($1,056+) Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Tempe, 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 1,804 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 $2,423, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,771 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,461 - $5,568, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,056 - $2,843.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tempe, AZ, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,091 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 Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Tempe to Knoxville: 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 $3,091 - $7,112. Moving containers run about 40% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 62% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,804-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 1,804-mile route from Tempe to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,423 - $5,207 with full-service movers, $1,461 - $2,931 with a container, $1,056 - $1,952 with a rental truck, or $1,329 - $2,536 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,091 - $7,112 full-service, $1,849 - $3,827 by container, $1,177 - $2,347 by rental truck, or $1,464 - $3,156 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,618 - $9,771 full-service, $2,502 - $5,568 by container, $1,484 - $2,843 by rental truck, or $2,002 - $4,115 by freight.
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 Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,804-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $2,423 - $9,771. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $314 - $2,092. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Tempe and Knoxville. Local movers in Tempe typically start around $200 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tempe to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,423 - $5,207
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,091 - $7,112
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,618 - $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 Tempe to Knoxville.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Tempe 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: Mentors 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 lbs53% 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: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,046 - $2,615 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Get Your Move On | $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 Tempe 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 Tempe, 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 Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,461 and $5,568. 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 Tempe costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tempe to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,461 - $2,931
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,849 - $3,827
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,502 - $5,568
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Tempe, AZ and Knoxville, TN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $732 in Tempe, AZ, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $78 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $157 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
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 $1,461. 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 $1,849 - $3,827.
What are the best moving containers Tempe 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 Tempe 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 Tempe:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Tempe, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $1,056 - $2,843 for the 1,804-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $600 - $686
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tempe 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 Tempe to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,952
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,177 - $2,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,484 - $2,843
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Tempe to Knoxville starts at $1,056 - $2,843, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($600 - $686), 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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $732.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $600 - $686 for the 1,804-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 $63 and $340, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 per night for hotel stops on the 1,804-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $314 - $471.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN
For larger DIY moves from Tempe, Arizona, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,464 and $3,156.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tempe to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,329 - $2,536
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,464 - $3,156
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,002 - $4,115
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?
- 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 $78 - $157 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tempe, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $732.
What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Knoxville?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Knoxville quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Tempe, 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 Tempe on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Tempe, AZ | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 113 | 92 |
| Average rent | $1,834/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $421,086 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $77,643/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.5% | None |
| Walkability score | 54/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 57.64/100 | 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 Tempe, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Tennessee, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Arizona alone has 242 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,804-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Tempe, AZ, to Knoxville, TN, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,423 - $9,771 on the 1,804-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,461 - $5,568, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,056 - $2,843. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,091 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Tempe, AZ, 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tempe, 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 $1,177 - $2,347. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 57.64 and 42.36 in Tempe. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Tempe, AZ 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 Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.