The Best Movers in Knoxville, TN: Honest Reviews and Local Costs
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Written by: All Movers Team
AllMovers team provides expert insights, mover comparisons, and practical resources to help you make informed moving decisions. Whether you need company reviews, relocation tips, or expert guidance, we’ve got you covered. Read more
Reviewed by: Sarah Mitchell
Meet Sarah Mitchell of All Movers: logistics pro, moving expert, and your go-to guide for stress-free tips, smart packing hacks, and honest advice.Read more
Last Update: 05/04/2026
Gouffon Moving & Storage is the absolute best overall moving company in Knoxville.
For long-distance moves out of Tennessee, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK provides the most reliable timeline.
A standard local move in Knoxville averages between $400 and $1,200 depending on your home size.
Moving to or from Knoxville is entirely different from moving in a flat city. You have the constant traffic on I-40 slowing everything down. You have steep, winding roads climbing up into the hills of West Knoxville.
And then there are the older historic houses in Sequoyah Hills with tight staircases. Getting a couch inside those places feels like a geometry test. You need movers in Knoxville who actually understand these local hurdles.
I am Sarah Mitchell. I spent years coordinating trucks for a mid-sized moving company before writing for All Movers. I know exactly how these businesses operate behind the scenes.
Finding a reliable crew means looking past the flashy websites. You have to check actual DOT records and compare verified moving company reviews before you call anyone. That is exactly what I did to build this guide.
I want to help you avoid the scams and find a crew that will actually show up on time.
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- Local moves in Knoxville cost about $125 to $180 per hour for a two-person crew.
- Always ask if your mover charges extra for stairs. This matters heavily if you live in a walk-up apartment near the university.
- Never pay a massive deposit upfront. Legitimate companies bill you after the truck is loaded or unloaded.
- Book your move at least four weeks in advance if you plan to move during the summer.
At a Glance: Comparing Top Knoxville Moving Companies
| Company Name | Best For | Average Rating |
| Gouffon Moving & Storage | Overall local moves | 4.8 |
| Mitchell Moving | Careful handling | 4.9 |
| 865 Movers Loudon | Budget-friendly | 4.7 |
| College HUNKS | Junk removal combo | 4.6 |
| TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | Long-distance moves | 4.5 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage | Last-minute jobs | 4.2 |
| Ace Moving Co. | Heavy item lifting | 4.4 |
My Top Picks for Knoxville Moving Companies
I do not trust generic reviews. People leave bad reviews when they are just stressed out about moving.
They leave great reviews when the driver asks them to right there in the driveway.
I looked at the actual state licenses, verified DOT numbers, and tracked down how these crews handle the specific logistical nightmare of Knoxville’s geography.
I only included companies that I would actually let move my own furniture.
Gouffon Moving & Storage
Best for Overall Local Moves
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 553340
- 1520 Amherst Rd, Knoxville, TN 37909
Gouffon Moving & Storage is literally a Knoxville institution. They have been operating for over a century. That is not an exaggeration.
When a moving company stays in business that long, it means they are not scamming people. They operate out of Amherst Road. They know every single backroad in Knox County.
If there is a wreck on I-40, their drivers actually know the surface streets to bypass the traffic. I coordinated moves for years. I can tell you that local geographic knowledge saves you hours of billed time.
These guys show up in uniform and get straight to work. They do not stand around looking at their phones while you pay them by the minute.
Full-service packing, local moving, long-distance routes, and commercial office moves.
The crews are highly experienced. They know how to disassemble complex furniture without losing the hardware. They actually put the screws in a labeled plastic bag.
But their premium service comes with a premium price tag. They are rarely the cheapest option on paper. You have to decide if peace of mind is worth the extra cash.
For most people with expensive furniture, it is. A few folks mentioned that getting an in-home estimate took a few days. They are a busy operation, so you have to be patient on the front end.
Mitchell Moving
Best for Careful Handling
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 3129249
- 400 Hialeah Dr, Apt 39, Knoxville, TN 37920
Mitchell Moving is a smaller operation. That is a massive advantage in this industry. When you hire them, you are usually getting a crew that has worked together for years.
They do not rely on random temporary labor from a temp agency. They operate out of South Knoxville. They handle the hilly areas and tight driveways constantly.
I respect their approach because they do not overbook their schedule. Many companies will book three jobs for one truck in a single day. Mitchell Moving takes their time.
They actually wrap the furniture properly before it goes out the door. They use heavy moving blankets and then secure them tightly with shrink wrap.
Residential moving, packing services.
They are incredibly careful with antique furniture. If you’re moving a parent or an elderly relative, senior moving specialists offer this same level of care as their core service.
They bring their own high-quality packing tape. You would be surprised how many cheap movers use terrible tape that peels off halfway to the destination. It sounds like a small detail, but a box bursting open on the sidewalk is a disaster. Mitchell Moving does not cut corners on materials.
The downside is that they book up extremely fast. If you need a mover next Tuesday, they probably cannot help you. You need to call them a month in advance to get on their calendar.
865 Movers Loudon
Best for Budget-Friendly
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 4519566
- 7172 Dusty Rose Ln, Knoxville, TN 37921
Moving is stupidly expensive. If you just need strong people to get your heavy stuff out of your old place and into the new one without draining your bank account, 865 Movers is a solid bet.
They are based out on Dusty Rose Lane. They do not have massive corporate overhead. They do not have a huge marketing budget.
They pass those operational savings directly on to you. I appreciate companies that keep it simple. Sometimes you just need raw muscle.
When you hire a labor-only crew, you have to provide the truck. You go to a rental place, rent the box truck, and drive it to your house. 865 Movers will show up and do the heavy lifting.
Labor-only loading, standard residential moves, apartment cleanouts.
Moving is stupidly expensive. If you just need strong people to get your heavy stuff out of your old place and into the new one without draining your bank account, 865 Movers is a solid bet.
They are based out on Dusty Rose Lane. They do not have massive corporate overhead. They do not have a huge marketing budget.
They pass those operational savings directly on to you. I appreciate companies that keep it simple. Sometimes you just need raw muscle.
When you hire a labor-only crew, you have to provide the truck. You go to a rental place, rent the box truck, and drive it to your house. 865 Movers will show up and do the heavy lifting.
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College HUNKS
Best for Junk Removal Combo
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 3969328
- 6219 Riverview Crossing Dr, Knoxville, TN 37924
The name is goofy. I get it. But this franchise actually runs a very tight ship here in town. Their warehouse is right near Riverview Crossing.
The biggest headache of moving is realizing how much trash you own. You start packing and realize you hate half of your furniture.
These guys solve that by offering moving and junk removal at the exact same time. It is a brilliant business model. They send two trucks if you need them. One takes your good stuff to the new house. The other hauls your old mattress to the dump.
Local moves, junk hauling
You can get rid of that broken dresser and move your good bed in one single appointment. That is extremely convenient and saves you a trip to the landfill.
If you have a basement full of old paint cans and broken electronics, you cannot just throw that in a moving truck. Moving companies are legally prohibited from transporting actual garbage. College HUNKS has the license and the means to take that junk away.
The bad part is that they use a centralized national call center for booking. Sometimes the person on the phone in another state does not understand that getting a truck up Sharp’s Ridge requires a specific approach.
You have to double-check your logistics with the actual local driver when they call to confirm. Do not assume the call center relayed your driveway dimensions accurately.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
Best for Long-Distance Moves
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 2254709
- 6136 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
This is a massive national franchise. The Knoxville location operates out of Western Avenue with a very large fleet.
If you are planning a long-distance move out of Tennessee, this is usually your safest choice. Local companies sometimes struggle with interstate regulations. They might not have the right permits to cross state lines legally.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has offices everywhere. That makes a cross-country move much more predictable. They have a system and they stick to it.
Interstate moves, local moves, business relocations.
They are highly reliable. They have strict corporate training for their crews. They use proper lifting techniques and standardized packing methods.
If something breaks, their claims process is actually functional and funded by a corporate backing. The negative is the price tag.
They are definitely more expensive than the smaller independent guys in town. You pay a premium for that brand name and safety net.
You pay a premium for that brand name and corporate backing. For an independent look at whether that premium is worth it, see how Two Men and a Truck actually performs across long-distance routes.
All My Sons Moving & Storage
Best for Last-Minute Jobs
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 2087637
- 509 Lovell Road, Knoxville, TN 37932
This is a huge national company with a local office out by Lovell Road in West Knoxville. Because they have so many trucks and crews, they are often the only company that can help you in a pinch.
If your original mover cancels on you the day before your lease ends, All My Sons will usually have a truck available. They have the sheer volume to handle emergencies.
I have seen smaller companies break down on the side of the highway and leave a customer stranded. A massive fleet prevents that from happening.
During the busy summer months, small moving companies run out of trucks. If you call them in June for a July move, they will laugh at you. All My Sons can almost always squeeze you in.
Full-service moving, corporate relocations, short-term storage.
Availability is their biggest strength. They can almost always fit you into the schedule.
The drawback is that their sales tactics can feel very aggressive. They push hard for you to buy their packing supplies. They will try to upsell you on boxes, tape, and bubble wrap.
Just say no if you already bought your own boxes at a hardware store. Stick to your budget and do not let them pressure you into services you do not need.
Ace Moving Co.
Best for Heavy Item Lifting
The rating shown is an editorial score independently determined by AllMovers team. It is based on industry analysis, customer reviews, publicly available information, and other relevant criteria.
- DOT #: 3456781
- 1733 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920
These guys operate out of the Clinton area but service all of Knoxville. They are exactly what you want when you have a massive oak dining table or a giant sectional sofa.
They send crews who clearly know how to use shoulder dollies and lifting straps properly. You would be shocked how many movers just try to brute-force a heavy couch.
They end up scratching a door frame or hurting their backs. Ace Moving trains their guys to work smarter, not harder. They know how to pivot a massive dresser around a tight corner.
Residential moves, large furniture moving.
They handle heavy stuff without complaining. They are tough and they work hard. You will not catch them whining about a heavy sleeper sofa.
However, their administrative side can be a bit slow. Getting a final quote emailed to you might take a follow-up phone call. They are better at lifting than they are at checking their inbox.
Average Cost of Movers in Knoxville, TN
You need to know what a normal quote looks like before you start calling companies. Run your numbers through our moving budget calculator first. Moving in the middle of summer will always cost more.
Everyone wants to move when the kids are out of school in June and July. Movers know this, and they raise their rates accordingly.
If you can schedule your move for a random Tuesday in November, you will save a lot of cash. The moving industry is entirely built on supply and demand.
Please note that prices are estimates for informational purposes and may vary based on individual factors.
| Home Size | Average Local Cost | Estimated Time |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $400 - $600 | 3 - 5 hours |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $550 - $800 | 4 - 6 hours |
| 3-Bedroom House | $900 - $1,400 | 6 - 9 hours |
| 4-Bedroom House | $1,300 - $2,000 | 8 - 12 hours |
Local vs. Long-Distance Moving Cost
Local moves within Knox County are billed by the hour. You pay for the truck and the time the guys spend loading and driving. It is that simple.
The clock starts when they arrive at your old house. The clock stops when the last box comes off the truck at your new place. You are paying for their physical time.
Long-distance moves are totally different. Movers weigh the truck empty, load your stuff, and weigh it again at a weigh station. You pay based on that physical weight and the total mileage.
It is highly regulated by the federal government to prevent fraud. If you are packing up and heading out of Tennessee entirely, check out this guide on the top cities people are moving to. It gives you a good idea of popular routes and what to expect on the other side.
Factors That Will Change Your Moving Quote
Knoxville is not a flat grid. If you live on a steep hill in Fountain City, the driver might have to park the truck down the street.
That means the crew has to walk further with every single box. That extra time costs you money. Movers call this a “long carry” fee.
Stairs are the biggest budget killer. A third-floor walk-up apartment near the UT campus will easily add two hours to your bill.
Movers get tired. The heavier the furniture, and the longer the walk, the more you pay. You must tell your estimator about every single staircase.
If you hide the stairs, they will upcharge you heavily on moving day. Do not try to trick your movers. I have seen estimators completely cancel a job on the spot because the customer lied about having an elevator.
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877-792-7972Specialized Moving Services You Might Actually Need
Most moving websites are full of marketing garbage. Let’s talk about the specific services that actually matter when you are trying to get your life into a truck.
Do not pay for premium services unless you genuinely have a logistical need for them. A standard labor crew is fine for most jobs. But some items require an expert.
Piano and Heavy Item Movers
Do not let a standard crew move an upright piano. Just don’t. I have seen the damage.
You need piano and heavy item specialists. They have the right boards. They have the right straps. They know the balance points. They know the balance points of the instrument.
The same rule applies to massive gun safes and large hot tubs. These items weigh hundreds of pounds and will crush a normal mover who does not know what they are doing.
Mobile and Manufactured Home Transport
A regular household moving company will not move a mobile home. They only move the stuff inside it.
If you need the actual structure moved, you have to hire a specialized heavy haul transport company. It is a completely different industry with different highway permits.
You can learn more about how much it costs to move a mobile home here. You should also get a detailed breakdown of moving mobile home costs before you make any plans.
Moving a whole house requires highway escorts and specialized rigs. It is a massive undertaking.
Student and Small Moves
University of Tennessee students move every single August and May. It is complete chaos around Cumberland Avenue and the dorms.
If you are just moving a bed, a desk, and some clothes, you do not need a 26-foot truck. Hire a smaller labor-only crew. Rent a pickup truck yourself.
It will save you hundreds of dollars. The big van lines have massive minimum weight requirements that make small apartment moves way too expensive.
Office and Commercial Relocations
Moving a business means moving expensive copiers, massive desks, and lots of computer monitors. You cannot put those things in cheap cardboard boxes.
You need a company that provides plastic commercial moving crates. They also need to know how to break down cubicle walls without destroying them.
A good commercial crew works overnight or on weekends so your office does not lose working hours. Gouffon Moving & Storage is usually solid at handling these commercial jobs efficiently.
Navigating Knoxville Neighborhoods: A Mover's Perspective
Where you live dictates how hard your move will be. Period. The guys carrying your boxes care deeply about your driveway situation.
A house that looks cute on Zillow might be a total nightmare for a box truck driver. Local knowledge is a major asset here.
How to Choose a Moving Company Without Getting Scammed
There are terrible people in this industry. They will quote you $500 over the phone to get your business. They load your TV and bed onto a truck.
Then they demand $2,000 to give it back. This is called hostage freight. It happens all the time. I saw it happen to folks who called our office in tears looking for help.
Always verify a company’s USDOT number on the federal database before you hand over a deposit. I did that for you in the list above. If a company wants a massive deposit upfront, hang up the phone immediately.
Real companies do not need your money to pay for their gas. They bill you at the end of the job. Also, if they answer the phone by just saying “Movers,” run away – that’s usually a broker, not a carrier, and they will sell your job to whoever bids the lowest. A real business says their actual name.
Never sign a blank document on moving day. And once you’re settled in, use our new house moving checklist to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. I do not care how rushed the driver is. If the paperwork does not have a final price on it, tell them to stop loading.
Always read the fine print about insurance. Basic coverage only pays out 60 cents per pound. That means if they drop your expensive flat-screen TV, they will hand you a check for about 30 bucks.
Buy full-value protection if you have expensive items. It costs more upfront, but it forces the company to actually replace the item if they break it.
Moving sucks. But the right crew makes it bearable. Also moving through Chattanooga or Nashville?
We cover those cities too. For most folks in the area, Gouffon Moving & Storage is the safest bet for a local job.
If you are leaving the state entirely, call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and get a binding estimate. Be honest about your stairs, pack your boxes tight, and tip your movers if they do a good job.