($326+) Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Durham, NC, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $340 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,420 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 347 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $968, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,420 or more.
- Moving containers run $942 - $2,888, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $340 - $852.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,711 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 Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Durham to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,711 - $4,849 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 347-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 347-mile route from Durham to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $968 - $3,511 | $942 - $1,700 | $340 - $644 | $831 - $1,472 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,711 - $4,849 | $1,181 - $2,116 | $380 - $741 | $964 - $1,853 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,399 - $6,420 | $1,500 - $2,888 | $453 - $852 | $1,287 - $2,242 |
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 Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 347-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with prices running from $968 - $6,420. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $289 - $1,924 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Durham and Knoxville are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Durham movers tend to run around $240 as a base rate plus $122/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $968 - $3,511
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,711 - $4,849
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,399 - $6,420
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 Durham to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina 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 Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham 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 | $481 - $4,810 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $192 - $1,154/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,309 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $962 - $2,886 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,405 - $9,620 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $721 - $1,369 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation | $962 - $2,405 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $770 - $3,367 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers | $289 - $1,443 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $625 - $1,924 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,430+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,367+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Durham, NC?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Durham to Knoxville with a local mover averages $1,796 - $5,091. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Durham, NC can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.38/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Durham, based on our analysis of feedback from 397 customers, 93.2% of which is positive.
Address: 4417 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC, 27705 | Founded: 2023
Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $942 and $2,888. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Durham runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $942 - $1,700
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,181 - $2,116
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,500 - $2,888
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $673 in Durham, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $144 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Knoxville, TN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $942. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,181 - $2,116, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
- Truckin' Movers Corporation (4.9/5), 49 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
Plan on $340 - $852 for a rental moving truck on the 347-mile route from Durham, North Carolina, to Knoxville, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $106 - $121
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Durham to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $340 - $644
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $380 - $741
- 4+ bedrooms: $453 - $852
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $340 - $852 does not include fuel ($106 - $121) , lodging ($144/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to Knoxville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $673.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $106 - $121 for the 347-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 $58 and $313, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $144 per night for hotel stops on the 347-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $289 - $433.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham 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 Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Durham, North Carolina, to Knoxville, Tennessee. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $866 and $1,853.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $831 - $1,472
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $964 - $1,853
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,287 - $2,242
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $673.
What are the best freight companies from Durham 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.
- Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. 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 Durham 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: Durham, NC vs Knoxville, TN
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Durham and Knoxville to plan around. Cost of living index: 99 vs. 92. Average rent: $1,699/mo vs. $1,795/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 30 vs. 31. Safety index: 45.28 vs. 57.46.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Tennessee, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. North Carolina alone has 117 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 347-mile move like this one.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 347-mile route from Durham, NC, to Knoxville, TN, run $968 - $6,420 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $942 - $2,888, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $340 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,711, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Knoxville, TN
What do local movers charge in Durham?
Local movers based in Durham typically start around $240 as a base rate, plus $122/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 Durham, NC 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 Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $968 to $6,420, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $968 and $6,420, 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 30 and 38 in Durham. 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 ($106 - $121), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $144/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
