($540+) Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Moving from Detroit, MI, to Memphis, TN, runs anywhere from $551 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,349 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 743 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 $1,831, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,349 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,149 - $3,479, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $551 - $1,504.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Detroit, MI, to Memphis, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,388 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Moving options from Detroit to Memphis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,388 - $6,376 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 743-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 743-mile route from Detroit to Memphis, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,831 - $4,791 $1,149 - $1,910 $551 - $1,004 $936 - $1,845
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,388 - $6,376 $1,462 - $2,730 $607 - $1,290 $1,080 - $2,096
4+ bedrooms $4,213 - $8,349 $1,846 - $3,479 $736 - $1,504 $1,507 - $2,984

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Hiring full-service movers from Detroit, Michigan, to Memphis, Tennessee, costs between $1,831 and $8,349. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 743-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $269 - $1,792, 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 Detroit and Memphis. For a rough baseline, movers based in Detroit tend to start around $248 plus $100/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 Detroit to Memphis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,831 - $4,791
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,388 - $6,376
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,213 - $8,349

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 Detroit to Memphis.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Michigan to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Detroit 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$448 - $4,480
Storage in transitNew place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$179 - $1,075/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$269 - $2,150
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$896 - $2,688
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,240 - $8,960
Car shippingSecond vehicle$671 - $1,275
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC$896 - $2,240
PianoAny piano type59% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO.$717 - $3,136
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling16% of local movers$269 - $1,344
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: White Star Movers, Inc.$582 - $1,792
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$269 - $13,440+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$269 - $3,136+

What are the best full-service movers from Detroit to Memphis?

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Detroit, MI. 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 Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Moving containers from Detroit, Michigan, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,149 and $3,479. 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 Detroit runs about $85/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Detroit to Memphis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $1,910
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,462 - $2,730
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,846 - $3,479

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $134 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Memphis, TN, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
  • Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $627 in Detroit, MI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Michigan 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 $1,149. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,462 - $2,730, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Detroit to Memphis?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 15 years in business
  • O'Sullivan Moving & Storage CO. (4.3/5), 44 years in business
  • Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 42 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Renting a moving truck for the 743-mile move from Detroit, Michigan, to Memphis, Tennessee, costs between $551 and $1,504, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $212 - $242
  • Daily insurance: $27/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
  • Detroit daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Detroit to Memphis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $551 - $1,004
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $607 - $1,290
  • 4+ bedrooms: $736 - $1,504

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Detroit to Memphis starts at $551 - $1,504, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($212 - $242) , overnight lodging ($134/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 $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 Detroit, Michigan, usually costs about $627 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 743-mile drive falls between $212 and $242, 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 $269 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Detroit to Memphis?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Detroit, Michigan, to Memphis, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,080 and $2,096.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Detroit to Memphis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $936 - $1,845
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,080 - $2,096
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,507 - $2,984

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $67 and $134.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Detroit, Michigan, for roughly five hours typically average $627.

What are the best freight companies from Detroit to Memphis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. 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: 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: Detroit, MI vs Memphis, TN

Detroit and Memphis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Detroit and 86 in Memphis, and rent tracks closely too ($1,250/mo vs. $1,299/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (51 vs 35) and safety scores (27.08 vs 22.51) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Memphis, TN to Detroit, MI guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Michigan 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 84 movers in our Michigan network to compare for this 743-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Detroit, MI, to Memphis, TN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,831 - $8,349 on the 743-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,149 - $3,479 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $551 - $1,504 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,388 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.

FAQs: Moving from Detroit, MI, to Memphis, TN

What do local movers charge in Detroit?

Local movers based in Detroit typically start around $248 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Memphis 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 Memphis?

For families, Bartlett, Cordova, and East Memphis are worth a look in Memphis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Binghampton, Cooper-Young, and Crosstown tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Memphis?

Memphis has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, compared to 51 and 52 in Detroit. 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 27.08 and 72.92 in Detroit. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What percentage of Detroit movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 59% of movers in Detroit handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.