($197+) Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $193 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,266 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $791, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $5,266 or more.
- Moving containers run $767 - $2,218, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $193 - $491.
- 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 $1,386 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
Moving options from Lexington 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 $1,386 - $4,014 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 173 miles and typically takes 1 to 2 days.
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 | $791 - $3,514 | $767 - $1,404 | $193 - $355 | $697 - $1,202 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,386 - $4,014 | $1,027 - $1,882 | $206 - $394 | $789 - $1,491 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,874 - $5,266 | $1,340 - $2,218 | $247 - $491 | $1,040 - $1,922 |
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 Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 173-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $791 - $5,266. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $274 - $1,828. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Lexington and Knoxville. Local movers in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate plus $70/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $791 - $3,514
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,386 - $4,014
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,874 - $5,266
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky 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 Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington 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 | $457 - $4,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $183 - $1,097/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $274 - $2,194 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% 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 items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc. | $914 - $2,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $731 - $3,199 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $274 - $1,371 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% 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 $1,427 - $4,134. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Lexington, KY can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Wildcat Moving LLC (4.7/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Lexington, ranked #1 in Kentucky, based on our analysis of feedback from 321 customers, 85.0% 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 $767 and $2,218. 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 Lexington adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $767 - $1,404
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,027 - $1,882
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,340 - $2,218
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 $767. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,027 - $1,882, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN
A rental truck for this 173-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $193 and $491. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $193 - $355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $206 - $394
- 4+ bedrooms: $247 - $491
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $193 - $491 when pricing out a rental truck from Lexington to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs ($50 - $57) , and overnight lodging ($137/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 $137 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 Lexington, Kentucky, usually costs about $640 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 173-mile drive falls between $50 and $57, 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 $46 and $274 to your total.
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 well suited for larger moves from Lexington, Kentucky, to Knoxville, Tennessee, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $789 and $1,491.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $697 - $1,202
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $789 - $1,491
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,040 - $1,922
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $69 - $137 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Lexington, Kentucky, typically costs $640.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington 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.
- Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
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. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky to Tennessee over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 27 movers in our Kentucky network to compare for this 173-mile move.
Our take
The 173-mile move from Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN, costs between $791 and $5,266 with full-service movers, $767 - $2,218 with a moving container, and $193 - $491 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 $1,386 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 Lexington, KY, to Knoxville, TN
How much does it cost to move from Lexington, KY to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $791 to $5,266, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $791 and $5,266, 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.
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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($50 - $57), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $137/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Lexington, KY 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 Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
