($438+) Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ Movers

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The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ ranges from $1,196 to $7,927, with an average cost of $2,750. Moves can be as low as $438 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 500 miles and usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

Moving options from Bakersfield to Mesa fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,196 - $7,927 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,750, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 500 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 500-mile route from Bakersfield to Mesa, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,196 - $3,827 $1,003 - $1,745 $416 - $789 $894 - $1,602
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,059 - $5,644 $1,248 - $2,484 $491 - $955 $988 - $2,027
4+ bedrooms $3,823 - $7,927 $1,762 - $3,320 $600 - $1,162 $1,343 - $2,529

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

Full-service movers for the 500-mile relocation from Bakersfield, California, to Mesa, Arizona, cost between $1,196 and $7,927. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $316 - $2,104, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Bakersfield typically charge a base rate around $420 plus $116 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Mesa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,196 - $3,827
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,059 - $5,644
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,823 - $7,927

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 Bakersfield to Mesa.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Arizona. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Mesa, 85% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$526 - $5,260
Storage in transitNew place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers$210 - $1,262/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$316 - $2,525
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs$1,052 - $3,156
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,630 - $10,520
Car shippingSecond vehicle$788 - $1,497
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$1,052 - $2,630
PianoAny piano type40% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$842 - $3,682
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers$316 - $1,578
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$684 - $2,104
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$316 - $15,780+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$316 - $3,682+

What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Mesa?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

How much do local movers cost in Bakersfield, CA?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Bakersfield to Mesa with a local mover averages $2,141 - $5,869. Working with a local mover based in Bakersfield, CA often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.

The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.

Meathead Movers (4.58/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Bakersfield, ranked #17 in California, based on our analysis of feedback from 274 customers, 87.6% of which is positive.

Address: 2334 Perseus Ct, Bakersfield, CA, 93308 | Founded: 2003

Moving container costs from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Mesa, Arizona, cost between $1,003 and $3,320. 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 Bakersfield costs roughly $90/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Bakersfield to Mesa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,003 - $1,745
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,248 - $2,484
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,762 - $3,320

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $79 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $158 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $736 in Bakersfield, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Mesa, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Arizona 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 $1,003. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,248 - $2,484, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Mesa?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield:

  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 20 years in business
  • US Pro Logistics (4.8/5), 4 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

Truck rentals from Bakersfield, California, to Mesa, Arizona, range from $416 - $1,162 for the 500-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $167 - $191
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Bakersfield daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield to Mesa based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $416 - $789
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $491 - $955
  • 4+ bedrooms: $600 - $1,162

Pro tip: A rental truck from Bakersfield to Mesa looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $416 - $1,162. But once you factor in fuel ($167 - $191) , overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $158 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $68 and $342 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $167 - $191 in fuel for the 500-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $736 in Bakersfield, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Mesa?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ

For larger DIY moves from Bakersfield, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Mesa, Arizona.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $988 and $2,027.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Mesa:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $894 - $1,602
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $988 - $2,027
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,529

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Bakersfield, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $736.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $79 - $158 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 Bakersfield to Mesa?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Bakersfield to Mesa. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Mesa, AZ

Bakersfield and Mesa land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 100 in Bakersfield and 113 in Mesa, and rent tracks closely too ($1,695/mo vs. $1,786/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (37 vs 38) and safety scores (41.51 vs 55.33) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Arizona 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 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 500-mile route.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Bakersfield, CA, to Mesa, AZ, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,196 - $7,927 on the 500-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,003 - $3,320 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $416 - $1,162 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,059 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Mesa tend to point to bountiful outdoor activities and beautiful nature, though terrible traffic and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Banner Health System and Mesa Public Schools.

FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Mesa, AZ

What is the best time of year to move from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ?

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 do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?

Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($167 - $191), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $158/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Mesa?

Mesa has a walkability score of 38 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 60, compared to 37 and 44 in Bakersfield. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ?

Costs on this route range from around $1,196 to $7,927, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,196 and $7,927, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What percentage of Bakersfield movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 40% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.