($519+) Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $484 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,600 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 626 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 $1,597, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,600 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,071 - $3,433, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $484 - $1,365.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,266 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 Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to Philadelphia: 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 $2,266 - $5,728. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 626-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 626-mile route from Knoxville to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,597 - $4,208 with full-service movers, $1,071 - $1,935 with a container, $484 - $961 with a rental truck, or $963 - $1,673 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,266 - $5,728 full-service, $1,388 - $2,573 by container, $554 - $1,151 by rental truck, or $1,035 - $1,996 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,003 - $8,600 full-service, $1,836 - $3,433 by container, $638 - $1,365 by rental truck, or $1,368 - $2,691 by freight.
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 Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Full-service movers for the 626-mile relocation from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,597 and $8,600. 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 $290 - $1,936, 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 Knoxville typically charge a base rate around $170 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,597 - $4,208
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,266 - $5,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,003 - $8,600
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 Knoxville to Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $484 - $4,840 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $194 - $1,162/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,323 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $968 - $2,904 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,420 - $9,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $725 - $1,377 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $968 - $2,420 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $774 - $3,388 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $290 - $1,452 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $629 - $1,936 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,520+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,388+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Philadelphia?
Look for Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Pennsylvania beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,071 and $3,433. 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 Knoxville costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,071 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,388 - $2,573
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,836 - $3,433
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 Knoxville, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $678, 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 $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $145 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Knoxville, TN, and Philadelphia, PA, 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 Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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 $1,071. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,388 - $2,573, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Philadelphia?
- 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 626 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, running $484 - $1,365. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $193 - $220
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Knoxville to Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $484 - $961
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $554 - $1,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $638 - $1,365
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Knoxville to Philadelphia starts at $484 - $1,365, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($193 - $220) , overnight lodging ($145/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $145 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 $63 and $315 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $193 - $220 in fuel for the 626-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $678 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Philadelphia?
- 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 Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA
For larger DIY moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,035 and $1,996.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $963 - $1,673
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,035 - $1,996
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,691
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 $73 - $145 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for about five hours typically runs $678.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Philadelphia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Hittman Transport Services, Inc. (4.26/5 stars): Hittman Transport Services, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Knoxville to Philadelphia. 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: Knoxville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA
Knoxville and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Knoxville and 104 in Philadelphia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,795/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (31 vs 75) and safety scores (57.46 vs 33.91) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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 70 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 626-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Knoxville, TN, to Philadelphia, PA, 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 $1,597 - $8,600 on the 626-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,071 - $3,433 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $484 - $1,365 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,266 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 Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Philadelphia, PA
What is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA?
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 $554 - $1,151. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA 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 do local movers charge in Knoxville?
Local movers based in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate, plus $113/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 Philadelphia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Knoxville, TN to Philadelphia, PA?
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 percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
