($398+) Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Memphis, TN, runs anywhere from $387 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,844 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 422 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 $1,209, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,844 or more.
- Moving containers run $986 - $2,972, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $387 - $1,000.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Memphis, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,984 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 Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington to Memphis: 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 $1,984 - $5,061. 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 422 miles, expect 1 to 4 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 422-mile route from Lexington to Memphis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,209 - $4,221 | $986 - $1,689 | $387 - $731 | $854 - $1,444 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,984 - $5,061 | $1,202 - $2,443 | $404 - $792 | $981 - $1,881 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,167 - $7,844 | $1,674 - $2,972 | $486 - $1,000 | $1,223 - $2,449 |
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 Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
For the 422-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $1,209 and $7,844. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $267 - $1,780 (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 Lexington generally start around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $4,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,984 - $5,061
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,167 - $7,844
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 Lexington to Memphis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Memphis, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $445 - $4,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $178 - $1,068/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $267 - $2,136 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $890 - $2,670 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,225 - $8,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $667 - $1,266 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc. | $890 - $2,225 |
| Piano | Any piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $712 - $3,115 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $267 - $1,335 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $579 - $1,780 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $267 - $13,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $267 - $3,115+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington to Memphis?
- 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 Lexington, KY?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Lexington to Memphis with a local mover averages $2,083 - $5,314. Working with a local mover based in Lexington, KY often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Wildcat Moving LLC (4.7/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Lexington, ranked #1 in Kentucky, based on our analysis of feedback from 321 customers, 85.0% of which is positive.
Address: 236 Big Run Rd, Lexington, KY, 40503 | Founded: 2012
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $986 and $2,972. 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 Lexington typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $986 - $1,689
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,202 - $2,443
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,674 - $2,972
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $67 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $134 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 $623 in Lexington, KY, 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 Memphis, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kentucky 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 $986. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,202 - $2,443, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
Plan on $387 - $1,000 for a rental moving truck on the 422-mile route from Lexington, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $120 - $137
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Lexington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Lexington to Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $387 - $731
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $404 - $792
- 4+ bedrooms: $486 - $1,000
Pro tip: The base rate of $387 - $1,000 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Lexington to Memphis. Fuel ($120 - $137) , lodging at around $134/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $134 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 Lexington, Kentucky, usually costs about $623 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 422-mile drive falls between $120 and $137, 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 $267 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Lexington 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 Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Lexington, Kentucky, 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 Memphis, 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 $981 and $1,881.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,444
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $981 - $1,881
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,223 - $2,449
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Lexington, Kentucky, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $623.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $67 - $134 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington 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.
- Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Lexington to Memphis, 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: Lexington, KY vs Memphis, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Lexington and Memphis to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 86. Average rent: $1,345/mo vs. $1,299/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 90 vs. 35. Safety index: 49.12 vs. 22.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Memphis, TN to Lexington, KY guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Kentucky 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 27 movers in Kentucky, so you have real options to compare for this 422-mile move.
Our take
A move from Lexington, KY, to Memphis, 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 $1,209 - $7,844 on the 422-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $986 - $2,972, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $387 - $1,000. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,984 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 FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Memphis, TN
How walkable is Memphis?
Memphis has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, compared to 90 and 85 in Lexington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 49.12 and 50.88 in Lexington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Lexington, KY to Memphis, 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Lexington, KY 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 long does a move from Lexington, KY to Memphis, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
