($611+) McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN Movers
Moving from McAllen, TX, to Memphis, TN, runs anywhere from $611 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,909 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 915 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 $1,984, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,909 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,053 - $3,585, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $611 - $1,735.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Memphis, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,422 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 McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from McAllen to Memphis: 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 $2,422 - $5,540. Containers cost roughly 44% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 915 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 915-mile route from McAllen to Memphis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,984 - $4,673 | $1,053 - $2,071 | $611 - $1,087 | $1,007 - $1,901 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,422 - $5,540 | $1,367 - $2,820 | $634 - $1,320 | $1,197 - $2,188 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,165 - $7,909 | $1,897 - $3,585 | $779 - $1,735 | $1,519 - $2,928 |
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 McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
Full-service movers for the 915-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,984 and $7,909. 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 $240 - $1,600, 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 McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,984 - $4,673
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,422 - $5,540
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,165 - $7,909
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 McAllen to Memphis.
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 McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Memphis, 41% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing50% of local movers | $400 - $4,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: PODS Moving & Storage | $160 - $960/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $240 - $1,920 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs13% of local movers | $800 - $2,400 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,000 - $8,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $599 - $1,138 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $800 - $2,000 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC | $640 - $2,800 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $240 - $1,200 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $520 - $1,600 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $240 - $12,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $240 - $2,800+ |
What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Memphis?
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in McAllen, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Memphis, Tennessee, cost between $1,053 and $3,585. 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 McAllen costs roughly $55/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,053 - $2,071
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,367 - $2,820
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,897 - $3,585
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both McAllen, TX and Memphis, TN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $560 in McAllen, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $60 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $120 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Tennessee 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 $1,053. 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 $1,367 - $2,820.
What are the best moving containers McAllen to Memphis?
- 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:
- PODS Moving & Storage (3.7/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
Plan on $611 - $1,735 for a rental moving truck on the 915-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Memphis, Tennessee. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $233 - $266
- Daily insurance: $24/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
| 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 McAllen to Memphis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $611 - $1,087
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $634 - $1,320
- 4+ bedrooms: $779 - $1,735
Pro tip: A rental truck from McAllen to Memphis looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $611 - $1,735. But once you factor in fuel ($233 - $266), overnight lodging ($120/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 $120 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 McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $560 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 915-mile drive falls between $233 and $266, 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 $40 and $240 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Memphis?
- 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 McAllen, TX to Memphis, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from McAllen, Texas, to Memphis, Tennessee. 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 $720 and $2,188.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Memphis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,007 - $1,901
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,197 - $2,188
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,519 - $2,928
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?
- 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 McAllen, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $560.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $60 and $120 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Memphis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from McAllen to Memphis, 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: McAllen, TX vs Memphis, TN
McAllen and Memphis land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 76 in McAllen and 86 in Memphis, and average rent is $1,350/mo vs. $1,299/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 41 vs 35 and safety scores are 63.74 vs 22.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Memphis, TN to McAllen, TX guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee, 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. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 915-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from McAllen, TX, to Memphis, TN, 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 $1,984 - $7,909 on the 915-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,053 - $3,585, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $611 - $1,735. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,422 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include FedEx and AutoZone.
FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Memphis, TN
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in McAllen?
Local movers based in McAllen typically start around $160 as a base rate, plus $80/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 Memphis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What are the best neighborhoods in Memphis?
For families, Bartlett, Cordova, and East Memphis are worth a look in Memphis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Binghampton, Cooper-Young, and Crosstown tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Memphis?
Memphis has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of McAllen movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.