($299+) Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC, runs anywhere from $299 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,991 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $962, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,991 or more.
- Moving containers run $863 - $2,434, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $299 - $730.
- 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 $1,508 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,508 - $4,324. Moving containers run about 27% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 80% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 272-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
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 makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $962 - $3,749 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($863 - $1,432), rental truck ($299 - $492), or freight trailer ($785 - $1,315). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,508 - $4,324 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $5,991.
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 Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 272-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with costs ranging from $962 - $5,991. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $266 - $1,776. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Knoxville and Winston-Salem. Local movers in Knoxville typically start around $170 as a base rate plus $113/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Knoxville to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $962 - $3,749
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,508 - $4,324
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,057 - $5,991
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.
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 Winston-Salem, NC
Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Winston-Salem, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $444 - $4,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready76% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $178 - $1,066/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $266 - $2,131 |
| 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 | $888 - $2,664 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,220 - $8,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $665 - $1,264 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Carey Moving & Storage | $888 - $2,220 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $710 - $3,108 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $266 - $1,332 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Winston-Salem with a local mover averages $1,508 - $4,324. Working with a local mover based in Knoxville, TN often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.56/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Knoxville, ranked #3 in Tennessee, based on our analysis of feedback from 1,010 customers, 92.4% 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 $863 and $2,434. 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: $863 - $1,432
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,027
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,329 - $2,434
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $67 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $133 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Winston-Salem, NC, 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 $622 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 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 $863. 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 $1,103 - $2,027.
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:
- 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 Winston-Salem, NC
A rental truck for this 272-mile move from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, costs between $299 and $730. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $299 - $492
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $305 - $601
- 4+ bedrooms: $392 - $730
Pro tip: The base rate of $299 - $730 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem. Fuel ($77 - $88), lodging at around $133/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $77 - $88 for the 272-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Knoxville, Tennessee, for about 5 hours typically costs around $622.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 272-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $133 per night, adding $266 - $400 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $44 and $266.
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 a solid option for larger DIY moves from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 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 $799 and $1,605.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to Winston-Salem:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $785 - $1,315
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $858 - $1,605
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,164 - $2,130
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Knoxville, Tennessee, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $622.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $67 - $133 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 Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Knoxville, TN vs Winston-Salem, NC
Good news for your budget: Winston-Salem isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Knoxville. Cost of living index runs 84 there against 92 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 31/100 and 57.46/100 here versus 22/100 and 67.33/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Winston-Salem, NC 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 North Carolina, 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 213 movers licensed in Tennessee, useful context for sizing up this 272-mile move.
Our take
The 272-mile move from Knoxville, TN, to Winston-Salem, NC, costs between $962 and $5,991 with full-service movers, $863 - $2,434 with a moving container, and $299 - $730 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 $1,508 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
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 $299 to $5,991, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $962 and $5,991, 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 Winston-Salem?
For families, Sherwood Forest, Ardmore, and Buena Vista are worth a look in Winston-Salem. If you're moving solo or without kids, West End, Ardmore, and Buena Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.