Distance & lane
Longer cross-country runs, such as Los Angeles or Seattle, take more carrier time than nearby Houston. Lane demand and routing shape the quote.
Shipping to New Orleans: $900–$1,225
The table shows a sedan is the lower-cost baseline, while larger vehicles tend to cost more. Enclosed transport can make sense when extra protection matters; choose based on your car’s size and value.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,000 | $1,525 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,100 | $1,700 |
| Pickup truck | $1,200 | Quote on request |
| Van / minivan | $1,125 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving New Orleans, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA61 shipments on record | $1,075–$1,2003–7 days transit | |
| 2 | New York, NY43 shipments on record | $950–$1,2002–6 days transit | |
| 3 | Seattle, WA40 shipments on record | $1,275–$1,5253–7 days transit | |
| 4 | Washington, DC39 shipments on record | $875–$1,0751–4 days transit | |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA35 shipments on record | $1,100–$1,4503–7 days transit | |
| 6 | Boston, MA31 shipments on record | $1,025–$1,3252–6 days transit | |
| 7 | San Diego, CA29 shipments on record | $1,025–$1,2002–6 days transit | |
| 8 | Houston, TX23 shipments on record | $575–$6250–2 days transit | |
| 9 | Dallas, TX18 shipments on record | $675–$7500–2 days transit | |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA16 shipments on record | $875–$1,2001–5 days transit | |
$500$750$1,000$1,250$1,500$1,750 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Cars arriving in New Orleans most often come from California and Florida; New York and New Jersey are also notable origins on record. That mix includes long-haul and regional routes, so coordinate delivery with your move-in plans instead of assuming the car arrives alongside you.
Shipments delivered to New Orleans on record, by origin state.
Easily done and with no headache! Pickup was well done and delivery was right on time. Highly recommended.Thank you’ George in New Orleans
I had my BMW transferred from North Carolina to Nevada, and the entire process was handled very professionally. From the initial agreement to the final drop-off, everyone involved was courteous and kept me informed throughout the entire transfer.
Everything went smoothly, from set-up, to pick-up, to delivery. The men picking up the vehicle were friendly and professional. I would highly recommend them and would use them again!
Longer cross-country runs, such as Los Angeles or Seattle, take more carrier time than nearby Houston. Lane demand and routing shape the quote.
Louisiana’s hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Gulf storms can disrupt carrier schedules, especially in late summer and early fall.
Larger vehicles take up more trailer space, which can change the carrier and equipment needed for your shipment.
A truck may not be able to reach a tight French Quarter block or gated property, so access and loading setup can change the quote.
Enclosed trailers offer more protection for a high-value car, but cost more than open transport. The added cover may be worthwhile for a classic or especially valuable vehicle.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to the cost to ship a car.
If your address is on a tight French Quarter or Uptown block, arrange a legal, accessible meeting spot before pickup.
Tell the carrier about gates, narrow entrances, and curb restrictions so the driver can plan the handoff at your New Orleans address.
Offer a flexible pickup window to give the carrier more room to fit your shipment into a route.
Open transport suits many daily drivers; consider enclosed service for a high-value or classic car that needs added protection.
If you’re moving within Louisiana, request a quote using the actual pickup and delivery addresses instead of assuming it is a common in-state lane.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
If you’re moving to New Orleans, plan registration, title, and insurance tasks alongside your delivery. These Louisiana requirements can help you avoid extra trips after the car arrives.
New residents must apply to register each vehicle they drive on public roads within 30 days of establishing residency. [La. R.S. 47:513.2]
Complete Vehicle Application form (DPSMV 1799) and bring your out-of-state title, photo ID, and proof of Louisiana liability insurance to an OMV office or Public Tag Agent. Clear any recorded lien; cars under 20 years old need an odometer reading. [LA OMV]
Louisiana requires 15/30/25 liability coverage: $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injuries to more than one person in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. [LDI]
Testing applies only to gas-powered vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less registered in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, or West Baton Rouge parishes. [LDEQ]
Front side and side windows behind the driver must let in at least 25% of light; the back window must let in at least 12%. Trucks, vans, SUVs, and motor homes have no tint limit on windows behind the driver. [La. R.S. 32:361.1]
Louisiana toll bridges, including LA 1 to Grand Isle and Port Fourchon and the LA 23 Belle Chasse bridge, use GeauxPass. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway needs a separate account; out-of-state transponders are not accepted. [LA DOTD]
SAKAEM can arrange pickup and delivery across the French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, and Lakeview, with truck access planned around local street conditions. Routes use I-10, I-610, I-510, US 11, US 61, and US 90, and service extends to Metairie, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport.
Provide the route, vehicle details, condition, and preferred dates to get a quote shaped around your shipment.
Select open or enclosed transport and confirm pickup and delivery details with SAKAEM.
Stay in touch as SAKAEM coordinates your shipment with a carrier and confirms the pickup plan.
Check the car at delivery and document its condition before completing the handoff.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
For a running vehicle on open transport, typical New Orleans quotes on record are $900–$1,250 to ship from the city and $900–$1,225 to ship to it. Those ranges cover the middle half of customer quotes, not a guaranteed price. Route, season, vehicle size, and pickup access affect your quote.
For New Orleans routes, Houston typically takes 0–2 days on the road, Washington, DC 1–4 days, and Los Angeles 3–7 days. These are typical transit estimates for those destinations. Transit estimates start after pickup and aren’t guarantees; carrier scheduling and route conditions can affect your overall calendar.
All carriers SAKAEM works with are FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo insurance. Ask for the carrier’s insurance details before handoff, and document the car’s condition on the Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery.
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line; keep them secured and avoid placing anything in the passenger area. Confirm your load with the carrier before pickup, since extra cargo can affect handling and acceptance.
A non-running vehicle can be shipped if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and you provide a key. Tell SAKAEM about the condition when you request a quote so the carrier can plan suitable loading equipment and pickup access. Don’t assume an inoperable car can be loaded like a running one.
Payment options include a card, or cash or certified check paid to the carrier; Zelle and Venmo are accepted. SAKAEM requires no upfront deposit, and cancellation is free. Confirm the payment method with the carrier before pickup so you have the right option ready.
Yes. A designated adult must be present at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. If you cannot attend, arrange an adult you trust in advance, and make sure they can access the vehicle and point out any existing damage. This keeps the handoff clear for both sides.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a quote for your New Orleans shipment and plan a pickup that fits your route and vehicle.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA