($1,120+) Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

Moving from Tempe, AZ, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $1,164 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,687 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,569, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,687 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,533 - $5,735, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,164 - $3,076.
  • 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 $3,547 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

Moving options from Tempe to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,547 - $7,689 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,804 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days.

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:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,569 - $5,740, container $1,533 - $2,988, rental truck $1,164 - $2,155, freight trailer $1,494 - $2,689.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,547 - $7,689, container $2,124 - $4,392, rental truck $1,235 - $2,615, freight trailer $1,651 - $3,213.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,329 - $10,687, container $2,681 - $5,735, rental truck $1,573 - $3,076, freight trailer $2,279 - $4,543.

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 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 $2,569 - $10,687. 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: $2,569 - $5,740
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,547 - $7,689
  • 4+ bedrooms: $6,329 - $10,687

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.

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

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Tempe 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 packing98% of local movers$523 - $5,230
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$209 - $1,255/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$314 - $2,510
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,046 - $3,138
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,615 - $10,460
Car shippingSecond vehicle$783 - $1,488
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$1,046 - $2,615
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$837 - $3,661
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$314 - $1,569
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$680 - $2,092
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$314 - $15,690+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$314 - $3,661+

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Tempe, AZ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

Moving containers from Tempe, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,533 and $5,735. 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 Tempe typically runs around $90/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,533 - $2,988
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,124 - $4,392
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,681 - $5,735

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 $157 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 $732 in Tempe, AZ. 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 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 $1,533. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,124 - $4,392, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Tempe 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 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:

  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
  • Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
  • Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

Renting a moving truck for the 1,804-mile move from Tempe, Arizona, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,164 and $3,076, before these typical add-ons:

  • 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 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 Tempe to Knoxville based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,164 - $2,155
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,235 - $2,615
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,573 - $3,076

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,164 - $3,076 when pricing out a rental truck from Tempe to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs ($600 - $686) , and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $157 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Tempe, Arizona, usually costs about $732 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,804-mile drive falls between $600 and $686, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $52 and $314 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ to Knoxville, TN

If you're moving a larger household from Tempe, Arizona, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Knoxville, Tennessee.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,651 and $3,213.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,494 - $2,689
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,651 - $3,213
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,279 - $4,543

Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.

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 Tempe, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $732.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $157 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Tempe to Knoxville?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Tempe 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: 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 index11392
Average rent$1,834/mo$1,795/mo
Median home value$421,086$213,473
Average income$77,643/yr$50,994/yr
Unemployment rate5.4%4.7%
State income taxUp to 2.5%None
Walkability score54/10031/100
Safety index57.64/10057.46/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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.

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Our take

For a move from Tempe, AZ, to Knoxville, TN, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,569 for a studio to $10,687 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,804-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,533 - $5,735. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,164 - $3,076, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,547 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 do local movers charge in Tempe?

Local movers based in Tempe typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $85/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 long does a move from Tempe, AZ 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 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 $1,235 - $2,615. 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 percentage of Tempe movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Tempe handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.