($943+) Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX ranges from $1,256 to $9,687, with an average cost of $3,450. Moves can be as low as $943 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,488 miles and usually takes 3 to 8 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 Austin, TX
Moving options from Bakersfield to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,256 - $9,687 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,450, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,488 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,488-mile route from Bakersfield to Austin, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,256 - $4,813 | $1,368 - $2,539 | $853 - $1,738 | $1,293 - $2,354 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,969 - $6,892 | $1,731 - $3,653 | $1,009 - $2,046 | $1,428 - $2,980 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,989 - $9,687 | $2,379 - $4,780 | $1,259 - $2,499 | $1,961 - $3,785 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX
For the 1,488-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Austin, Texas, full-service movers cost between $1,256 and $9,687. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $335 - $2,232 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Bakersfield generally start around $420 plus $116 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,256 - $4,813
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,969 - $6,892
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,989 - $9,687
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 Austin.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $558 - $5,580 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $223 - $1,339/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $335 - $2,678 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $1,116 - $3,348 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,790 - $11,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $836 - $1,588 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $1,116 - $2,790 |
| Piano | Any piano type14% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $893 - $3,906 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $335 - $1,674 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $725 - $2,232 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $335 - $16,740+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $335 - $3,906+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Austin?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Bakersfield, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,368 and $4,780. 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 Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,368 - $2,539
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,731 - $3,653
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,379 - $4,780
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $167 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 $781 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 Austin, TX, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Texas 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 $1,368. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,731 - $3,653.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Austin?
- 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:
- Meathead Movers (4.8/5), 23 years in business
- Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- PODS Moving & Storage
Moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX
Plan on $853 - $2,499 for a rental moving truck on the 1,488-mile route from Bakersfield, California, to Austin, Texas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $528 - $604
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $853 - $1,738
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,009 - $2,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,259 - $2,499
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $853 - $2,499 when pricing out a rental truck from Bakersfield to Austin. Fuel alone runs $528 - $604, and overnight lodging ($167/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $528 - $604 for the 1,488-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for about 5 hours typically costs around $781.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,488-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $167 per night, adding $335 - $502 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $56 and $335.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Austin?
- 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 Austin, TX
If you're moving a larger household from Bakersfield, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Austin, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,428 and $2,980.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,293 - $2,354
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,428 - $2,980
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,961 - $3,785
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 $781.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $167 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 Austin?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Bakersfield to Austin, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with Bakersfield on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Bakersfield, CA | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 129 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $345,317 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $77,397/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 41.51/100 | 59.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Texas over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 1,126 movers in our California network to compare for this 1,488-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Bakersfield, CA, to Austin, TX, 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 $1,256 - $9,687 on the 1,488-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,368 - $4,780 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $853 - $2,499 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,969 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 Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Austin, TX
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX?
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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($528 - $604), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $167/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Austin?
Austin has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 54, 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 percentage of Bakersfield movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 14% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.