($336+) Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC

Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Durham, NC, runs anywhere from $357 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,161 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 349 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 $1,125, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,161 or more.
  • Moving containers run $923 - $2,888, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $357 - $896.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Durham, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,835 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 Durham, NC

Moving options from Knoxville to Durham fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,835 - $5,001 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 349-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 349-mile route from Knoxville to Durham, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,125 - $3,958 $923 - $1,554 $357 - $651 $847 - $1,414
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,835 - $5,001 $1,170 - $2,160 $354 - $771 $973 - $1,871
4+ bedrooms $2,624 - $7,161 $1,531 - $2,888 $448 - $896 $1,188 - $2,151

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 Durham, NC

Hiring full-service movers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Durham, North Carolina, costs between $1,125 and $7,161. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 349-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $284 - $1,896, 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 Durham. 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 Durham:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,125 - $3,958
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,835 - $5,001
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,624 - $7,161

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 Durham.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to North Carolina. 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 Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC

Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Durham, 86% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$474 - $4,740
Storage in transitNew place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving$190 - $1,138/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$284 - $2,275
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$948 - $2,844
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,370 - $9,480
Car shippingSecond vehicle$710 - $1,349
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$948 - $2,370
PianoAny piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage$758 - $3,318
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$284 - $1,422
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $616 - $1,896
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$284 - $14,220+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$284 - $3,318+

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

Movers licensed to operate in North Carolina are typically members of the North Carolina Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 Knoxville, TN?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Knoxville to Durham with a local mover averages $1,817 - $4,951. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Knoxville, TN can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.

That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.

Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.64/5 stars) is a local mover in Knoxville, based on our analysis of feedback from 243 customers, 91.8% of which is positive.

Address: 1520 Amherst Road, Knoxville, TN, 37909 | Founded: 1887

Moving container costs from Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC

Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Durham, North Carolina, cost between $923 and $2,888. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Knoxville costs roughly $60/month if you need it.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $923 - $1,554
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,160
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,531 - $2,888

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $142 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 $664 in Knoxville, TN, 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 Durham, NC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee to North Carolina 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 $923. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,170 - $2,160, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Durham?

  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 Durham, NC

Plan on $357 - $896 for a rental moving truck on the 349-mile route from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Durham, North Carolina. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $105 - $120
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • 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 Durham based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $357 - $651
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $354 - $771
  • 4+ bedrooms: $448 - $896

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Knoxville to Durham starts at $357 - $896, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($105 - $120) , overnight lodging ($142/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $142 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 $62 and $308 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $105 - $120 in fuel for the 349-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $664 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Durham?

  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 Durham, NC

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Durham, North Carolina, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $973 and $1,871.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $847 - $1,414
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $973 - $1,871
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,151

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $71 and $142.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $664.

What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Durham?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hittman Transport Services, Inc. (4.26/5 stars): Hittman Transport Services, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Knoxville to Durham. 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 Durham, NC

Good news for your budget: Durham isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Knoxville. Cost of living index runs 99 there against 92 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 31/100 and 57.46/100 here versus 30/100 and 45.28/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Durham, NC to Knoxville, TN guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Tennessee to North Carolina, 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 70 movers in Tennessee, so you have real options to compare for this 349-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Knoxville, TN, to Durham, NC, 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 $1,125 - $7,161 on the 349-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $923 - $2,888, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $357 - $896. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,835 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 Durham tend to point to low cost of living and quality education, though terrible traffic and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System and IBM.

FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Durham, NC

How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC?

Costs on this route range from around $1,125 to $7,161, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,125 and $7,161, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC?

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.

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 Durham run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to Durham, NC 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 are the best neighborhoods in Durham?

For families, Treyburn, American Village/Arrowhead, and Willowhaven are worth a look in Durham. If you're moving solo or without kids, Golden Belt, Warehouse District, and City Center tend to be popular picks instead.

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.