($304+) Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC, runs anywhere from $304 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,477 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 272 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 $1,051, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,477 or more.
- Moving containers run $845 - $2,796, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $304 - $789.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,731 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Moving options from Knoxville to Winston-Salem 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 $1,731 - $4,727 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 272 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 272-mile route from Knoxville to Winston-Salem, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,051 - $4,052 | $845 - $1,503 | $304 - $533 | $785 - $1,450 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,731 - $4,727 | $1,091 - $2,234 | $326 - $683 | $855 - $1,634 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,336 - $6,477 | $1,409 - $2,796 | $396 - $789 | $1,234 - $2,237 |
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 Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC
Hiring full-service movers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, costs between $1,051 and $6,477. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 272-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $266 - $1,776, 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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $4,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,731 - $4,727
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,336 - $6,477
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 Winston-Salem.
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC
Specialty needs vary by market — 67% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Winston-Salem, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items22% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $577 - $1,776 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $266 - $13,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $266 - $3,108+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
Look for North Carolina Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in North Carolina beyond this list.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Knoxville, TN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem with a local mover averages $1,748 - $4,774. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Knoxville, TN often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
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 Winston-Salem, NC
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, cost between $845 and $2,796. 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 Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $845 - $1,503
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,796
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Knoxville, TN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $622, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $67 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $133 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Knoxville, TN, and Winston-Salem, NC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $845. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,091 - $2,234, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
- 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:
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 272 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, running $304 - $789. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $77 - $88
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- 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 Winston-Salem based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $304 - $533
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $326 - $683
- 4+ bedrooms: $396 - $789
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem starts at $304 - $789, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($77 - $88) , overnight lodging ($133/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $133 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 $622 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 272-mile drive falls between $77 and $88, 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 $44 and $266 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, 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 $855 and $1,634.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $785 - $1,450
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $855 - $1,634
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,234 - $2,237
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $622.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $67 and $133 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 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: Knoxville, TN vs Winston-Salem, NC
Day-to-day costs in Winston-Salem are close to what you're used to in Knoxville: cost of living index of 84 versus 92, with average rent of $1,300/mo compared to $1,795/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 31/100 and 57.46/100 in Knoxville versus 22/100 and 67.33/100 in Winston-Salem.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Winston-Salem, 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 272-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 272-mile route from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC, run $1,051 - $6,477 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $845 - $2,796, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $304 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,731, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Winston-Salem tend to point to no traffic and friendly people, though summertime humidity and allergy-inducing pollen come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,051 to $6,477, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,051 and $6,477, 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 Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem has a walkability score of 22 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 29, 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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($77 - $88), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $133/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in North Carolina?
For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT).
What is the best time of year to move from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. North Carolina also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
