New Orleans, LA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes

Typical cost to ship a car from New Orleans$900–$1,250

Shipping to New Orleans: $900–$1,225

At a glance

  • Popular laneHouston is a frequent lane: typical quotes are $575–$625, transit is 0–2 days, and 23 shipments are on record.
  • Arriving carsFor New Orleans arrivals, California leads with 222 shipments on record; Florida follows with 68.
  • Vehicle typeIn New Orleans, open transport typically costs $100 more for an SUV or crossover than a sedan.
  • Louisiana move-in ruleNew Louisiana residents must apply to register vehicles driven on public roads within 30 days of establishing residency [La. R.S. 47:513.2].
Prices by vehicle

What it costs to ship your vehicle from New Orleans

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.

VehicleOpen carrierEnclosed 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.

Popular routes

Top destinations from New Orleans

DestinationTypical rangeQuote · 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.

Where New Orleans cars come from

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.

  • California222
  • Florida68
  • New York56
  • New Jersey47
  • Washington34
  • Texas34

Shipments delivered to New Orleans on record, by origin state.

Reviews

What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM

4.6★599 Google reviews
A+BBB
2017Founded
★★★★★
Easily done and with no headache! Pickup was well done and delivery was right on time. Highly recommended.Thank you’ George in New Orleans
George WilliamsonJul 2025 · Google
★★★★★
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.
Rosemarie HugheyJun 2025 · Google
★★★★★
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!
Laura Liberty MitchellJun 2025 · Google
Cost factors

What moves the price of a New Orleans shipment

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.

Season

Louisiana’s hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Gulf storms can disrupt carrier schedules, especially in late summer and early fall.

Vehicle size

Larger vehicles take up more trailer space, which can change the carrier and equipment needed for your shipment.

Pickup access

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.

Open vs enclosed

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.

Save money

5 ways to pay less (and wait less)

  1. Choose a truck-friendly handoff

    If your address is on a tight French Quarter or Uptown block, arrange a legal, accessible meeting spot before pickup.

  2. Share access details early

    Tell the carrier about gates, narrow entrances, and curb restrictions so the driver can plan the handoff at your New Orleans address.

  3. Keep dates flexible

    Offer a flexible pickup window to give the carrier more room to fit your shipment into a route.

  4. Match the service to the car

    Open transport suits many daily drivers; consider enclosed service for a high-value or classic car that needs added protection.

  5. Get exact pricing for Louisiana moves

    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.

Moving to New Orleans

Your Louisiana car checklist

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.

  • Register promptly

    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]

  • Prepare title paperwork

    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]

  • Check liability coverage

    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]

  • Know where emissions tests apply

    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]

  • Review window tint limits

    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]

  • Check toll transponder rules

    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]

New Orleans at a glance

County
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Main roads
I-10, I-610, I-510, US 11
Neighborhoods
French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City
Nearby cities
Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, Metairie
Service area

Pickup and delivery in and around New Orleans

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.

New Orleans ZIP codes

  • 70112
  • 70113
  • 70114
  • 70115
  • 70116
  • 70117
  • 70118
  • 70119
  • 70121
  • 70122
  • 70123
  • 70124
  • 70125
  • 70126
  • 70127
  • 70128
How it works

Shipping your car in four steps

  1. Share your shipment details

    Provide the route, vehicle details, condition, and preferred dates to get a quote shaped around your shipment.

  2. Choose your service

    Select open or enclosed transport and confirm pickup and delivery details with SAKAEM.

  3. Coordinate the handoff

    Stay in touch as SAKAEM coordinates your shipment with a carrier and confirms the pickup plan.

  4. Review the vehicle

    Check the car at delivery and document its condition before completing the handoff.

FAQ

New Orleans car shipping questions

How much does it cost to ship a car to or from New Orleans?

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.

How long does car shipping to or from New Orleans take?

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.

Is my car insured during transport?

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.

Can I leave personal items in the car?

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.

Can you ship a non-running car?

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.

How do I pay for car shipping?

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.

Do I need to be present at pickup?

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.

Ready to ship your car in New Orleans?

Get a quote for your New Orleans shipment and plan a pickup that fits your route and vehicle.

Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [LA DOTD], [LA OMV], [LDEQ], [LDI], [La. R.S. 32:361.1], [La. R.S. 47:513.2], official state sources, verified 2026-10-01.

Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA