($598+) Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $598 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,734 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 852 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 $1,797, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,734 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,788, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $598 - $1,582.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,169 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 Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Durham to New Orleans: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,169 - $5,200. Containers cost roughly 32% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 72% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 852 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 852-mile route from Durham to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,797 - $4,005, container $1,140 - $1,987, rental truck $598 - $1,085, freight trailer $948 - $1,752.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,169 - $5,200, container $1,466 - $2,702, rental truck $609 - $1,342, freight trailer $1,072 - $2,140.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,619 - $7,734, container $1,820 - $3,788, rental truck $786 - $1,582, freight trailer $1,441 - $3,001.
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 Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
Full-service movers for the 852-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,797 and $7,734. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $301 - $2,004, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Durham typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,797 - $4,005
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,169 - $5,200
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,619 - $7,734
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 Durham to New Orleans.
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 Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Durham 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 packing74% of local movers | $501 - $5,010 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $200 - $1,202/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $301 - $2,405 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $1,002 - $3,006 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,505 - $10,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $750 - $1,426 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $1,002 - $2,505 |
| Piano | Any piano type51% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $802 - $3,507 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $301 - $1,503 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $651 - $2,004 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $301 - $15,030+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $301 - $3,507+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to New Orleans?
All three below meet the standards set by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the group most Louisiana movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Durham, NC. 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 Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $1,140 and $3,788. 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 Durham typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $1,987
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,702
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,820 - $3,788
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 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 $701 in Durham, NC, 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 New Orleans, LA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $1,140. 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 $1,466 - $2,702.
What are the best moving containers Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham:
- Athens Moving Experts (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
Renting a moving truck for the 852-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana, costs between $598 and $1,582, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $272 - $310
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Durham to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,085
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $609 - $1,342
- 4+ bedrooms: $786 - $1,582
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $598 - $1,582 does not include fuel ($272 - $310), lodging ($150/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to New Orleans typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $701.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $272 - $310 for the 852-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $60 and $326, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $150 per night for hotel stops on the 852-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $301 - $451.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham 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 Durham, NC to New Orleans, LA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $902 and $2,140.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $948 - $1,752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,072 - $2,140
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,441 - $3,001
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?
- 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 $75 - $150 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 Durham, North Carolina, typically costs $701.
What are the best freight companies from Durham to New Orleans?
- 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: 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: Durham, NC vs New Orleans, LA
Good news for your budget: New Orleans isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Durham. Cost of living index runs 102 there against 99 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 30/100 and 45.28/100 here versus 58/100 and 32.69/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Orleans, LA to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from North Carolina to Louisiana, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 313 movers in North Carolina, so you have real options to compare for this 852-mile move.
Our take
A move from Durham, NC, to New Orleans, LA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,797 - $7,734 on the 852-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,140 - $3,788, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $598 - $1,582. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,169 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to New Orleans, LA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Durham, NC 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.
Is New Orleans a safe place to live?
New Orleans has a safety index of 32.69 out of 100 and a crime index of 67.31, compared to 45.28 and 54.72 in Durham. 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans has a walkability score of 58 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 30 and 38 in Durham. 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 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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 51% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.