($1,005+) Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,005 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,715 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,814 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 $2,476, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,715 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,478 - $5,635, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,005 - $2,847.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,287 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 Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to Phoenix: 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 $3,287 - $7,042. Containers cost roughly 42% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 64% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,814 miles, expect 5 to 16 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 1,814-mile route from Knoxville to Phoenix, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,476 - $5,264, container $1,478 - $2,880, rental truck $1,005 - $1,935, freight trailer $1,399 - $2,670.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,287 - $7,042, container $1,911 - $3,793, rental truck $1,191 - $2,448, freight trailer $1,544 - $3,258.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,036 - $10,715, container $2,745 - $5,635, rental truck $1,458 - $2,847, freight trailer $2,197 - $4,465.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
For the 1,814-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Phoenix, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $2,476 and $10,715. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $301 - $2,008 (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 Knoxville generally start around $170 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,476 - $5,264
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,287 - $7,042
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,036 - $10,715
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 Knoxville to Phoenix.
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 Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Phoenix, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $502 - $5,020 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $201 - $1,205/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $301 - $2,410 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs71% of local movers | $1,004 - $3,012 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,510 - $10,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $752 - $1,429 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $1,004 - $2,510 |
| Piano | Any piano type57% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $803 - $3,514 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $301 - $1,506 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $653 - $2,008 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $301 - $15,060+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $301 - $3,514+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Phoenix?
All three below meet the standards set by the Arizona Moving Association, the group most Arizona movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Phoenix, Arizona, cost between $1,478 and $5,635. 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 Knoxville runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,478 - $2,880
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,911 - $3,793
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,745 - $5,635
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $75 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $151 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Phoenix, AZ, 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 $703 in Knoxville, TN. 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 Tennessee to Arizona 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 $1,478. 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 $1,911 - $3,793.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Phoenix?
- 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville:
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
Truck rentals from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Phoenix, Arizona, range from $1,005 - $2,847 for the 1,814-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $579 - $662
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Knoxville to Phoenix based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,191 - $2,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,458 - $2,847
Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to Phoenix looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,005 - $2,847. But once you factor in fuel ($579 - $662), overnight lodging ($151/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $703.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $579 - $662 for the 1,814-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 $60 and $326, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $151 per night for hotel stops on the 1,814-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $301 - $452.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Phoenix?
- 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 Knoxville, TN to Phoenix, AZ
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Phoenix, Arizona. 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 $904 and $3,258.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Phoenix:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,399 - $2,670
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,544 - $3,258
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,197 - $4,465
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?
- 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 Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $703.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $151 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Phoenix?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Knoxville to Phoenix. 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: Knoxville, TN vs Phoenix, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Phoenix, side by side with Knoxville on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Knoxville, TN | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,795/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $213,473 | $380,294 |
| Average income | $50,994/yr | $77,041/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 31/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 57.46/100 | 46.94/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Phoenix, AZ to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Arizona, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 181 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 1,814-mile move.
Our take
A move from Knoxville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ, 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 $2,476 - $10,715 on the 1,814-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,478 - $5,635, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,005 - $2,847. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,287 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Phoenix tend to point to beautiful nature and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though extreme weather and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include the State of Arizona and Walmart, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Phoenix, AZ
What do local movers charge in Knoxville?
Local movers based in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate, plus $113/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 Phoenix run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What are the best neighborhoods in Phoenix?
For families, Arcadia/Biltmore, Ahwatukee, and Coronado are worth a look in Phoenix. If you're moving solo or without kids, Camelback East, Encanto, and Estrella Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Phoenix?
Phoenix has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, compared to 31 and 30 in Knoxville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Phoenix a safe place to live?
Phoenix has a safety index of 46.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.06, compared to 57.46 and 42.54 in Knoxville. 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 Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 57% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.