($510+) Knoxville, TN to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $525 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,095 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 691 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 $1,696, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,095 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,126 - $3,598, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $525 - $1,414.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,292 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 St. Petersburg, FL
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to St. Petersburg: 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 $2,292 - $6,168. 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 691-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 691-mile route from Knoxville to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,696 - $4,316 with full-service movers, $1,126 - $2,021 with a container, $525 - $953 with a rental truck, or $956 - $1,784 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,292 - $6,168 full-service, $1,418 - $2,692 by container, $567 - $1,179 by rental truck, or $1,146 - $2,089 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,088 - $8,095 full-service, $1,879 - $3,598 by container, $693 - $1,414 by rental truck, or $1,414 - $2,907 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 St. Petersburg, FL
For the 691-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, full-service movers cost between $1,696 and $8,095. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $289 - $1,928 (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 Knoxville generally start around $170 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,696 - $4,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,292 - $6,168
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,088 - $8,095
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 St. Petersburg.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $482 - $4,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $193 - $1,157/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,314 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $964 - $2,892 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,410 - $9,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $722 - $1,372 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $964 - $2,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $771 - $3,374 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $289 - $1,446 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $627 - $1,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,374+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to St. Petersburg?
Movers licensed to operate in Florida are typically members of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,126 and $3,598. 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 St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,126 - $2,021
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,418 - $2,692
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,879 - $3,598
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $145 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Petersburg, FL, 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 $675 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 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 $1,126. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,418 - $2,692, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Truck rentals from Knoxville, Tennessee, to St. Petersburg, Florida, range from $525 - $1,414 for the 691-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $212 - $242
- 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 St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $525 - $953
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $567 - $1,179
- 4+ bedrooms: $693 - $1,414
Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to St. Petersburg looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $525 - $1,414. But once you factor in fuel ($212 - $242) , overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $675.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $212 - $242 for the 691-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $58 and $313, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night for hotel stops on the 691-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $289 - $434.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, 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 $1,146 and $2,089.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,784
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,146 - $2,089
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,414 - $2,907
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $675.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $72 and $145 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to St. Petersburg?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Knoxville to St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg, FL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Knoxville and St. Petersburg to plan around. Cost of living index: 92 vs. 103. Average rent: $1,795/mo vs. $2,075/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 31 vs. 43. Safety index: 57.46 vs. 60.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Florida in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 70 movers based in Tennessee, handy for sizing up options on this 691-mile route.
Our take
The 691-mile move from Knoxville, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL, costs between $1,696 and $8,095 with full-service movers, $1,126 - $3,598 with a moving container, and $525 - $1,414 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,292 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to St. Petersburg, FL
Is St. Petersburg a safe place to live?
St. Petersburg has a safety index of 60.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.54, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Knoxville, TN to St. Petersburg, FL?
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 Knoxville, TN to St. Petersburg, FL?
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. Florida 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.
How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to St. Petersburg, FL 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($212 - $242), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $145/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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.
