($1,329+) Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA

Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,355 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,457 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,195 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,592, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,457 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,768 - $6,649, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,355 - $3,488.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,767 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA

Moving options from Knoxville to Long Beach 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 $3,767 - $7,981 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 2,195 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,195-mile route from Knoxville to Long Beach, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,592 - $5,978 $1,768 - $3,503 $1,355 - $2,467 $1,607 - $3,063
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,767 - $7,981 $2,288 - $4,493 $1,369 - $2,877 $1,776 - $3,595
4+ bedrooms $7,000 - $12,457 $3,109 - $6,649 $1,817 - $3,488 $2,388 - $5,167

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA

Hiring full-service movers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Long Beach, California, costs between $2,592 and $12,457. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,195-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $360 - $2,400, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Knoxville and Long Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Knoxville tend to start around $170 plus $113/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,592 - $5,978
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,767 - $7,981
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,000 - $12,457

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 Long Beach.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Long Beach, 87% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$600 - $6,000
Storage in transitNew place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$240 - $1,440/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$360 - $2,880
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$1,200 - $3,600
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,000 - $12,000
Car shippingSecond vehicle$899 - $1,708
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$1,200 - $3,000
PianoAny piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage$960 - $4,200
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$360 - $1,800
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $780 - $2,400
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$360 - $18,000+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$360 - $4,200+

What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Long Beach?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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 Long Beach, CA

Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,768 and $6,649. 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 Knoxville typically runs around $60/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Knoxville to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,768 - $3,503
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,288 - $4,493
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,109 - $6,649

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Knoxville, TN and Long Beach, CA. 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 $840 in Knoxville, TN, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $90 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $180 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 Tennessee to California 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 $1,768. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,288 - $4,493, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Long Beach?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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:

  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 10 years in business
  • Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 139 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA

A rental truck for this 2,195-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Long Beach, California, costs between $1,355 and $3,488. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $838 - $958
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Knoxville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Knoxville to Long Beach based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,467
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,877
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,817 - $3,488

Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to Long Beach looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,355 - $3,488. But once you factor in fuel ($838 - $958) , overnight lodging ($180/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $180 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 Knoxville, Tennessee, usually costs about $840 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 2,195-mile drive falls between $838 and $958, 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 $60 and $360 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Long Beach?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Long Beach, CA

For larger DIY moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, 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 Long Beach, California.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,776 and $3,595.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Long Beach:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,607 - $3,063
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,776 - $3,595
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,388 - $5,167

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 $840.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $90 and $180 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Long Beach?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hittman Transport Services, Inc. (4.26/5 stars): Hittman Transport Services, Inc. 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Knoxville to Long Beach. 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 Long Beach, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Knoxville on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Knoxville, TN Long Beach, CA
Cost of living index92162
Average rent$1,795/mo$2,075/mo
Median home value$213,473$762,188
Average income$50,994/yr$83,969/yr
Unemployment rate4.7%5.2%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score31/10073/100
Safety index57.46/10041.42/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Long Beach, CA to Knoxville, TN guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to California, 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. Tennessee alone has 70 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,195-mile move like this one.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers before booking saves moveBuddha users more than 30% on average.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Choose a moveBuddha Certified mover for added coverage plus dedicated support.
Dispute mediation
We provide dispute mediation if something goes wrong with a Certified mover.

Our take

The 2,195-mile move from Knoxville, TN, to Long Beach, CA, costs between $2,592 and $12,457 with full-service movers, $1,768 - $6,649 with a moving container, and $1,355 - $3,488 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 $3,767 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 UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.

FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Long Beach, CA

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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

Is Long Beach a safe place to live?

Long Beach has a safety index of 41.42 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.58, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA?

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 $1,369 - $2,877. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?

For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 67% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.