($1,513+) Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,592 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,925 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,718 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,379, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,925 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,888 - $7,179, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,592 - $4,462.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,738 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Wilmington to Bakersfield: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,738 - $7,240. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,718-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,718-mile route from Wilmington to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,379 - $6,007 | $1,888 - $3,938 | $1,592 - $3,023 | $1,806 - $3,372 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,738 - $7,240 | $2,474 - $5,376 | $1,638 - $3,782 | $2,020 - $4,301 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,748 - $11,925 | $3,375 - $7,179 | $2,200 - $4,462 | $2,984 - $5,919 |
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 Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,718-mile relocation from Wilmington, Delaware, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,379 and $11,925. 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 $307 - $2,048, 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 Wilmington typically charge a base rate around $334 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,379 - $6,007
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,738 - $7,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,748 - $11,925
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 Wilmington to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Bakersfield, 80% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing97% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Bakersfield?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage 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 Wilmington, DE. 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 Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,888 and $7,179. 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 Wilmington costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,888 - $3,938
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,474 - $5,376
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,375 - $7,179
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Wilmington, DE, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $717, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $77 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $154 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Wilmington, DE, and Bakersfield, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware to California 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 $1,888. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,474 - $5,376, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington to Bakersfield?
- 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Move Crew LLC (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- Bayshore Transportation System, Inc. (4.5/5), 53 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Wilmington, Delaware, to Bakersfield, California, range from $1,592 - $4,462 for the 2,718-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $886 - $1,012
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Wilmington 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 Wilmington to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,592 - $3,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,638 - $3,782
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,462
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Wilmington to Bakersfield starts at $1,592 - $4,462, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($886 - $1,012) , overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $886 - $1,012 for the 2,718-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 Wilmington, Delaware, for about 5 hours typically costs around $717.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,718-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $154 per night, adding $307 - $461 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $51 and $307.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington to Bakersfield?
- 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 Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
For larger DIY moves from Wilmington, Delaware, 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 Bakersfield, California.
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 $2,020 and $4,301.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,806 - $3,372
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,020 - $4,301
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,984 - $5,919
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $77 - $154 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for about five hours typically runs $717.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Bakersfield?
- 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.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, 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 Wilmington to Bakersfield. 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: Wilmington, DE vs Bakersfield, CA
Wilmington and Bakersfield land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Wilmington and 100 in Bakersfield, and rent tracks closely too ($1,812/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (74 vs 37) and safety scores (32.68 vs 41.51) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 9 movers licensed in Delaware, useful context for sizing up this 2,718-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA, 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 $2,379 - $11,925 on the 2,718-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,888 - $7,179 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,592 - $4,462 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,738 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.
FAQs: Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA
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 do local movers charge in Wilmington?
Local movers based in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate, plus $150/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Bakersfield run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in Bakersfield?
For families, Seven Oaks, Northwest Bakersfield, and Southwest Bakersfield are worth a look in Bakersfield. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Bakersfield, The Oaks, and Westchester tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 74 and 52 in Wilmington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
