Santa Monica, CA → Knoxville, TN · Cross-country move

Movers from Santa Monica to Knoxville

About 2,301 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,840–$11,660, delivery in 7–14 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 229 in Knoxville.

2,301 miroad distance
40 hours (5 driving days)driving time
7–14 daysdelivery window
$7,840–$11,6602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0

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Route summary

From: Santa Monica, California
To: Knoxville, Tennessee
Road distance: ≈ 2,301 miles (1,950 straight-line)
Drive time: 40 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 7–14 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination: 229 (129 interstate)

Reverse: Knoxville → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to Knoxville, TN covers roughly 2,301 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $7,840 to $11,660 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 40 hours (5 driving days).

On the Santa Monica side there are 603 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (222 of them authorized for interstate work), and 229 around Knoxville (129 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 Knoxville.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Knoxville about 202,021. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 1,933), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Tennessee than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Tennessee levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Santa Monica to Knoxville

Full-service estimate for 2,301 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,140	$3,820	$4,670
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,700	$5,740	$7,000
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,840	$9,560	$11,660
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,540	$15,300	$18,660
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,250	$21,030	$25,660

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,260–$4,610

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

Portable container

$3,070–$4,520

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

Full-service mover

$7,840–$11,660

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Knoxville, TN. 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 Santa Monica (origin)

Clutter INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2719785
MC: 934868
Based in: Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 191 trucks, 382 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (877) 626-1887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1778992
MC: 648911
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90037 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dsd Trucking INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 465743
MC: 309255
Based in: Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 39 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (310) 725-1999 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3410979
MC: 1099772
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90008 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 35 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (310) 508-6676 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harmony Home Remodels

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4468385
MC: 1763223
Based in: Van Nuys, CA 91411 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (818) 747-3439 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dlvr

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3471374
MC: 1136305
Based in: Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 25 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Route Verify on FMCSA

Melogistix INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3479671
MC: 1141564
Based in: LA, CA 90019 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 25 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (323) 377-8628 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 603 movers in Santa Monica

Near Knoxville (destination)

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

Tips for this move

Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.
Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Knoxville accordingly.

Near Santa Monica

Near Knoxville

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Knoxville

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Santa Monica to Knoxville?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,140 to $4,670 for a studio, $4,700 to $7,000 for a one-bedroom, $7,840 to $11,660 for a two-bedroom, $12,540 to $18,660 for a three-bedroom and $17,250 to $25,660 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Knoxville from Santa Monica?

About 2,301 road miles (1,950 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 40 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 California into Tennessee 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 Santa Monica to Knoxville?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,260 to $4,610 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,070 to $4,520. 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 Santa Monica–Knoxville corridor.