($557+) Knoxville, TN to McKinney, TX Movers
Moving from Knoxville, TN, to McKinney, TX, runs anywhere from $557 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,053 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 826 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 $1,863, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,053 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,033 - $3,740, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $557 - $1,469.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Knoxville, TN, to McKinney, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,421 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 McKinney, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Knoxville to McKinney: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,421 - $5,826. Containers cost roughly 45% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 826 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 826-mile route from Knoxville to McKinney, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,863 for a studio up to $8,053 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,033 - $3,740 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $557 - $1,469, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $977 - $2,707, billed by the space you actually use.
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 McKinney, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to McKinney, Texas, costs between $1,863 and $8,053. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 826-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $300 - $2,000, 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 McKinney. 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 McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,863 - $4,512
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,421 - $5,826
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,222 - $8,053
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 McKinney.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Knoxville, TN to McKinney, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Knoxville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In McKinney, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready76% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| 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 | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Carey Moving & Storage | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Gouffon Moving & Storage | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Knoxville to McKinney?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN to McKinney, TX
Moving containers from Knoxville, Tennessee, to McKinney, Texas, cost between $1,033 and $3,740. 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 McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,033 - $2,063
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,327 - $2,645
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,950 - $3,740
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 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 $700 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 McKinney, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,033. 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 $1,327 - $2,645.
What are the best moving containers Knoxville to McKinney?
- 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 McKinney, TX
Plan on $557 - $1,469 for a rental moving truck on the 826-mile route from Knoxville, Tennessee, to McKinney, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $263 - $300
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 McKinney based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $557 - $1,019
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $614 - $1,300
- 4+ bedrooms: $769 - $1,469
Pro tip: A rental truck from Knoxville to McKinney looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $557 - $1,469. But once you factor in fuel ($263 - $300), overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $150 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 $700 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 826-mile drive falls between $263 and $300, 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 $50 and $300 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Knoxville to McKinney?
- 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 McKinney, TX
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 McKinney, Texas.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,161 and $2,181.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Knoxville to McKinney:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $977 - $1,821
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,161 - $2,181
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,530 - $2,707
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Knoxville, Tennessee, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $700.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $75 - $150 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 McKinney?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Knoxville to McKinney, 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 McKinney, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in McKinney, side by side with Knoxville on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,795/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $213,473 | $438,120 |
| Average income | $50,994/yr | $120,273/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 31/100 | 27/100 |
| Safety index | 57.46/100 | 78.52/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 McKinney, TX to Knoxville, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee to Texas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 213 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 826-mile move.
Our take
The 826-mile move from Knoxville, TN, to McKinney, TX, costs between $1,863 and $8,053 with full-service movers, $1,033 - $3,740 with a moving container, and $557 - $1,469 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 $2,421 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 Globe Life and SRS Distribution.
FAQs: Moving from Knoxville, TN, to McKinney, TX
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Knoxville, TN to McKinney, 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 McKinney a safe place to live?
McKinney has a safety index of 78.52 out of 100 and a crime index of 21.48, 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.
How walkable is McKinney?
McKinney has a walkability score of 27 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, 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 are the best neighborhoods in McKinney?
For families, Provence, Trinity Falls, and Auburn Hills are worth a look in McKinney. If you're moving solo or without kids, Historic Downtown, Trinity Falls, and Adriatic Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
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.