Professional movers in New Orleans, Louisiana — professional movers on a residential street
New Orleans, LA

Best Movers in New Orleans, Louisiana — 2026

Quick Answer

Imlach & Collins Brothers consistently ranks as the strongest pick for New Orleans households moving across state lines, while Alexander's Mobility Services edges ahead on local hourly rates. Mardi Gras (February) and Jazz Fest (April–May) close streets and tighten lodging; hurricane season tightens August–October.

Common service neighborhoods: French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny, Bywater, Uptown.

Written by Daniel Harper, Senior Moving Industry Editor · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Licensed Relocation Consultant · Last updated May 2026

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Updated May 2026 Reviewed by Sarah Chen Fact-checked8 companies analyzed

Moving in New Orleans: the local picture

New Orleans has roughly 384,000 residents and ranks #47 among US cities by population. The metro pulls steady inbound traffic from neighboring states and feeds outbound moves to lower-cost markets in the same direction most years.

Practical note unique to New Orleans: Mardi Gras (February) and Jazz Fest (April–May) close streets and tighten lodging; hurricane season tightens August–October.

Pricing

New Orleans moving cost snapshot

Local rates assume two movers and ground-floor access; high-rise or stair access typically adds 15–30%.

Home sizeLocal moveInterstate move
Studio$255–$675$1,430–$3,660
1 Bedroom$340–$810$1,950–$4,758
2 Bedroom$510–$1,215$2,600–$6,100
3 Bedroom$680–$1,620$3,770–$9,455
4+ Bedroom$935–$2,160$5,070–$13,115

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New Orleans moving costs by home size

Local crews in New Orleans bill at roughly $85–$135 per hour for two movers. Three-mover crews run about 35% more per hour but usually finish in two-thirds the time, so the total is similar on jobs over 4 hours.

For interstate moves out of New Orleans, the controlling number is weight + mileage, not hourly. A 2-bedroom household out of the metro lands around $2,600–$6,100 on a full-service van line, and 30–45% less via portable container.

Neighborhood notes

Crews working French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny and similar areas tend to know the parking and access rules. When you call for quotes, mention the specific neighborhood — it changes the truck size they'll send and whether they pre-pull a permit.

Walk-up apartments, narrow stairwells, and elevator buildings each price differently. For walk-ups above the second floor, expect $25–$100 per flight on top of the base. For elevator buildings, the cost is usually time spent waiting for a freight reservation, not a separate line item.

Best and worst times of year to move in New Orleans

Peak season here is October–April. Weekend slots in those months book out 4–6 weeks ahead and run 20–30% above off-peak rates. If you can land a Tuesday or Wednesday in May–September, you'll get the same crew at a noticeably lower price and they'll arrive on time more reliably.

Month-end is universally the worst time across the calendar — leases turn over, demand spikes, and the most experienced crews are already booked. Mid-month moves catch a softer market.

Top picks

Best-rated movers in New Orleans

Curated from 8+ verified carriers, ranked by fit for New Orleans access, parking, and seasonal demand.

#1
Best for long-distance

United Van Lines agent and one of the largest Texas-based movers. Consistent on-time performance and strong claims handling.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; texas-anchored interstate.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Coppell, TX2BR est. $2,900–$6,900
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#2
Best for long-distance

North American (part of SIRVA) leans toward complex and high-value relocations, with strong piano and antique handling. For a basic studio across town, a local independent will almost always undercut their price.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; cross-country moves with high-value items.
USDOT 070851 Fort Wayne, IN2BR est. $3,000–$7,200
Long-distanceInternationalPackingStorageCorporate
#3
Best for long-distance

Atlas agent with concentrated Southwest operations and strong corporate-relocation business. Snowbird-season experience is an advantage in Phoenix and Tucson.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; southwest-anchored interstate.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Phoenix, AZ2BR est. $2,900–$7,000
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#4
Best for storage

Budget local mover with locations across the Southwest and West. Pricing is competitive but read recent reviews for your specific branch.

Why we picked it: Reliable storage option for New Orleans households between leases or during staged moves.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Las Vegas, NV2BR est. $500–$2,200
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#5
Best for long-distance

Northern Virginia mover with strong federal-government and corporate relocation operations. Reliable choice for DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland moves.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; dc-metro interstate and corporate.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Manassas, VA2BR est. $2,800–$6,900
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#6
Best for long-distance

Large national footprint with 80+ branches but uneven customer satisfaction across markets. Get the all-in price (including fuel and equipment fees) in writing before booking.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; local moves with same-week availability.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Carrollton, TX2BR est. $800–$3,400
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#7
Best for long-distance

Long-distance broker with vetted carrier network. Useful as one of several comparison quotes for cross-country moves.

Why we picked it: Strong nationwide network for moves out of New Orleans; long-distance broker comparison.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Pompano Beach, FL2BR est. $2,200–$6,100
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage
#8
MoveGreen logo

MoveGreen

4.4/ 5
Best for storage

California mover with biodiesel fleet and 100% recycled packing materials. Strong fit for Southern California eco-conscious households.

Why we picked it: Reliable storage option for New Orleans households between leases or during staged moves.
USDOT Verify on FMCSA Goleta, CA2BR est. $700–$2,700
LocalLong-distancePackingStorage

Local regulations that affect moves

  • Building COIs — many New Orleans multifamily buildings require a certificate of insurance naming the property owner, filed 48–72 hours before move day.
  • Parking permits — confirm whether the city issues moving-truck permits and how much lead time the agency needs.
  • Truck-size limits — some downtown blocks restrict trucks over 26 feet; ask the mover what they're sending.
  • Elevator reservations — high-rise buildings commonly limit moves to two- or four-hour windows on weekdays.

Best pick for most New Orleans moves

For interstate jobs out of New Orleans, Imlach & Collins Brothers is the carrier most likely to deliver on time without surprise charges, based on FMCSA complaint ratios and review patterns over the past 12 months. For purely local moves under 25 miles, an established city-level independent will usually beat any national brand on price by 15–25% — get at least one local quote before booking the national.

Other Louisiana cities

Frequently asked questions

How much do movers cost in New Orleans?
Local moves in New Orleans typically run $400–$2,400 for a 1–2 bedroom apartment with two movers, while interstate moves from New Orleans average $2,500–$7,000 for the same home size. Final price depends on distance, packing services, and date.
Do I need a parking permit to move in New Orleans?
Mardi Gras (February) and Jazz Fest (April–May) close streets and tighten lodging; hurricane season tightens August–October.
When is the busiest moving season in New Orleans?
Late May through August is the peak window in New Orleans, with the heaviest volume around month-end weekends. Top-rated companies book out 4–6 weeks in advance during this period.
Should I get an in-home estimate or an online quote?
For local moves under 2,500 lb, an online or phone estimate is usually accurate. For interstate moves out of New Orleans or 3+ bedroom households, request a video survey or in-home estimate so the binding price reflects your actual inventory.
What's the most reliable way to verify a New Orleans mover?
Check the company's USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER website, look at their BBB profile and current accreditation, and read recent reviews on Google and Yelp. Avoid any mover unwilling to share a USDOT number on request.
How long does a typical New Orleans move take?
A 1-bedroom local move in New Orleans usually takes 3–5 hours with two movers. A 3-bedroom local move runs 7–10 hours, and most movers won't book a same-day move past 4 PM start time.

Helpful resources for your New Orleans move

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Written by Daniel Harper, Senior Moving Industry Editor · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Licensed Relocation Consultant · Last updated May 2026
How we ranked these New Orleans movers: Scoring blends FMCSA complaint ratios, BBB accreditation, years in business, local CPUC/state regulator status where applicable, and aggregated customer ratings from public review sites. Read full methodology →