Knoxville, TN → Cincinnati, OH · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Knoxville to Cincinnati

About 261 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,390–$3,560, delivery in 1–3 days, 229 carriers on the Knoxville side and 558 in Cincinnati.

261 miroad distance
5 h 12 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,390–$3,5602-bedroom estimate

Photo: EEJCC · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Knoxville, Tennessee
To: Cincinnati, Ohio
Road distance: ≈ 261 miles (221 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 12 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 229 (129 interstate)
Movers at destination: 558 (420 interstate)

Reverse: Cincinnati → Knoxville

The route from Knoxville, TN to Cincinnati, OH covers roughly 261 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $2,390 to $3,560 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 5 h 12 min.

On the Knoxville side there are 229 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (129 of them authorized for interstate work), and 558 around Cincinnati (420 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Cincinnati.

Knoxville has a population of about 202,021 and Cincinnati about 314,367. Cincinnati is the denser city (3,976 people per square mile versus 1,933 in Knoxville), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Ohio does collect a state income tax, unlike Tennessee, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Knoxville to Cincinnati

Full-service estimate for 261 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,440	$1,750	$2,140
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,390	$2,920	$3,560
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,830	$4,670	$5,700
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,270	$6,420	$7,840

Rental truck (DIY)

$420–$590

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,250–$1,840

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,390–$3,560

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Knoxville, TN → Cincinnati, OH. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Knoxville (origin)

Tld Logistics Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1820774
MC: 658802
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37932 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 495 trucks, 415 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (865) 539-1285 Route Verify on FMCSA

Primeturbo LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3612859
MC: 1231221
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37931 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (646) 270-5441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jim'S Garage & Wrecker Service

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jims Garage & Wrecker Service LLC

USDOT: 491039
MC: 443902
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37919 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 28 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (865) 588-7338 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gouffon Moving & Storage Company INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 553340
MC: 273542
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37921 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (865) 584-8545 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rowe Transfer INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1079919
MC: 448775
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37914 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (865) 523-0421 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fox Moving And Storage Of East Tennessee LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2500143
MC: 866796
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37921 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (865) 437-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Emerald Home Furnishings

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hackney Home Furnishings INC

USDOT: 329373
MC: 476934
Based in: Louisville, TN 37777 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (865) 982-5040 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brabston INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1736945
MC: 636216
Based in: Knoxville, TN 37924 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (865) 500-7002 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 229 movers in Knoxville

Near Cincinnati (destination)

Kfn

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC

USDOT: 81583
MC: 317346
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2,152 trucks, 2,170 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (513) 762-4000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kroger Brokerage Services

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Kroger Dedicated Logistics Company

USDOT: 624483
MC: 298044
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 455 trucks, 601 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (513) 530-7339 Route Verify on FMCSA

Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3310065
MC: 1124535
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45202 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 425 trucks, 827 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (513) 460-9996 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bogg Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3195710
MC: 149749
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45212 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 321 trucks, 321 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (513) 916-3232 Route Verify on FMCSA

Total Package Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 540855
MC: 217127
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45247 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 116 trucks, 116 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (513) 741-5500 Route Verify on FMCSA

Obarker Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3588162
MC: 1214403
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45249 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 115 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (646) 540-3983 Route Verify on FMCSA

Moon Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2800379
MC: 935386
Based in: Cincinnati, OH 45241 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 111 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (513) 918-0810 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mco Express Orlando INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2456323
MC: 848294
Based in: Springdale, OH 45246 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 140 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (407) 420-6900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 558 movers in Cincinnati

Tips for this move

Plan a first-night kit for Cincinnati: bedding, toiletries, a few kitchen basics.
Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.

Near Knoxville

Near Cincinnati

Related routes

Other destinations from Knoxville

Other origins to Cincinnati

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Knoxville to Cincinnati?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,440 to $2,140 for a one-bedroom, $2,390 to $3,560 for a two-bedroom, $3,830 to $5,700 for a three-bedroom and $5,270 to $7,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Cincinnati from Knoxville?

About 261 road miles (221 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 12 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Tennessee into Ohio makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Knoxville to Cincinnati?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $420 to $590 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,250 to $1,840. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Knoxville–Cincinnati corridor.