($566+) Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Houston, TX, runs anywhere from $590 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,706 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 813 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,813, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,706 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,185 - $3,916, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $590 - $1,586.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chattanooga, TN, to Houston, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,465 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Moving options from Chattanooga to Houston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,465 - $6,073 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 813-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 813-mile route from Chattanooga to Houston, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,813 - $4,824 $1,185 - $2,121 $590 - $1,167 $1,046 - $1,890
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,465 - $6,073 $1,408 - $2,743 $649 - $1,268 $1,138 - $2,217
4+ bedrooms $4,453 - $8,706 $1,850 - $3,916 $805 - $1,586 $1,590 - $3,132

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 Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Full-service movers for the 813-mile relocation from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,813 and $8,706. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $278 - $1,856, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chattanooga typically charge a base rate around $280 plus $99 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chattanooga to Houston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,813 - $4,824
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,465 - $6,073
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,453 - $8,706

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 Chattanooga to Houston.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Tennessee to Texas. 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.

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Specialty moving services from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chattanooga movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Houston, 66% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$464 - $4,640
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Good Guys Moving & Delivery $186 - $1,114/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$278 - $2,227
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers$928 - $2,784
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,320 - $9,280
Car shippingSecond vehicle$695 - $1,321
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Elizabeth's Moving & Storage$928 - $2,320
PianoAny piano type33% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$742 - $3,248
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$278 - $1,392
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $603 - $1,856
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$278 - $13,920+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$278 - $3,248+

What are the best full-service movers from Chattanooga to Houston?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chattanooga, TN. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Moving containers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, cost between $1,185 and $3,916. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Houston. If you go over that window, storage in Chattanooga adds around $60/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chattanooga to Houston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,185 - $2,121
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,408 - $2,743
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,850 - $3,916

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $650 in Chattanooga, TN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $70 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $139 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Houston, TX, destination before booking.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Tennessee to Texas 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 $1,185. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,408 - $2,743, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chattanooga to Houston?

  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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga:

  • Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.8/5), 13 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 26 years in business
  • Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Truck rentals from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, range from $590 - $1,586 for the 813-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $240 - $274
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $19
  • Chattanooga daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.99
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 Chattanooga to Houston based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $590 - $1,167
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $649 - $1,268
  • 4+ bedrooms: $805 - $1,586

Pro tip: The base rate of $590 - $1,586 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chattanooga to Houston. Fuel ($240 - $274) , lodging at around $139/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $139 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee, usually costs about $650 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 813-mile drive falls between $240 and $274, 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 $46 and $278 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chattanooga to Houston?

  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 Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,138 and $2,217.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,890
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,138 - $2,217
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,590 - $3,132

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $70 - $139 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, typically costs $650.

What are the best freight companies from Chattanooga to Houston?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Covenant Logistics (4.8/5 stars): Covenant Logistics is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

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: Chattanooga, TN vs Houston, TX

Chattanooga and Houston land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 90 in Chattanooga and 97 in Houston, and rent tracks closely too ($1,475/mo vs. $1,549/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (29 vs 47) and safety scores (46.11 vs 36.5) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Houston, TX to Chattanooga, 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 Texas, 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 813-mile move like this one.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Chattanooga, TN, to Houston, TX, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,813 - $8,706 on the 813-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,185 - $3,916 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $590 - $1,586 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,465 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Houston tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and ample economic opportunity, though tropical storms and heat and humidity come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include H-E-B and Houston Methodist.

FAQs: Moving from Chattanooga, TN, to Houston, TX

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($240 - $274), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $139/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX 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 is the best time of year to move from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX?

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. Texas 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chattanooga, TN to Houston, TX?

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.

Is Houston a safe place to live?

Houston has a safety index of 36.5 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.5, compared to 46.11 and 53.89 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 33% of movers in Chattanooga handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.