($317+) Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Columbus, GA, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $317 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,602 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 316 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,005, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,602 or more.
- Moving containers run $878 - $2,730, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $317 - $833.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbus, GA, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,677 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Columbus to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,677 - $4,401 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 79% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 316 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 316-mile route from Columbus to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,005 - $3,532 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($878 - $1,581), rental truck ($317 - $577), or freight trailer ($774 - $1,287). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,677 - $4,401 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,602.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 316-mile move from Columbus, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with prices running from $1,005 - $6,602. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $251 - $1,672 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Columbus and Knoxville are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Columbus movers tend to run around $315 as a base rate plus $140/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbus to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $3,532
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,677 - $4,401
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,437 - $6,602
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Columbus to Knoxville.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 84% of Columbus movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing68% of local movers | $418 - $4,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $167 - $1,003/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $251 - $2,006 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $836 - $2,508 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,090 - $8,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $626 - $1,190 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $836 - $2,090 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $669 - $2,926 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $251 - $1,254 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $543 - $1,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $251 - $12,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $251 - $2,926+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbus to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Columbus, GA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Columbus to Knoxville with a local mover averages $1,661 - $4,357. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Columbus, GA often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Coleman Worldwide Moving (4.44/5 stars) is a local mover in Columbus, based on our analysis of feedback from 428 customers, 88.3% of which is positive.
Address: 4520 Cargo Dr, Columbus, GA, 31907 | Founded: 1914
Moving container costs from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Columbus, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $878 and $2,730. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Columbus typically runs around $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbus to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $878 - $1,581
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,045 - $2,111
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,453 - $2,730
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $63 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $125 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Knoxville, TN, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $585 in Columbus, GA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Georgia to Tennessee move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $878. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,045 - $2,111.
What are the best moving containers Columbus to Knoxville?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Columbus to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Columbus:
- Apple Moving (4.0/5), 26 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
A rental truck for this 316-mile move from Columbus, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $317 and $833. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $84 - $96
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Columbus daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Columbus to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $317 - $577
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $352 - $704
- 4+ bedrooms: $398 - $833
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $317 - $833 when pricing out a rental truck from Columbus to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs $84 - $96, and overnight lodging ($125/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $63 and $293.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $125.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $84 and $96 for the 316-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $585 for 2 movers in Columbus, Georgia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbus to Knoxville?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Columbus, Georgia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $888 and $1,623.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbus to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $774 - $1,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $888 - $1,623
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,185 - $1,995
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $63 - $125 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Columbus, Georgia, typically costs $585.
What are the best freight companies from Columbus to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Knoxville quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Columbus, GA vs Knoxville, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Columbus and Knoxville to plan around. Cost of living index: 78 vs. 92. Average rent: $1,100/mo vs. $1,795/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 25 vs. 31. Safety index: 27.82 vs. 57.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Columbus, GA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Georgia to Tennessee, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Georgia alone has 256 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 316-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Columbus, GA, to Knoxville, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,005 for a studio to $6,602 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 316-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $878 - $2,730. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $317 - $833, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,677 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Columbus, GA, to Knoxville, TN
How long does a move from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Columbus, GA to Knoxville, TN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Knoxville a safe place to live?
Knoxville has a safety index of 57.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.54, compared to 27.82 and 72.18 in Columbus. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Knoxville?
Knoxville has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 30, compared to 25 and 31 in Columbus. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Columbus movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Columbus handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.