($487+) Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Tampa, FL, runs anywhere from $512 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,944 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 668 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 $1,535, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,944 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,051 - $3,343, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $512 - $1,321.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Tampa, FL. 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.

Compare moving options from Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

Moving options from Knoxville to Tampa fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,266 - $6,125 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 668 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 668-mile route from Knoxville to Tampa, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,535 - $4,574, container $1,051 - $1,920, rental truck $512 - $1,006, freight trailer $983 - $1,763.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,266 - $6,125, container $1,429 - $2,605, rental truck $558 - $1,115, freight trailer $1,133 - $2,169.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,983 - $8,944, container $1,839 - $3,343, rental truck $711 - $1,321, freight trailer $1,516 - $2,895.

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 Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

Hiring full-service movers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Tampa, Florida, costs between $1,535 and $8,944. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 668-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $290 - $1,936, 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 Knoxville and Tampa. For a rough baseline, movers based in Knoxville tend to start around $170 plus $113/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 Knoxville to Tampa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,535 - $4,574
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,266 - $6,125
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,983 - $8,944

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 Tampa.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Florida. 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 Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Tampa, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$484 - $4,840
Storage in transitNew place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$194 - $1,162/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$290 - $2,323
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$968 - $2,904
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,420 - $9,680
Car shippingSecond vehicle$725 - $1,377
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$968 - $2,420
PianoAny piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage$774 - $3,388
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$290 - $1,452
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $629 - $1,936
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$290 - $14,520+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$290 - $3,388+

What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Tampa?

All three below meet the standards set by the Professional Movers Association of Florida, the group most Florida movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Knoxville, TN, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.

Moving container costs from Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Tampa, Florida, cost between $1,051 and $3,343. 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 Knoxville typically runs around $60/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Tampa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $1,920
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,605
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,839 - $3,343

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 Tampa, FL, 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 Florida 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 $1,051. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,429 - $2,605, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Tampa?

  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 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 Tampa, FL

A rental truck for this 668-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Tampa, Florida, costs between $512 and $1,321. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $206 - $235
  • 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 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 Knoxville to Tampa based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $512 - $1,006
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $558 - $1,115
  • 4+ bedrooms: $711 - $1,321

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $512 - $1,321 when pricing out a rental truck from Knoxville to Tampa. Fuel alone runs ($206 - $235) , and overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

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 $73 and $339.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $145.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $206 and $235 for the 668-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 $678 for 2 movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Tampa?

  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 Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL

If you're moving a larger household from Knoxville, Tennessee, 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 Tampa, Florida.

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 $1,133 and $2,169.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $983 - $1,763
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,133 - $2,169
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,516 - $2,895

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

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 $73 and $145.
  • 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 Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $678.

What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Tampa?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. 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 operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Knoxville to Tampa, 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: Knoxville, TN vs Tampa, FL

Day-to-day costs in Tampa are close to what you're used to in Knoxville: cost of living index of 104 versus 92, with average rent of $1,930/mo compared to $1,795/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 31/100 and 57.46/100 in Knoxville versus 51/100 and 53.85/100 in Tampa.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tampa, FL to Knoxville, TN guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Tennessee to Florida, 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 70 movers in Tennessee, so you have real options to compare for this 668-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 668-mile route from Knoxville, TN, to Tampa, FL, run $1,535 - $8,944 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,051 - $3,343, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $512 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,266, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bloomin' Brands and Sykes Enterprises.

FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Tampa, FL

What are the best neighborhoods in Tampa?

For families, Bayshore Beautiful, Bayshore Gardens, and Beach Park are worth a look in Tampa. If you're moving solo or without kids, Channel District, Courier City-Oscawana, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?

Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.

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 Tampa run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Tampa, FL?

Costs on this route range from around $1,535 to $8,944, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,535 and $8,944, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

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.