($389+) Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA Movers
Moving from Plano, TX, to New Orleans, LA, runs anywhere from $389 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,632 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 515 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 $1,248, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,632 or more.
- Moving containers run $975 - $2,833, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $389 - $1,107.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Plano, TX, to New Orleans, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,942 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 Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
There are 3 main ways to move from Plano 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 $1,942 - $5,271. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 77% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 515 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 515-mile route from Plano to New Orleans, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,248 - $3,572 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($975 - $1,630), rental truck ($389 - $775), or freight trailer ($801 - $1,436). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,942 - $5,271 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,632.
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 Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
For the 515-mile move from Plano, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $1,248 and $7,632. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $324 - $2,160 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Plano generally start around $181 plus $92 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Plano to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,248 - $3,572
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,942 - $5,271
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,826 - $7,632
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 Plano to New Orleans.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Plano 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 packing75% of local movers | $540 - $5,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $216 - $1,296/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $324 - $2,592 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% 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 items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,080 - $2,700 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $864 - $3,780 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $324 - $1,620 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $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 Plano to New Orleans?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Plano, TX. 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 Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
Moving containers from Plano, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, cost between $975 and $2,833. 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 Plano typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Plano to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $975 - $1,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,201 - $2,343
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,566 - $2,833
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $81 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $162 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 $756 in Plano, TX, 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 Texas 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 $975. 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 $1,201 - $2,343.
What are the best moving containers Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano:
- AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- Fantastic Moves (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
Plan on $389 - $1,107 for a rental moving truck on the 515-mile route from Plano, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $177 - $202
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Plano daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Plano to New Orleans based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $389 - $775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $450 - $928
- 4+ bedrooms: $533 - $1,107
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $389 - $1,107 does not include fuel ($177 - $202), lodging ($162/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Plano 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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $162 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 $70 and $351 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $177 - $202 in fuel for the 515-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $756 in Plano, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Plano 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 Plano, TX to New Orleans, LA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Plano, Texas, 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 $972 and $1,874.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Plano to New Orleans:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $801 - $1,436
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $989 - $1,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,481
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Plano, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $756.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $162 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Plano to New Orleans?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Plano to New Orleans, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Plano, TX vs New Orleans, LA
Day-to-day costs in New Orleans are close to what you're used to in Plano: cost of living index of 102 versus 112, with average rent of $1,755/mo compared to $2,100/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 41/100 and 76.98/100 in Plano 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 Plano, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 515-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 515-mile move from Plano, TX, to New Orleans, LA, costs between $1,248 and $7,632 with full-service movers, $975 - $2,833 with a moving container, and $389 - $1,107 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,942 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Entergy and Ochsner Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Plano, TX, to New Orleans, LA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Plano, TX 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 76.98 and 23.02 in Plano. 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 41 and 52 in Plano. 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 Plano movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Plano handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.