($740+) Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to San Antonio, TX, runs anywhere from $740 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,912 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,116 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,303, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,912 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,171 - $4,102, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $740 - $2,019.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to San Antonio, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,634 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to San Antonio: 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 $2,634 - $6,054. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 71% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,116-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 1,116-mile route from Knoxville to San Antonio, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,303 - $5,238, container $1,171 - $2,143, rental truck $740 - $1,395, freight trailer $1,043 - $2,029.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,634 - $6,054, container $1,539 - $3,169, rental truck $762 - $1,529, freight trailer $1,243 - $2,585.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,443 - $8,912, container $2,059 - $4,102, rental truck $957 - $2,019, freight trailer $1,748 - $3,413.
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 Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX
Full-service movers for the 1,116-mile relocation from Knoxville, Tennessee, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $2,303 and $8,912. 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 $275 - $1,832, 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 San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,303 - $5,238
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,634 - $6,054
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,443 - $8,912
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 San Antonio.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Antonio, 72% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $458 - $4,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $183 - $1,099/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $275 - $2,198 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs71% of local movers | $916 - $2,748 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,290 - $9,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $686 - $1,303 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $916 - $2,290 |
| Piano | Any piano type57% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $733 - $3,206 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $275 - $1,374 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $595 - $1,832 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $275 - $13,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $275 - $3,206+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to San Antonio?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to San Antonio, Texas, cost between $1,171 and $4,102. 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 San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,171 - $2,143
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,539 - $3,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,059 - $4,102
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $137 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Antonio, TX, 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 $641 in Knoxville, TN. 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 Tennessee to Texas 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 $1,171. 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 $1,539 - $3,169.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to San Antonio?
- 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:
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX
Truck rentals from Knoxville, Tennessee, to San Antonio, Texas, range from $740 - $2,019 for the 1,116-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $325 - $372
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 San Antonio based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $740 - $1,395
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $762 - $1,529
- 4+ bedrooms: $957 - $2,019
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Knoxville to San Antonio starts at $740 - $2,019, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($325 - $372), overnight lodging ($137/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $137 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 $60 and $298 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $325 - $372 in fuel for the 1,116-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $641 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to San Antonio?
- 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 San Antonio, TX
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 Knoxville, Tennessee, to San Antonio, Texas. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,243 and $2,585.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to San Antonio:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,043 - $2,029
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,243 - $2,585
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,748 - $3,413
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?
- 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 $69 - $137 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for about five hours typically runs $641.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to San Antonio?
- 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 are a great option when you need your belongings in San Antonio fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Knoxville, TN vs San Antonio, TX
Knoxville and San Antonio land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 92 in Knoxville and 91 in San Antonio, and average rent is $1,795/mo vs. $1,496/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 31 vs 37 and safety scores are 57.46 vs 51.94.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Texas 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 181 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 1,116-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Knoxville, TN, to San Antonio, TX, 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 $2,303 - $8,912 on the 1,116-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,171 - $4,102 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $740 - $2,019 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,634 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to San Antonio tend to point to diversity and sight-seeing, though abundant stray pets and brutal summers come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Joint Base San Antonio (Three Military Bases) and H-E-B.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to San Antonio, TX
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What is the best time of year to move from Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is San Antonio a safe place to live?
San Antonio has a safety index of 51.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 48.06, compared to 57.46 and 42.54 in Knoxville. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX?
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 $762 - $1,529. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 57% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.