($426+) Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $417 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,113 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 492 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 $1,147, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,113 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,012 - $3,145, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $417 - $1,102.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Pittsburgh, PA, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,108 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Pittsburgh to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,108 - $5,230 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 492-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 492-mile route from Pittsburgh 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 $1,147 - $3,697 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,012 - $1,811), rental truck ($417 - $818), or freight trailer ($884 - $1,582). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,108 - $5,230 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,113.
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 Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,147 and $8,113. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 492-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $276 - $1,840, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Pittsburgh and Knoxville. For a rough baseline, movers based in Pittsburgh tend to start around $185 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Pittsburgh to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,147 - $3,697
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,108 - $5,230
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,652 - $8,113
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 Pittsburgh to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 73% of Pittsburgh 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 packing91% of local movers | $460 - $4,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready73% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $184 - $1,104/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $276 - $2,208 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $920 - $2,760 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,300 - $9,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $689 - $1,309 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $920 - $2,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type73% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $736 - $3,220 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling27% of local movers | $276 - $1,380 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $598 - $1,840 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $276 - $13,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $276 - $3,220+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Pittsburgh 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.
How much do local movers cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Pittsburgh to Knoxville with a local mover averages $2,045 - $5,074. A local mover in Pittsburgh, PA is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Don Farr Moving & Storage (4.64/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Pittsburgh, ranked #2 in Pennsylvania, based on our analysis of feedback from 415 customers, 50.8% of which is positive.
Address: 1200 Lebanon Road Unit 520, West Mifflin, PA, 15122 | Founded: 1981
Moving container costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,012 and $3,145. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Pittsburgh costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Pittsburgh to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,012 - $1,811
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,308 - $2,475
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,589 - $3,145
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Pittsburgh, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $644, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $69 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $138 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Pittsburgh, PA, and Knoxville, TN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania 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 $1,012. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,308 - $2,475, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh:
- South Hills Movers (4.1/5), 96 years in business
- Diversity Moving Company (4.9/5), 16 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $417 - $1,102 for the 492-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $144 - $165
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Pittsburgh daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Pittsburgh to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $417 - $818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $431 - $961
- 4+ bedrooms: $571 - $1,102
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $417 - $1,102 does not include fuel ($144 - $165) , lodging ($138/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Pittsburgh to Knoxville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $138 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, usually costs about $644 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 492-mile drive falls between $144 and $165, 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 $46 and $276 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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 $977 and $1,979.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Pittsburgh to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $884 - $1,582
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $977 - $1,979
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,541
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $69 - $138 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for about five hours typically runs $644.
What are the best freight companies from Pittsburgh to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Pitt Ohio (4.5/5 stars): Pitt Ohio is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: Pittsburgh, PA vs Knoxville, TN
Pittsburgh and Knoxville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Pittsburgh and 92 in Knoxville, and rent tracks closely too ($1,500/mo vs. $1,795/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (62 vs 31) and safety scores (62.26 vs 57.46) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Pittsburgh, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania alone has 106 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 492-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 492-mile route from Pittsburgh, PA, to Knoxville, TN, run $1,147 - $8,113 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,012 - $3,145, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $417 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,108, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Knoxville, TN
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 do local movers charge in Pittsburgh?
Local movers based in Pittsburgh typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/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.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Pittsburgh, PA to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,147 to $8,113, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,147 and $8,113, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Pittsburgh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 73% of movers in Pittsburgh handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
