Moving from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN
About 407 miles inside Tennessee. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by Tennessee, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN covers about 407 miles and is a move within Tennessee. Full-service movers cost $1,832 – $2,442 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 699 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 407 miles between Tennessee and Tennessee, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $1,832 – $2,442 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Within Tennessee
- Driving
- about 7 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Memphis to Knoxville
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,374 – $1,832 | $989 – $1,319 | $659 – $879 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,648 – $2,198 | $1,187 – $1,582 | $791 – $1,055 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,832 – $2,442 | $1,319 – $1,758 | $879 – $1,172 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,106 – $2,808 | $1,516 – $2,022 | $1,011 – $1,348 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,381 – $3,175 | $1,714 – $2,286 | $1,143 – $1,524 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,747 – $3,663 | $1,978 – $2,637 | $1,319 – $1,758 |
Transport only, for an estimated 407 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, Memphis to Knoxville
407 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,035. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,832 to $2,442, 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 Memphis to Knoxville
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 699 people a year (±232) moved from Shelby County, TN, home to Memphis, to Knox County, TN, home to Knoxville. Going the other way: about 283 people a year (±103). Movers from Shelby County make up 2.2% of the 31,755 people a year who moved into Knox County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, MS | 3,849 ±780 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,795 ±546 |
| Tipton County, TN | 1,536 ±551 |
| Fayette County, TN | 1,060 ±318 |
| Knox County, TN | 699 ±232 |
| 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
45 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Memphis. 21 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 22.2% of their 81 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing IncUSDOT 296790 | Memphis · 5 mi | 20 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Big League Movers IncUSDOT 1999318 | Memphis · 10 mi | 20 trucks | 31 | 15.0% of 20 |
| Guardian Moving Systems IncUSDOT 534684 | Memphis · 14 mi | 17 trucks | 3 | 100.0% of 1 |
| Cooper & Cooper Moving IncUSDOT 501893 | Memphis · 11 mi | 13 trucks | 7 | 33.3% of 6 |
| Ewing Moving Service IncUSDOT 435272 | Memphis · 9 mi | 11 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 6 |
| Black Tie Moving Memphis LPUSDOT 2782498 | Bartlett · 15 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | 100.0% of 1 |
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
Both ends are in Tennessee, so Tennessee rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which Tennessee licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside Tennessee, so your protection on this 407-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Memphis to Knoxville
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 407 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
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 Memphis
All routes from Memphis, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis to Little Rock, AR | ~151 mi | $680 – $906 |
| Memphis to Jackson, MS | ~229 mi | $1,031 – $1,374 |
| Memphis to Nashville, TN | ~230 mi | $1,035 – $1,380 |
| Memphis to Huntsville, AL | ~231 mi | $1,040 – $1,386 |
| Memphis to Birmingham, AL | ~253 mi | $1,139 – $1,518 |
| Memphis to Chattanooga, TN | ~313 mi | $1,409 – $1,878 |
| Memphis to Louisville, KY | ~374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Memphis to Baton Rouge, LA | ~386 mi | $1,737 – $2,316 |
Also moving to Knoxville: from Chattanooga, TN, from Lexington, KY, from Atlanta, GA, from Nashville, TN.
Memphis to Knoxville moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Memphis to Knoxville?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 407 miles cost about $1,374 – $1,832 for a studio, $1,832 – $2,442 for a two-bedroom home and $2,106 – $2,808 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Memphis to Knoxville take?
The drive is about 7 hours, but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Memphis to Knoxville?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $879 – $1,172 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,832 – $2,442 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,319 – $1,758.
Is Memphis to Knoxville an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in Tennessee, so the move is regulated by Tennessee rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever Tennessee requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Memphis to Knoxville each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 699 people a year (margin of error ±232) moved from Shelby County, which contains Memphis, 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.