($192+) Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $192 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,077 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 173 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $810, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,077 or more.
- Moving containers run $732 - $2,315, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $192 - $460.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,310 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 Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington 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 $1,310 - $3,909. Moving containers run about 27% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 84% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 2 days for this 173-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 173-mile route from Lexington to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $810 - $3,290 | $732 - $1,249 | $192 - $336 | $686 - $1,148 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,310 - $3,909 | $951 - $1,743 | $205 - $407 | $776 - $1,494 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,898 - $5,077 | $1,191 - $2,315 | $249 - $460 | $1,053 - $1,746 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers for the 173-mile relocation from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $810 and $5,077. 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 $274 - $1,828, 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 Lexington typically charge a base rate around $197 plus $70 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $810 - $3,290
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,310 - $3,909
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,898 - $5,077
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 Lexington to Knoxville.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 64% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $457 - $4,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready64% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $183 - $1,097/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $274 - $2,194 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage23% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% 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 items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $914 - $2,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $731 - $3,199 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $274 - $1,371 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, 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 Lexington 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.
How much do local movers cost in Lexington, KY?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Lexington to Knoxville with a local mover averages $1,258 - $3,753. Working with a local mover based in Lexington, KY often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Wildcat Moving LLC (4.64/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Lexington, ranked #1 in Kentucky, based on our analysis of feedback from 4,014 customers, 95.3% of which is positive.
Address: 236 Big Run Rd, Lexington, KY, 40503 | Founded: 2012
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $732 and $2,315. 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 Lexington typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $732 - $1,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $951 - $1,743
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,191 - $2,315
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Lexington, KY 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 $640 in Lexington, KY, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $69 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $137 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 Kentucky 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 $732. 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 $951 - $1,743.
What are the best moving containers Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- From Here To There, LLC (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $192 - $460 for the 173-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $50 - $57
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Lexington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Lexington to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $192 - $336
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $205 - $407
- 4+ bedrooms: $249 - $460
Pro tip: A rental truck from Lexington to Knoxville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $192 - $460. But once you factor in fuel ($50 - $57), overnight lodging ($137/night), meals, and equipment rentals, the total adds up to more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $50 - $57 for the 173-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 Lexington, Kentucky, for about 5 hours typically costs around $640.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 173-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 Lexington 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 Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $776 and $1,494.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $686 - $1,148
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $776 - $1,494
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,053 - $1,746
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 $69 - $137 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about five hours typically runs $640.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Lexington 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: Lexington, KY vs Knoxville, TN
Day-to-day costs in Knoxville are close to what you're used to in Lexington: cost of living index of 92 versus 91, with average rent of $1,795/mo compared to $1,345/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 90/100 and 49.12/100 in Lexington versus 31/100 and 57.46/100 in Knoxville.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Lexington, KY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky 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 63 movers licensed in Kentucky, useful context for sizing up this 173-mile move.
Our take
A move from Lexington, KY, 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 $810 - $5,077 on the 173-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $732 - $2,315, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $192 - $460. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,310 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 Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN
What do local movers charge in Lexington?
Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/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.
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 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 90 and 85 in Lexington. 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 49.12 and 50.88 in Lexington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.