($452+) Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $460 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,774 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 538 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,241, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,774 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,005 - $3,081, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $460 - $1,140.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,042 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Moving options from Chesapeake to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,042 - $5,299 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 538-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 538-mile route from Chesapeake to Knoxville, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,241 - $3,765 $1,005 - $1,858 $460 - $839 $950 - $1,689
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,042 - $5,299 $1,236 - $2,617 $468 - $965 $1,041 - $1,934
4+ bedrooms $3,766 - $7,774 $1,715 - $3,081 $619 - $1,140 $1,399 - $2,516

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Full-service movers for the 538-mile relocation from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,241 and $7,774. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $298 - $1,984, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chesapeake typically charge a base rate around $290 plus $125 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Knoxville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,241 - $3,765
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,042 - $5,299
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,766 - $7,774

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 Chesapeake to Knoxville.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chesapeake movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Knoxville, 67% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$496 - $4,960
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$198 - $1,190/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$298 - $2,381
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers$992 - $2,976
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,480 - $9,920
Car shippingSecond vehicle$743 - $1,412
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items48% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers$992 - $2,480
PianoAny piano type81% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$794 - $3,472
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$298 - $1,488
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect24% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving $645 - $1,984
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$298 - $14,880+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$298 - $3,472+

What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Knoxville?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chesapeake, VA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,005 and $3,081. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Chesapeake typically costs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Knoxville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,858
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,236 - $2,617
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,081

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $149 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $694 in Chesapeake, VA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Knoxville, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,005. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,236 - $2,617, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Knoxville?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
  • Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
  • Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Renting a moving truck for the 538-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $460 and $1,140, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $170 - $194
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Knoxville based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $460 - $839
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $468 - $965
  • 4+ bedrooms: $619 - $1,140

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $460 - $1,140 when pricing out a rental truck from Chesapeake to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs ($170 - $194) , and overnight lodging ($149/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $149 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chesapeake, Virginia, usually costs about $694 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 538-mile drive falls between $170 and $194, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $50 and $298 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Knoxville?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chesapeake, VA to Knoxville, TN

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,041 and $1,934.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Knoxville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $950 - $1,689
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $1,934
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,399 - $2,516

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

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 $74 - $149 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 Chesapeake, Virginia, typically costs $694.

What are the best freight companies from Chesapeake to Knoxville?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Knoxville, TN

Day-to-day costs in Knoxville are close to what you're used to in Chesapeake: cost of living index of 92 versus 104, with average rent of $1,795/mo compared to $1,800/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 21/100 and 70.88/100 in Chesapeake versus 31/100 and 57.46/100 in Knoxville.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Chesapeake, VA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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. Virginia alone has 104 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 538-mile move like this one.

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Our take

For a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Knoxville, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,241 for a studio to $7,774 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 538-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,005 - $3,081. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $460 - $1,140, 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 $2,042 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 Chesapeake, VA, to Knoxville, TN

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chesapeake, VA 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 70.88 and 25.0 in Chesapeake. 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 21 and 35 in Chesapeake. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What are the best neighborhoods in Knoxville?

For families, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Maryville are worth a look in Knoxville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?

Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.

What percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 81% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 48% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.