Moving from Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN
About 921 miles across a state line, from Texas 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 Houston, TX to Knoxville, TN covers about 921 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,145 – $5,526 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 263 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 921 miles between Texas 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 $4,145 – $5,526 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Houston to Knoxville
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,108 – $4,145 | $2,238 – $2,984 | $1,492 – $1,989 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,730 – $4,973 | $2,686 – $3,581 | $1,790 – $2,387 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,145 – $5,526 | $2,984 – $3,979 | $1,989 – $2,652 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,766 – $6,355 | $3,432 – $4,576 | $2,288 – $3,050 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,388 – $7,184 | $3,879 – $5,172 | $2,586 – $3,448 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,217 – $8,289 | $4,476 – $5,968 | $2,984 – $3,979 |
Transport only, for an estimated 921 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, Houston to Knoxville
921 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,605. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,145 to $5,526, 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 Houston to Knoxville
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 263 people a year (±157) moved from Harris County, TX, home to Houston, to Knox County, TN, home to Knoxville. Going the other way: about 91 people a year (±92). Movers from Harris County make up 0.8% 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 12,798 people a year (±2,792) moving from Texas to Tennessee and about 7,588 people a year (±2,431) from Tennessee to Texas — a net gain for Tennessee of about 5,210 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Fort Bend County, TX | 22,603 ±2,833 |
| Montgomery County, TX | 14,783 ±1,771 |
| Galveston County, TX | 8,605 ±1,230 |
| Brazoria County, TX | 8,171 ±2,118 |
| Travis County, TX | 5,495 ±746 |
| 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
82 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Houston (570 counting those licensed only inside Texas). 35 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 27.3% of their 110 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Men MoversUSDOT 1914113 | Houston · 10 mi | 95 trucks | 4 | 100.0% of 4 |
| G and S Moving & StorageUSDOT 511433 | Houston · 4 mi | 35 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| American Knights MovingUSDOT 1977907 | Houston · 6 mi | 20 trucks | 39 | 26.9% of 26 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Woodlands LLCUSDOT 2491964 | Houston · 17 mi | 19 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Cajun MoversUSDOT 752804 | Fresno · 17 mi | 16 trucks | 4 | 50.0% of 4 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Houston LLCUSDOT 1296282 | Houston · 15 mi | 15 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 6 |
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 Texas 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 Houston 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 921 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 Houston
All routes from Houston, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Houston to Austin, TX | 162 mi | $729 – $972 |
| Houston to San Antonio, TX | 197 mi | $887 – $1,182 |
| Houston to Corpus Christi, TX | ~216 mi | $972 – $1,296 |
| Houston to Lafayette, LA | ~236 mi | $1,062 – $1,416 |
| Houston to Dallas, TX | 239 mi | $1,076 – $1,434 |
| Houston to Fort Worth, TX | ~277 mi | $1,247 – $1,662 |
| Houston to McKinney, TX | ~291 mi | $1,310 – $1,746 |
| Houston to Baton Rouge, LA | ~297 mi | $1,337 – $1,782 |
Also moving to Knoxville: from Chattanooga, TN, from Lexington, KY, from Atlanta, GA, from Nashville, TN.
Houston to Knoxville moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Houston to Knoxville?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 921 miles cost about $3,108 – $4,145 for a studio, $4,145 – $5,526 for a two-bedroom home and $4,766 – $6,355 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Houston to Knoxville take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 17 hours of driving), 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 Houston to Knoxville?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,989 – $2,652 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,145 – $5,526 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,984 – $3,979.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Houston to Knoxville?
Yes. Houston is in Texas and Knoxville is in Tennessee, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 82 listed movers within 30 miles of Houston hold it.
How many people move from Houston to Knoxville each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 263 people a year (margin of error ±157) moved from Harris County, which contains Houston, 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.