($599+) Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Providence, RI, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,927 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 893 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 $1,822, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,927 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,053 - $3,615, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,682.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Providence, RI, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,279 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 Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Providence to Knoxville: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,279 - $5,612. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 71% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 893 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 893-mile route from Providence to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,822 - $4,136 | $1,053 - $1,928 | $599 - $1,177 | $1,037 - $1,879 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,279 - $5,612 | $1,368 - $2,677 | $659 - $1,398 | $1,162 - $2,343 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,896 - $6,927 | $1,953 - $3,615 | $803 - $1,682 | $1,563 - $3,038 |
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 Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
For the 893-mile move from Providence, Rhode Island, to Knoxville, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $1,822 and $6,927. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $307 - $2,044 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Providence generally start around $348 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Providence to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,822 - $4,136
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,279 - $5,612
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,896 - $6,927
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 Providence 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 Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 79% of Providence 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 packing79% of local movers | $511 - $5,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready79% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $204 - $1,226/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,453 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,022 - $3,066 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,555 - $10,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $765 - $1,454 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,022 - $2,555 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $818 - $3,577 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling6% of local movers | $307 - $1,533 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (RI) | $664 - $2,044 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,577+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Providence 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Providence, RI. 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 Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Providence, Rhode Island, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,053 and $3,615. 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 Providence typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Providence to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,053 - $1,928
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,677
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,953 - $3,615
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $77 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $153 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $715 in Providence, RI, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Knoxville, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Rhode Island 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 $1,053. 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 $1,368 - $2,677.
What are the best moving containers Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence:
- Boston Best Rate Movers (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- Esquire Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- Fresh Start-The Moving Crew (4.9/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Providence, Rhode Island, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $599 - $1,682 for the 893-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $290 - $332
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Providence daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Providence to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $659 - $1,398
- 4+ bedrooms: $803 - $1,682
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $599 - $1,682 does not include fuel ($290 - $332), lodging ($153/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Providence to Knoxville typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $153 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $66 and $332 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $290 - $332 in fuel for the 893-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $715 in Providence, Rhode Island, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Providence 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 Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN
For larger DIY moves from Providence, Rhode Island, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,162 and $2,343.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Providence to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,879
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,162 - $2,343
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,563 - $3,038
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Providence, Rhode Island, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $715.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $153 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Providence to Knoxville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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: Providence, RI 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 Providence on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Providence, RI | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 109 | 92 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $323,365 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $66,772/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 8.6% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.99% | None |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 50.16/100 | 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 Providence, RI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Rhode Island to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 29 movers in Rhode Island, so you have real options to compare for this 893-mile move.
Our take
A move from Providence, RI, 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 $1,822 - $6,927 on the 893-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,053 - $3,615, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $599 - $1,682. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,279 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 Providence, RI, to Knoxville, TN
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 do local movers charge in Providence?
Local movers based in Providence typically start around $348 as a base rate, plus $90/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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $599 to $6,927, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,822 and $6,927, 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Providence, RI 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 $659 - $1,398. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Providence movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Providence handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.