($434+) Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $434 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,966 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 540 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 $1,217, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,966 or more.
- Moving containers run $976 - $3,148, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $434 - $1,108.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,849 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Virginia Beach to Knoxville: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,849 - $4,948. Moving containers run about 36% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 540-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 540-mile route from Virginia Beach to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,217 - $3,587 | $976 - $1,633 | $434 - $776 | $819 - $1,563 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,849 - $4,948 | $1,178 - $2,468 | $468 - $919 | $962 - $1,787 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,552 - $6,966 | $1,585 - $3,148 | $567 - $1,108 | $1,359 - $2,494 |
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers for the 540-mile relocation from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,217 and $6,966. 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 $299 - $1,996, 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 Virginia Beach typically charge a base rate around $183 plus $97 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,217 - $3,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,849 - $4,948
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,552 - $6,966
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 Virginia Beach to Knoxville.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Virginia Beach 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 packing67% of local movers | $499 - $4,990 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $200 - $1,198/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $299 - $2,395 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $998 - $2,994 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,495 - $9,980 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $748 - $1,420 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $998 - $2,495 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $798 - $3,493 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $299 - $1,497 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $649 - $1,996 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $299 - $14,970+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $299 - $3,493+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Virginia Beach, VA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $976 and $3,148. 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 Virginia Beach typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,633
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,178 - $2,468
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,585 - $3,148
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Virginia Beach, VA 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 $699 in Virginia Beach, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $150 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 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 $976. 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 $1,178 - $2,468.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Southside Moving and Storage (3.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
Plan on $434 - $1,108 for a rental moving truck on the 540-mile route from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $171 - $196
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Virginia Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Virginia Beach to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $434 - $776
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $468 - $919
- 4+ bedrooms: $567 - $1,108
Pro tip: The base rate of $434 - $1,108 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Virginia Beach to Knoxville. Fuel ($171 - $196), lodging at around $150/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $150 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $65 and $324 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $171 - $196 in fuel for the 540-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $699 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $962 and $1,787.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $819 - $1,563
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $962 - $1,787
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,359 - $2,494
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 $75 - $150 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $699.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Virginia Beach to Knoxville. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Virginia Beach, VA vs Knoxville, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Virginia Beach and Knoxville to plan around. Cost of living index: 105 vs. 92. Average rent: $1,950/mo vs. $1,795/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 33 vs. 31. Safety index: 58.0 vs. 57.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Virginia Beach, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 304 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 540-mile move.
Our take
A move from Virginia Beach, VA, 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 $1,217 - $6,966 on the 540-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $976 - $3,148, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $434 - $1,108. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,849 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 Virginia Beach, VA, to Knoxville, TN
How long does a move from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($171 - $196), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $150/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $468 - $919. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Virginia Beach, VA to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $434 to $6,966, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,217 and $6,966, 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.