Moving from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
About 172 miles across a state line, from Kentucky into Tennessee, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN covers about 172 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $774 – $1,032 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 133 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 172 miles, about 3 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $774 – $1,032. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 3 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Lexington to Knoxville
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $581 – $774 | $418 – $557 | $279 – $372 |
| 1 bedroom | $697 – $929 | $502 – $669 | $334 – $446 |
| 2 bedrooms | $774 – $1,032 | $557 – $743 | $372 – $495 |
| 3 bedrooms | $890 – $1,187 | $641 – $854 | $427 – $570 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,006 – $1,342 | $724 – $966 | $483 – $644 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,161 – $1,548 | $836 – $1,115 | $557 – $743 |
Transport only, for an estimated 172 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Lexington to Knoxville
172 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $860. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $774 to $1,032, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Lexington to Knoxville
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 133 people a year (±81) moved from Fayette County, KY, home to Lexington, to Knox County, TN, home to Knoxville. Going the other way: about 200 people a year (±218). Movers from Fayette County make up 0.4% of the 31,755 people a year who moved into Knox County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 7,819 people a year (±1,873) moving from Kentucky to Tennessee and about 14,181 people a year (±4,150) from Tennessee to Kentucky — a net gain for Kentucky of about 6,362 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Jessamine County, KY | 1,874 ±681 |
| Jefferson County, KY | 1,698 ±323 |
| Scott County, KY | 1,045 ±312 |
| Madison County, KY | 551 ±230 |
| Franklin County, KY | 498 ±222 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Blount County, TN | 1,968 ±479 |
| Anderson County, TN | 1,759 ±392 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,325 ±385 |
| Hamilton County, TN | 1,090 ±304 |
| Sevier County, TN | 926 ±271 |
Licensed movers at each end
11 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Lexington (39 counting those licensed only inside Kentucky). 6 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 3.6% of their 55 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Van LinesUSDOT 3406146 | Lexington · 2 mi | 26 trucks | 50 | 2.9% of 35 |
| My 3 Sons MovingUSDOT 2934159 | Winchester · 20 mi | 12 trucks | 19 | 0.0% of 7 |
| Supermen MovingUSDOT 4185806 | Lexington · 3 mi | 6 trucks | 0 | — |
| 2 Dudes MovingUSDOT 2440213 | Lexington · 7 mi | 6 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Mantra MoversUSDOT 4097785 | Lexington · 4 mi | 5 trucks | 6 | 20.0% of 5 |
| T Peavler Moving Systems LLCUSDOT 834062 | Harrodsburg · 28 mi | 5 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 3 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Knoxville end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Knoxville: Gouffon Moving & Storage Company Inc (Knoxville, 17 trucks), Rowe Transfer Inc (Knoxville, 17 trucks), Fox Moving and Storage of East Tennessee LLC (Knoxville, 16 trucks), Carey Moving & Storage of Knoxville Inc (Knoxville, 9 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Kentucky into Tennessee, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Lexington to Knoxville
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 172 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Knoxville
A local move inside Knoxville later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $455 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $759 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Knoxville are Chattanooga (about 117 mi), Greenville (about 134 mi), Lexington (about 172 mi).
Other routes from Lexington
All routes from Lexington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington to Frankfort, KY | ~27 mi | $505 – $817 |
| Lexington to Louisville, KY | ~82 mi | $505 – $817 |
| Lexington to Cincinnati, OH | ~85 mi | $505 – $817 |
| Lexington to Dayton, OH | ~141 mi | $635 – $846 |
| Lexington to Indianapolis, IN | ~173 mi | $779 – $1,038 |
| Lexington to Columbus, OH | ~181 mi | $815 – $1,086 |
| Lexington to Nashville, TN | ~211 mi | $950 – $1,266 |
| Lexington to Pittsburgh, PA | ~340 mi | $1,530 – $2,040 |
Also moving to Knoxville: from Chattanooga, TN, from Atlanta, GA, from Nashville, TN, from Huntsville, AL.
Lexington to Knoxville moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Lexington to Knoxville?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 172 miles cost about $581 – $774 for a studio, $774 – $1,032 for a two-bedroom home and $890 – $1,187 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Lexington to Knoxville take?
The drive is about 3 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Lexington to Knoxville?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $372 – $495 for a two-bedroom home, against $774 – $1,032 with full-service movers; a moving container is $557 – $743.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Lexington to Knoxville?
Yes. Lexington is in Kentucky and Knoxville is in Tennessee, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 11 listed movers within 30 miles of Lexington hold it.
How many people move from Lexington to Knoxville each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 133 people a year (margin of error ±81) moved from Fayette County, which contains Lexington, to Knox County, which contains Knoxville.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.