($1,277+) Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN Movers

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The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN ranges from $1,406 to $11,622, with an average cost of $4,250. Moves can be as low as $1,277 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,182 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

Moving options from Los Angeles to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,406 - $11,622 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,250, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,182 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,182-mile route from Los Angeles to Knoxville, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,406 - $5,807, container $1,768 - $3,336, rental truck $1,290 - $2,392, freight trailer $1,575 - $2,852.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,513 - $8,145, container $2,175 - $4,680, rental truck $1,355 - $2,936, freight trailer $1,721 - $3,932.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,525 - $11,622, container $3,109 - $6,079, rental truck $1,728 - $3,745, freight trailer $2,363 - $5,015.

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 Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

Full-service movers for the 2,182-mile relocation from Los Angeles, California, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,406 and $11,622. 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 $402 - $2,680, 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 Los Angeles typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Knoxville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $5,807
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,513 - $8,145
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,525 - $11,622

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 Los Angeles to Knoxville.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$670 - $6,700
Storage in transitNew place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$268 - $1,608/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$402 - $3,216
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers$1,340 - $4,020
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,350 - $13,400
Car shippingSecond vehicle$1,004 - $1,907
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$1,340 - $3,350
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$1,072 - $4,690
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers$402 - $2,010
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$871 - $2,680
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$402 - $20,100+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$402 - $4,690+

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

  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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Los Angeles, CA. 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 Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,768 and $6,079. 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 Los Angeles adds around $110/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,768 - $3,336
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,175 - $4,680
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,109 - $6,079

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $101 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $201 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $938 in Los Angeles, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Knoxville, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,768. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,175 - $4,680, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Los Angeles to Knoxville?

  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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:

  • Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
  • Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
  • Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

A rental truck for this 2,182-mile move from Los Angeles, California, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,290 and $3,745. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $930 - $1,063
  • Daily insurance: $40/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
  • Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
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 Los Angeles to Knoxville based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,290 - $2,392
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,355 - $2,936
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,728 - $3,745

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Los Angeles to Knoxville starts at $1,290 - $3,745, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($930 - $1,063) , overnight lodging ($201/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $930 - $1,063 for the 2,182-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 Los Angeles, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $938.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 2,182-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $201 per night, adding $402 - $603 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $67 and $402.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles to Knoxville?

  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 Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN

For larger DIY moves from Los Angeles, California, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,721 and $3,932.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,575 - $2,852
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,721 - $3,932
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,363 - $5,015

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 Los Angeles, California, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $938.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $101 and $201 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Knoxville?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Los Angeles, CA Knoxville, TN
Cost of living index16292
Average rent$2,960/mo$1,795/mo
Median home value$878,142$213,473
Average income$80,366/yr$50,994/yr
Unemployment rate10.6%4.7%
State income taxUp to 13.3%None
Walkability score69/10031/100
Safety index46.19/10057.46/100
Air qualityModerateGood

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 Los Angeles, CA guide.

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Our take

A move from Los Angeles, CA, 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 $1,406 - $11,622 on the 2,182-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,768 - $6,079, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,290 - $3,745. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,513 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 Los Angeles, CA, to Knoxville, TN

What is the best time of year to move from Los Angeles, CA 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.

How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN 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 ($930 - $1,063), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $201/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA 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 $1,355 - $2,936. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Knoxville, TN?

Costs on this route range from around $1,406 to $11,622, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,406 and $11,622, 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 Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.