($661+) Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $661 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,737 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 951 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,012, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,737 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,129 - $3,596, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $661 - $1,758.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,440 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 Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Minneapolis 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 $2,440 - $5,955 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 951 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 951-mile route from Minneapolis to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,012 - $4,869 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,129 - $2,053), rental truck ($661 - $1,133), or freight trailer ($1,057 - $1,940). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,440 - $5,955 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,737.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 951-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with prices running from $2,012 - $7,737. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $303 - $2,020 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Minneapolis and Knoxville are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Minneapolis movers tend to run around $240 as a base rate plus $109/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Minneapolis to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,012 - $4,869
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,440 - $5,955
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,162 - $7,737
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 Minneapolis to Knoxville.
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 Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 69% of Minneapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 76% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $505 - $5,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready69% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $202 - $1,212/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $303 - $2,424 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,010 - $3,030 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,525 - $10,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $756 - $1,437 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC | $1,010 - $2,525 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $808 - $3,535 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $303 - $1,515 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationally | $657 - $2,020 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $303 - $15,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $303 - $3,535+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Minneapolis, MN. 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 Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,129 and $3,596. 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 Minneapolis typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $2,053
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,423 - $2,767
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,858 - $3,596
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Minneapolis, MN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $707, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $76 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $152 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Minneapolis, MN, and Knoxville, TN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota 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 $1,129. 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 $1,423 - $2,767.
What are the best moving containers Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis:
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
A rental truck for this 951-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $661 and $1,758. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $306 - $349
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $661 - $1,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $715 - $1,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $828 - $1,758
Pro tip: A rental truck from Minneapolis to Knoxville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $661 - $1,758. But once you factor in fuel ($306 - $349), overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $76 and $354.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $152.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $306 and $349 for the 951-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $707 for 2 movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN
If you're moving a larger household from Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,138 and $2,421.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Minneapolis to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,421
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,503 - $3,149
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?
- 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 $76 - $152 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for about five hours typically runs $707.
What are the best freight companies from Minneapolis to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Minneapolis, MN | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 107 | 92 |
| Average rent | $1,484/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $345,294 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $80,269/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.85% | None |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 43.94/100 | 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 Minneapolis, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Tennessee in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 151 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 951-mile route.
Our take
The 951-mile move from Minneapolis, MN, to Knoxville, TN, costs between $2,012 and $7,737 with full-service movers, $1,129 - $3,596 with a moving container, and $661 - $1,758 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 $2,440 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 Minneapolis, MN, to Knoxville, TN
How long does a move from Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Minneapolis?
Local movers based in Minneapolis typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $109/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Minneapolis, MN to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $661 to $7,737, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,012 and $7,737, 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 71 and 83 in Minneapolis. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Minneapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in Minneapolis handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.