 in Portland versus 58/100 and 32.69/100 in New Orleans.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Maine to Louisiana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Maine alone has 46 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,622-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,622-mile route from Portland, ME, to New Orleans, LA, run $2,464 - $11,343 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,364 - $5,192, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $995 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,227, 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 Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to New Orleans, LA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA?
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.
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/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 New Orleans run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in New Orleans?
For families, Algiers Point, Bayou St. John, and East Carrollton are worth a look in New Orleans. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central Business District, Freret, and Gentilly Terrace tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to New Orleans, LA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,046 - $2,143. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.