($434+) Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ ranges from $1,191 to $8,284, with an average cost of $2,650. Moves can be as low as $434 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 493 miles and usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving options from Bakersfield to Scottsdale fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,191 - $8,284 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $2,650, 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 493 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 493-mile route from Bakersfield to Scottsdale, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,191 - $4,046 | $982 - $1,829 | $426 - $748 | $866 - $1,551 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,048 - $5,172 | $1,283 - $2,402 | $436 - $924 | $997 - $1,979 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,540 - $8,284 | $1,706 - $3,021 | $588 - $1,169 | $1,298 - $2,466 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 493-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, with costs ranging from $1,191 - $8,284. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $316 - $2,104. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Bakersfield and Scottsdale. Local movers in Bakersfield typically start around $420 as a base rate plus $116/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,191 - $4,046
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,048 - $5,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,540 - $8,284
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 Scottsdale.
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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Scottsdale, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $526 - $5,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $210 - $1,262/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,525 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs | $1,052 - $3,156 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,630 - $10,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $788 - $1,497 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,052 - $2,630 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $842 - $3,682 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $316 - $1,578 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $684 - $2,104 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $316 - $15,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $316 - $3,682+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Scottsdale?
Movers licensed to operate in Arizona are typically members of the Arizona Moving Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Bakersfield, CA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Bakersfield to Scottsdale with a local mover averages $2,008 - $5,069. 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 Scottsdale, AZ
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, cost between $982 and $3,021. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Scottsdale. If you go over that window, storage in Bakersfield adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Bakersfield to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $1,829
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,283 - $2,402
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,706 - $3,021
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 Scottsdale, 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 $982. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,283 - $2,402, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Scottsdale?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ
Truck rentals from Bakersfield, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, range from $426 - $1,169 for the 493-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $165 - $189
- 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 size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield to Scottsdale based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $426 - $748
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $436 - $924
- 4+ bedrooms: $588 - $1,169
Pro tip: The base rate of $426 - $1,169 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Bakersfield to Scottsdale. Fuel ($165 - $189) , lodging at around $158/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Bakersfield, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $736.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $165 - $189 for the 493-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $63 and $342, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $158 per night for hotel stops on the 493-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $316 - $473.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Scottsdale?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Bakersfield, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $997 and $1,979.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $1,979
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,298 - $2,466
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 Scottsdale?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Scottsdale quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Scottsdale, AZ
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Bakersfield and Scottsdale to plan around. Cost of living index: 100 vs. 113. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $3,300/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 37 vs. 32. Safety index: 41.51 vs. 74.2.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from California to Arizona, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 374 movers in California, so you have real options to compare for this 493-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Bakersfield, CA, to Scottsdale, 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 $1,191 - $8,284 on the 493-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $982 - $3,021 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $426 - $1,169 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,048 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 Scottsdale tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and beautiful nature, though tourists and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Honor Health and CVS Health.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Scottsdale, AZ
How walkable is Scottsdale?
Scottsdale has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 56, 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.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($165 - $189), 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 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 is the best time of year to move from Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, 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.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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.
