($617+) Rochester, NY to Memphis, TN Movers
Moving from Rochester, NY, to Memphis, TN, runs anywhere from $617 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,211 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 983 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 $1,803, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,211 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,165 - $3,877, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $617 - $1,816.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Rochester, NY, to Memphis, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,183 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 Memphis, TN
Moving options from Rochester to Memphis 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 $2,183 - $5,151 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 33% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 67% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 983 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 983-mile route from Rochester to Memphis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,803 - $4,314 | $1,165 - $2,036 | $617 - $1,256 | $986 - $1,986 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,183 - $5,151 | $1,469 - $3,096 | $730 - $1,537 | $1,175 - $2,312 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,630 - $7,211 | $2,040 - $3,877 | $924 - $1,816 | $1,616 - $3,193 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Rochester, NY to Memphis, TN
Full-service movers for the 983-mile relocation from Rochester, New York, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,803 and $7,211. 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 $263 - $1,756, 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 Rochester typically charge a base rate around $294 plus $216 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Rochester to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,803 - $4,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,183 - $5,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,630 - $7,211
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 Memphis.
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 Rochester, NY to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Rochester movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Memphis, 41% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $439 - $4,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Interior Moving Services Inc | $176 - $1,054/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $263 - $2,107 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $878 - $2,634 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,195 - $8,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $658 - $1,249 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items18% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Corrigan Moving Systems | $878 - $2,195 |
| Piano | Any piano type29% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Interior Moving Services Inc | $702 - $3,073 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $263 - $1,317 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Interior Moving Services Inc | $571 - $1,756 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $263 - $13,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $263 - $3,073+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Rochester to Memphis?
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Rochester, NY. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Rochester, NY to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from Rochester, New York, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,165 and $3,877. 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 Rochester typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Rochester to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,165 - $2,036
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,469 - $3,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,040 - $3,877
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $615 in Rochester, NY. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $66 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $132 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Memphis, TN, destination before booking.
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 $1,165. 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 $1,469 - $3,096.
What are the best moving containers Rochester to Memphis?
- 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
- Joe's Moving Co. (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Rochester, NY to Memphis, TN
Truck rentals from Rochester, New York, to Memphis, Tennessee, range from $617 - $1,816 for the 983-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $275 - $314
- Daily insurance: $26/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 Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $617 - $1,256
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $730 - $1,537
- 4+ bedrooms: $924 - $1,816
Pro tip: A rental truck from Rochester to Memphis looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $617 - $1,816. But once you factor in fuel ($275 - $314), overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $66 and $307.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $132.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $275 and $314 for the 983-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 $615 for 2 movers in Rochester, New York, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Rochester to Memphis?
- 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 Memphis, TN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Rochester, New York, to Memphis, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,175 and $2,312.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Rochester to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $986 - $1,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,175 - $2,312
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,616 - $3,193
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 $66 - $132 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 $615.
What are the best freight companies from Rochester to Memphis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
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: Rochester, NY vs Memphis, TN
Good news for your budget: Memphis isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Rochester. Cost of living index runs 86 there against 89 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 61/100 and 36.66/100 here versus 35/100 and 22.51/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Memphis, TN to Rochester, NY guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New York to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 469 movers in our New York network to compare for this 983-mile move.
Our take
The 983-mile move from Rochester, NY, to Memphis, TN, costs between $1,803 and $7,211 with full-service movers, $1,165 - $3,877 with a moving container, and $617 - $1,816 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,183 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from Rochester, NY, to Memphis, TN
What is the cheapest way to move from Rochester, NY to Memphis, 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 $730 - $1,537. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Memphis a safe place to live?
Memphis has a safety index of 22.51 out of 100 and a crime index of 77.49, compared to 36.66 and 37.54 in Rochester. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 is the best time of year to move from Rochester, NY to Memphis, 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.
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 Rochester movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 29% of movers in Rochester handle piano moves, and 18% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.