Moving From Guide

Moving From Memphis, TN

Everything you need to know about leaving Memphis — from top destinations and moving tips to your farewell checklist.

Population: 633,104COL Index: 82Median Home: $165,000Avg Winter: 30°F

Why People Leave Memphis

Every city has its trade-offs. Here are the most common reasons residents decide it's time to move on from Memphis.

1

Limited walkability and car-dependent infrastructure frustrate residents who prefer urban convenience and shorter commutes.

2

Career opportunities elsewhere attract ambitious professionals looking for growth in emerging job markets.

3

Many residents seek a change of pace — whether it's a smaller community, different climate, or closer proximity to family.

Top Destinations From Memphis

Explore the most popular places people move to when leaving Memphis, with distance, drive time, and cost comparisons.

Dallas, TX

450 miles
7 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West

Nashville, TN

210 miles
3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Atlanta, GA

390 miles
6 hour drive
via I-22 East

Austin, TX

640 miles
9 hour drive
via I-40 West / I-30 West / I-35 South

New York, NY

1,239 miles
22.5 hour drive
via I-40 East

Los Angeles, CA

2,080 miles
37.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Chicago, IL

628 miles
11.4 hour drive
via I-35 North

Houston, TX

630 miles
11.5 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 West

Phoenix, AZ

1,638 miles
29.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Philadelphia, PA

1,143 miles
20.8 hour drive
via I-40 East

San Antonio, TX

821 miles
14.9 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 West

San Diego, CA

2,026 miles
36.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

San Jose, CA

2,304 miles
41.9 hour drive
via I-40 West

Jacksonville, FL

767 miles
13.9 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

Fort Worth, TX

583 miles
10.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Columbus, OH

662 miles
12 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Charlotte, NC

676 miles
12.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Indianapolis, IN

499 miles
9.1 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

San Francisco, CA

2,339 miles
42.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Seattle, WA

2,423 miles
44.1 hour drive
via I-40 West

Denver, CO

1,141 miles
20.7 hour drive
via I-40 West

Oklahoma City, OK

548 miles
10 hour drive
via I-40 West

El Paso, TX

1,267 miles
23 hour drive
via I-40 West

Washington, DC

991 miles
18 hour drive
via I-40 East

Las Vegas, NV

1,828 miles
33.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Louisville, KY

416 miles
7.6 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Portland, OR

2,400 miles
43.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Baltimore, MD

1,029 miles
18.7 hour drive
via I-40 East

Milwaukee, WI

724 miles
13.2 hour drive
via I-35 North

Albuquerque, NM

1,218 miles
22.1 hour drive
via I-40 West

Tucson, AZ

1,583 miles
28.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Fresno, CA

2,159 miles
39.3 hour drive
via I-40 West

Sacramento, CA

2,270 miles
41.3 hour drive
via I-40 West

Mesa, AZ

1,621 miles
29.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Kansas City, MO

481 miles
8.7 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 West

Omaha, NE

688 miles
12.5 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 West

Colorado Springs, CO

1,109 miles
20.2 hour drive
via I-40 West

Raleigh, NC

836 miles
15.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Miami, FL

1,136 miles
20.7 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

Tampa, FL

869 miles
15.8 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

Orlando, FL

888 miles
16.1 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

St. Louis, MO

313 miles
5.7 hour drive
via I-35 North

Pittsburgh, PA

857 miles
15.6 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Cincinnati, OH

532 miles
9.7 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Boise, ID

1,958 miles
35.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Richmond, VA

937 miles
17 hour drive
via I-40 East

Salt Lake City, UT

1,622 miles
29.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Minneapolis, MN

910 miles
16.5 hour drive
via I-35 North

New Orleans, LA

467 miles
8.5 hour drive
via I-35 South

Honolulu, HI

5,408 miles
98.3 hour drive
via I-40 West

Charleston, SC

783 miles
14.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Savannah, GA

724 miles
13.2 hour drive
via I-40 East

Knoxville, TN

454 miles
8.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Fort Lauderdale, FL

1,114 miles
20.3 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

Chattanooga, TN

348 miles
6.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Madison, WI

713 miles
13 hour drive
via I-35 North

Grand Rapids, MI

765 miles
13.9 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Huntsville, AL

258 miles
4.7 hour drive
via I-40 East

Greenville, SC

564 miles
10.3 hour drive
via I-40 East

Asheville, NC

550 miles
10 hour drive
via I-40 East

Des Moines, IA

631 miles
11.5 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 West

Spokane, WA

2,143 miles
39 hour drive
via I-40 West

Birmingham, AL

282 miles
5.1 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-40 East

Sioux Falls, SD

885 miles
16.1 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 West

Fargo, ND

1,147 miles
20.9 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 West

Scottsdale, AZ

1,626 miles
29.6 hour drive
via I-40 West

Arlington, TX

569 miles
10.3 hour drive
via I-40 West

Aurora, CO

1,130 miles
20.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Bakersfield, CA

2,117 miles
38.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Anaheim, CA

2,060 miles
37.5 hour drive
via I-40 West

Santa Ana, CA

2,058 miles
37.4 hour drive
via I-40 West

Long Beach, CA

2,081 miles
37.8 hour drive
via I-40 West

Virginia Beach, VA

1,033 miles
18.8 hour drive
via I-40 East

Rochester, NY

1,124 miles
20.4 hour drive
via I-65 North / I-40 East

Finding Movers in Memphis

Navigating the moving company landscape can be overwhelming. Here's what to keep in mind when hiring movers in Memphis.

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get at least 3 in-home or virtual estimates. Prices in Memphis can vary by 30-50% between companies for the same move.

Verify Licenses

Check USDOT numbers for interstate moves and state licensing for local moves. Avoid movers who only accept cash or won't provide written estimates.

Time It Right

Moving during off-peak months (October–April) can save 20-30%. Midweek moves are also typically cheaper than weekend slots in Memphis.

Packing Up in Memphis

Packing up a house in Memphis? These tips will save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.

Start with the Garage

Homes in Memphis often accumulate years of garage clutter. Start there — you'll free up staging space and reduce your load.

Protect Your Floors

Use furniture sliders on hardwood and carpet protectors on stairs. Moving heavy furniture can cause costly damage to your home.

Label by Room and Priority

Color-code boxes by destination room and mark 'open first' essentials. You'll thank yourself on unpacking day.

Handle Yard Equipment Early

Drain fuel from mowers, blowers, and trimmers. These items need special handling and should be prepped days before the move.

Photograph Your Setup

Take photos of how electronics, shelving, and wall art are arranged. It makes recreating your space in your new home much easier.

Your Memphis Farewell Checklist

Don't leave anything behind (except the memories). Complete these 10 essential tasks before your last day in Memphis.

Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
Forward your mail through USPS (set up at least 2 weeks early)
Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
Transfer or obtain new vehicle registration and driver's license
Notify your employer and update payroll records
Say goodbye to neighbors, friends, and colleagues
Get copies of medical and dental records
Close or transfer local gym memberships and services
Return library books, rented equipment, and borrowed items
Do a final walkthrough and document the condition of your home

Ready to Leave Memphis?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with Memphis relocations.