($726+) San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN Movers
Moving from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN, runs anywhere from $726 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,245 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,115 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,110, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,245 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,255 - $3,938, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $726 - $1,960.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,741 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from San Antonio to Knoxville: 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 $2,741 - $6,252. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 71% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,115-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 1,115-mile route from San Antonio to Knoxville, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,110 - $4,892 | $1,255 - $2,143 | $726 - $1,395 | $1,075 - $2,109 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,741 - $6,252 | $1,555 - $3,263 | $800 - $1,658 | $1,193 - $2,411 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,185 - $8,245 | $2,164 - $3,938 | $957 - $1,960 | $1,765 - $3,151 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,115-mile move from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, with costs ranging from $2,110 - $8,245. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $274 - $1,828. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between San Antonio and Knoxville. Local movers in San Antonio typically start around $192 as a base rate plus $96/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,110 - $4,892
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,741 - $6,252
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,185 - $8,245
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 San Antonio to Knoxville.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 72% of San Antonio movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Knoxville, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing85% of local movers | $457 - $4,570 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $183 - $1,097/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $274 - $2,194 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $914 - $2,742 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,285 - $9,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $685 - $1,301 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Evolution Moving Company | $914 - $2,285 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $731 - $3,199 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling18% of local movers | $274 - $1,371 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $594 - $1,828 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $274 - $13,710+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $274 - $3,199+ |
What are the best full-service movers from San Antonio to Knoxville?
- 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 San Antonio, 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Moving containers from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, cost between $1,255 and $3,938. 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 San Antonio costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,255 - $2,143
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,555 - $3,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,164 - $3,938
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both San Antonio, TX and Knoxville, 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 $640 in San Antonio, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $69 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $137 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 $1,255. 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 $1,555 - $3,263.
What are the best moving containers San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio:
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- AB Moving (4.6/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
Truck rentals from San Antonio, Texas, to Knoxville, Tennessee, range from $726 - $1,960 for the 1,115-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $324 - $371
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- San Antonio daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.19
| 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 San Antonio to Knoxville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $726 - $1,395
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $800 - $1,658
- 4+ bedrooms: $957 - $1,960
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $726 - $1,960 when pricing out a rental truck from San Antonio to Knoxville. Fuel alone runs $324 - $371, and overnight lodging ($137/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in San Antonio, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $640.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $324 - $371 for the 1,115-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $55 and $297, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $137 per night for hotel stops on the 1,115-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $274 - $411.
What are the best moving truck rentals from San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
If you're moving a larger household from San Antonio, Texas, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,193 and $2,411.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from San Antonio to Knoxville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,075 - $2,109
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,193 - $2,411
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,151
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 San Antonio, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $640.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $69 - $137 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 San Antonio to Knoxville?
- 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Knoxville quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs Knoxville, TN
Good news for your budget: Knoxville isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than San Antonio. Cost of living index runs 92 there against 91 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 37/100 and 51.94/100 here versus 31/100 and 57.46/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Knoxville, TN to San Antonio, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Tennessee in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 803 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 1,115-mile route.
Our take
A move from San Antonio, 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 $2,110 - $8,245 on the 1,115-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,255 - $3,938, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $726 - $1,960. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,741 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 San Antonio, TX, to Knoxville, TN
How walkable is Knoxville?
Knoxville has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 30, compared to 37 and 45 in San Antonio. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 51.94 and 48.06 in San Antonio. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN?
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 is the best time of year to move from San Antonio, 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.
How long does a move from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 percentage of San Antonio movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in San Antonio handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.