($721+) Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $673 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,843 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,024 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 $2,566, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,843 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,243 - $3,985, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $673 - $1,884.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,980 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 Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland 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 $2,980 - $7,154. 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 2 to 8 days for this 1,024-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 1,024-mile route from Portland to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,566 for a studio up to $9,843 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,243 - $3,985 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $673 - $1,884, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,053 - $3,450, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,024-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $2,566 - $9,843. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $312 - $2,080. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Portland and Knoxville. Local movers in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,566 - $5,437
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,980 - $7,154
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,689 - $9,843
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 Portland to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Maine to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 78% of Portland 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 | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready78% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage56% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs33% of local movers | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling89% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect78% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $676 - $2,080 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $312 - $15,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $312 - $3,640+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, ME. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,243 and $3,985. 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 Portland costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,243 - $2,201
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,538 - $3,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,138 - $3,985
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $156 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 $728 in Portland, ME. 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 Maine 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 $1,243. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,538 - $3,247, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Integrity Movers, 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
Plan on $673 - $1,884 for a rental moving truck on the 1,024-mile route from Portland, Maine, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $339 - $387
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Portland 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 Portland to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $673 - $1,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $726 - $1,564
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $1,884
Pro tip: The base rate of $673 - $1,884 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Portland to Knoxville. Fuel ($339 - $387) , lodging at around $156/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $728.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $339 - $387 for the 1,024-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 $62 and $338, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $156 per night for hotel stops on the 1,024-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $312 - $468.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN
For larger DIY moves from Portland, Maine, 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 $1,280 and $2,398.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,053 - $1,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,280 - $2,398
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,727 - $3,450
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $728.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $156 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Portland 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.
- Dubois Livestock (3.96/5 stars): Dubois Livestock 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 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: Portland, ME 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 Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 92 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | None |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 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 Portland, ME guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Maine to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 15 movers in Maine, so you have real options to compare for this 1,024-mile move.
Our take
The 1,024-mile move from Portland, ME, to Knoxville, TN, costs between $2,566 and $9,843 with full-service movers, $1,243 - $3,985 with a moving container, and $673 - $1,884 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 $2,980 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 Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, 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 do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Knoxville run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Portland, ME to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $2,566 to $9,843, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,566 and $9,843, 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 Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
