($564+) Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Rochester, NY, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $542 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,530 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 752 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,582, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,530 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,074 - $3,525, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $542 - $1,450.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Rochester, NY, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,112 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 Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Rochester to Knoxville: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,112 - $5,241. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 752 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 752-mile route from Rochester to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,582 - $4,159 | $1,074 - $1,932 | $542 - $1,039 | $996 - $1,758 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,112 - $5,241 | $1,393 - $2,763 | $626 - $1,234 | $1,137 - $2,210 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,814 - $7,530 | $1,829 - $3,525 | $732 - $1,450 | $1,494 - $2,849 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
For the 752-mile move from Rochester, New York, to Knoxville, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $1,582 and $7,530. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $271 - $1,804 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Rochester generally start around $294 plus $216 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Rochester to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,582 - $4,159
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,112 - $5,241
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,814 - $7,530
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 Rochester to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New York to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Rochester 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 packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $451 - $4,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $180 - $1,082/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $271 - $2,165 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs44% of local movers | $902 - $2,706 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,255 - $9,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $676 - $1,284 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items44% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $902 - $2,255 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $722 - $3,157 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling44% of local movers | $271 - $1,353 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect44% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sheridan Brothers Moving | $586 - $1,804 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $271 - $13,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $271 - $3,157+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Rochester to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Rochester, NY. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Rochester, New York, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,074 and $3,525. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Rochester runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Rochester to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,074 - $1,932
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,393 - $2,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,829 - $3,525
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Rochester, NY and Knoxville, TN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $631 in Rochester, NY, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $68 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $135 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New York 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 $1,074. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,393 - $2,763, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester:
- Sheridan Brothers Moving (4.0/5), 23 years in business
- Interior Moving Services Inc (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- Tony Caccamise Moving Co., Inc. (4.8/5), 50 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
Plan on $542 - $1,450 for a rental moving truck on the 752-mile route from Rochester, New York, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $216 - $247
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Rochester daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Rochester to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $542 - $1,039
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $626 - $1,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $732 - $1,450
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Rochester to Knoxville starts at $542 - $1,450, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($216 - $247) , overnight lodging ($135/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $135 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 Rochester, New York, usually costs about $631 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 752-mile drive falls between $216 and $247, 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 $45 and $271 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Rochester 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 Rochester, NY to Knoxville, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Rochester, New York, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,137 and $2,210.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Rochester to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,758
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,137 - $2,210
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,494 - $2,849
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 $68 - $135 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 Rochester, New York, typically costs $631.
What are the best freight companies from Rochester to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Stingray Transport, LLC (4.42/5 stars): Stingray Transport, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Rochester to Knoxville, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Rochester, NY vs Knoxville, TN
Rochester and Knoxville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 89 in Rochester and 92 in Knoxville, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,795/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (61 vs 31) and safety scores (36.66 vs 57.46) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Rochester, NY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New York to Tennessee, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 147 movers licensed in New York, useful context for sizing up this 752-mile move.
Our take
A move from Rochester, NY, to Knoxville, TN, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,582 - $7,530 on the 752-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,074 - $3,525, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $542 - $1,450. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,112 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Rochester, NY, to Knoxville, TN
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Rochester?
Local movers based in Rochester typically start around $294 as a base rate, plus $216/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Knoxville run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 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 walkable is Knoxville?
Knoxville has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 30, compared to 61 and 60 in Rochester. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Rochester movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Rochester handle piano moves, and 44% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
