($603+) Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from Plano, TX, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $585 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,709 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 843 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 $1,938, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,709 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,175 - $3,777, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $585 - $1,590.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Plano, TX, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,345 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving options from Plano to Knoxville fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,345 - $5,819 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 843-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 843-mile route from Plano to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,938 - $4,882 | $1,175 - $2,187 | $585 - $1,126 | $1,077 - $1,781 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,345 - $5,819 | $1,451 - $2,746 | $684 - $1,337 | $1,125 - $2,428 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,097 - $8,709 | $2,008 - $3,777 | $774 - $1,590 | $1,496 - $2,930 |
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 Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Hiring full-service movers from Plano, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, costs between $1,938 and $8,709. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 843-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $312 - $2,080, 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 Plano and Knoxville. For a rough baseline, movers based in Plano tend to start around $181 plus $92/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 Plano to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,938 - $4,882
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,345 - $5,819
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,097 - $8,709
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 Plano to Knoxville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Tennessee. 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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Plano movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Knoxville, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $520 - $5,200 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $208 - $1,248/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $312 - $2,496 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs68% of local movers | $1,040 - $3,120 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,600 - $10,400 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $779 - $1,480 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items49% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $1,040 - $2,600 |
| Piano | Any piano type65% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $832 - $3,640 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling35% of local movers | $312 - $1,560 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $676 - $2,080 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $312 - $15,600+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $312 - $3,640+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Plano to Knoxville?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Plano, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from Plano, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,175 and $3,777. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Plano runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Plano to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,187
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,451 - $2,746
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,008 - $3,777
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 Plano, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $728, 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 $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $156 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Plano, TX, and Knoxville, TN, 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 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 $1,175. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,451 - $2,746, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Plano to Knoxville?
- 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 Plano 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 Plano:
- AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Wrightway Moving Company (4.8/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from Plano, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $585 - $1,590 for the 843-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $279 - $319
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Plano daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Plano to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $585 - $1,126
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $684 - $1,337
- 4+ bedrooms: $774 - $1,590
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $585 - $1,590 does not include fuel ($279 - $319) , lodging ($156/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Plano to Knoxville typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $279 - $319 for the 843-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 Plano, Texas, for about 5 hours typically costs around $728.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 843-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $156 per night, adding $312 - $468 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $312.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Plano to Knoxville?
- 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 Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Plano, Texas, to Knoxville, 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 $936 and $2,428.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Plano to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,077 - $1,781
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,125 - $2,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,496 - $2,930
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 Plano, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $728.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $78 - $156 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 Plano to Knoxville?
- 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.
- Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight 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: Plano, TX vs Knoxville, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Knoxville, side by side with Plano on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Plano, TX | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 92 |
| Average rent | $2,100/mo | $1,795/mo |
| Median home value | $440,202 | $213,473 |
| Average income | $108,649/yr | $50,994/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 4.7% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Walkability score | 41/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 76.98/100 | 57.46/100 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN to Plano, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee 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 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 843-mile move.
Our take
A move from Plano, TX, to Knoxville, 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 $1,938 - $8,709 on the 843-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,175 - $3,777, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $585 - $1,590. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,345 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 Regal Cinemas Corp and Regal.
FAQs: Moving from Plano, TX, to Knoxville, TN
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($279 - $319), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $156/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Plano, TX to Knoxville, TN?
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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Knoxville a safe place to live?
Knoxville has a safety index of 57.46 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.54, compared to 76.98 and 23.02 in Plano. 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 Plano movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 65% of movers in Plano handle piano moves, and 49% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.