Moving during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans requires knowing parade routes, street closure schedules, and which neighborhoods are inaccessible on which days. AD Movers has been navigating Mardi Gras moves in New Orleans since 2013 — and we have a system that gets you moved without the parade-day nightmare. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Mardi Gras season in New Orleans runs from January 6th (Twelfth Night) through Fat Tuesday — typically spanning 4–6 weeks depending on the year's calendar. Moving during this window is absolutely possible, and thousands of New Orleanians do it every year. But it requires understanding which streets close, when, and how to plan around the parade schedule.
New Orleans parade routes affect primarily two corridors:
Neighborhoods not affected on most parade days: Lakeview, Gentilly, Bayou St. John, the Marigny, Bywater, Tremé, Algiers, and most of the Westbank. These areas remain fully accessible even during major parade nights.
The best strategy for moving during Mardi Gras in New Orleans depends on where you're moving from and to:
Early-week moves in January or early February — before the major krewe parade season starts — offer full street access, better crew availability, and sometimes lower pricing due to lower demand.
The 2-3 weekends before Fat Tuesday — when Endymion, Bacchus, and other major krewes roll — create significant street closures in Uptown and Mid-City from late afternoon into the night.
Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) is the hardest moving day in New Orleans. Unless your move is entirely outside the parade corridor, we recommend scheduling the day before or after if at all possible.
Many New Orleans leases turn over February 1st — which often falls during Mardi Gras season. If you have a Feb 1st move-out, book your moving company 4-6 weeks early — it's one of the busiest moving days of the year.
AD Movers has been handling Mardi Gras season moves in New Orleans since 2013. Here's what our approach looks like:
AD Movers does not charge a Mardi Gras surcharge. Our pricing is the same year-round — hourly with a 2-hour minimum. However, Mardi Gras season is one of the busiest moving periods in New Orleans (especially around February 1st lease turnovers), so availability is limited. Book early.
Get a transparent ballpark price for your Mardi Gras season move at admoversla.com/moving-quote/ — no calls required, takes 60 seconds.
Yes — with proper planning. Most neighborhoods outside the parade routes are fully accessible even on parade days. The key is knowing the parade schedule before you book and planning your route accordingly. AD Movers manages this for you.
Uptown parades primarily affect St. Charles Avenue from Napoleon to Canal. Mid-City parades affect Canal Street and Jefferson Davis Parkway. Fat Tuesday closures extend to most of the CBD and central city. Check nola.gov for the official schedule each year.
4–6 weeks is recommended. February 1st lease turnovers and the weeks surrounding major parade weekends are the busiest moving days of the year in New Orleans. The earlier you book, the better your window options.
No. Our pricing is the same year-round — hourly rate, 2-hour minimum, no holiday or season surcharges. Get a ballpark price at admoversla.com/moving-quote/ in 60 seconds.
AD Movers monitors street closures in real time on move day and reroutes through alternative corridors like Earhart Expressway, I-10, or Claiborne Avenue. If a parade-day closure makes your move impossible, we reschedule at no charge.
The week after Fat Tuesday (Ash Wednesday and beyond) is often an excellent time to move in New Orleans — demand drops sharply, availability improves, and the city is fully accessible again. If your timeline allows, the week after Mardi Gras is one of the best-kept scheduling secrets in New Orleans moving.
Get a transparent ballpark price in 60 seconds. We'll plan your move around the parade schedule and ensure you get settled without the parade-day headaches.
