($1,056+) Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $1,056 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,771 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,801 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,354, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,771 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,476 - $5,462, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,056 - $2,784.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Mesa, AZ, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,282 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Mesa to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,282 - $7,182 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,801-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,801-mile route from Mesa to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,354 - $5,156 | $1,476 - $2,959 | $1,056 - $1,972 | $1,356 - $2,587 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,282 - $7,182 | $1,907 - $4,063 | $1,097 - $2,371 | $1,572 - $3,030 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,145 - $9,771 | $2,686 - $5,462 | $1,470 - $2,784 | $2,023 - $4,200 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers for the 1,801-mile relocation from Mesa, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $2,354 and $9,771. 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 $314 - $2,092, 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 Mesa typically charge a base rate around $175 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Mesa to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,354 - $5,156
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,282 - $7,182
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,145 - $9,771
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 Mesa to Knoxville.
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 Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Mesa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $523 - $5,230 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Just-In Time Moving & Storage | $209 - $1,255/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,510 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,046 - $3,138 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,615 - $10,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $783 - $1,488 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $837 - $3,661 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $314 - $1,569 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $680 - $2,092 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,690+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,661+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Mesa to Knoxville?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Mesa, AZ. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Mesa, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,476 and $5,462. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Knoxville. If you go over that window, storage in Mesa adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Mesa to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,476 - $2,959
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,907 - $4,063
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,686 - $5,462
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $732 in Mesa, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $157 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Knoxville, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $1,476. 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 $1,907 - $4,063.
What are the best moving containers Mesa 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 Mesa 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 Mesa:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Renting a moving truck for the 1,801-mile move from Mesa, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,056 and $2,784, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $599 - $685
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Mesa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Mesa to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,097 - $2,371
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,470 - $2,784
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Mesa to Knoxville starts at $1,056 - $2,784, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($599 - $685), overnight lodging ($157/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 $157 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 $68 and $340 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $599 - $685 in fuel for the 1,801-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $732 in Mesa, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Mesa 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 Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Mesa, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $941 and $3,030.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Mesa to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,356 - $2,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,572 - $3,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,023 - $4,200
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $78 and $157.
- 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 Mesa, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $732.
What are the best freight companies from Mesa to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Mesa to Knoxville. 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: Mesa, AZ vs Knoxville, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Knoxville, side by side with Mesa on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Mesa, AZ | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 92 |
| Average rent | $1,786/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $354,997 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $78,779/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | None |
| Walkability score | 38/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 55.33/100 | 57.46/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Mesa, AZ guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Tennessee 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 242 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 1,801-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,801-mile route from Mesa, AZ, to Knoxville, TN, run $2,354 - $9,771 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,476 - $5,462, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,056 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,282, 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 Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Knoxville, TN
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 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 55.33 and 44.67 in Mesa. 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 Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN?
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 $1,097 - $2,371. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Mesa, AZ to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 percentage of Mesa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Mesa handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.