New Orleans, LA → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move
About 972 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,510–$6,710, delivery in 2–5 days, 227 carriers on the New Orleans side and 2,923 in Chicago.
The route from New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL covers roughly 972 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,510 to $6,710 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 17 h 28 min.
On the New Orleans side there are 227 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (125 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Chicago.
New Orleans has a population of about 362,154 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 2,265 in New Orleans), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Louisiana, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,800 | $2,200 | $2,680 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,700 | $3,300 | $4,020 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,510 | $5,500 | $6,710 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,210 | $8,800 | $10,730 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $9,920 | $12,090 | $14,750 |
$1,450–$2,040
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,890–$2,780
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,510–$6,710
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for New Orleans, LA → Chicago, IL. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Transportation Consultants INC
Legal name: Genius Trucking LLC
Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC
Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,800 to $2,680 for a studio, $2,700 to $4,020 for a one-bedroom, $4,510 to $6,710 for a two-bedroom, $7,210 to $10,730 for a three-bedroom and $9,920 to $14,750 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 972 road miles (824 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 17 h 28 min.
Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
Yes. Crossing from Louisiana into Illinois makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,450 to $2,040 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,890 to $2,780. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the New Orleans–Chicago corridor.