($775+) San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $716 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,897 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,115 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 $2,322, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,897 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,277 - $4,512, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $716 - $2,135.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,680 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from San Antonio to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,680 - $6,226 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,115 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,115-mile route from San Antonio to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,322 - $5,074 | $1,277 - $2,291 | $716 - $1,489 | $1,183 - $2,188 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,680 - $6,226 | $1,613 - $3,320 | $806 - $1,770 | $1,302 - $2,630 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,339 - $8,897 | $2,179 - $4,512 | $1,064 - $2,135 | $1,761 - $3,404 |
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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,115-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $2,322 - $8,897. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $274 - $1,828. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and Knoxville. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,322 - $5,074
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,680 - $6,226
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,339 - $8,897
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 San Antonio to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Knoxville, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $457 - $4,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $183 - $1,097/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $274 - $2,194 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $914 - $2,742 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,285 - $9,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $685 - $1,301 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $914 - $2,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $731 - $3,199 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers | $274 - $1,371 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Swift Movers LLC | $594 - $1,828 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $274 - $13,710+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $274 - $3,199+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in San Antonio, TX. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,277 and $4,512. 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 San Antonio typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,277 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,320
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,179 - $4,512
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 Knoxville, 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 $640 in San Antonio, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,277. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,613 - $3,320, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio to Knoxville?
- 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Swift Movers LLC (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Renting a moving truck for the 1,115-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $716 and $2,135, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $324 - $371
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $716 - $1,489
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $806 - $1,770
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,064 - $2,135
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $716 - $2,135 when pricing out a rental truck from San Antonio to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs ($324 - $371) , and overnight lodging ($137/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $324 - $371 for the 1,115-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in San Antonio, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $640.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,115-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $137 per night, adding $274 - $411 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $46 and $274.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio to Knoxville?
- 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, 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 Knoxville, Tennessee.
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 $1,302 and $2,630.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,183 - $2,188
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,302 - $2,630
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,761 - $3,404
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?
- 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 San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $640.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $69 and $137 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from San Antonio to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Parkway Transport, Inc. (4.76/5 stars): Parkway Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Knoxville 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: San Antonio, TX vs Knoxville, TN
San Antonio and Knoxville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 91 in San Antonio and 92 in Knoxville, and rent tracks closely too ($1,496/mo vs. $1,795/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (37 vs 31) and safety scores (51.94 vs 57.46) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,115-mile move.
Our take
For a move from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,322 for a studio to $8,897 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,115-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,277 - $4,512. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $716 - $2,135, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,680 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN
What are the best neighborhoods in Knoxville?
For families, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Maryville are worth a look in Knoxville. If you're moving solo or without kids, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Knoxville?
Knoxville has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 30, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Knoxville a safe place to live?
Knoxville has a safety index of 57.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.54, compared to 51.94 and 48.06 in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN?
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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
