($1,546+) Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,546 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,691 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,337, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,691 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,912 - $6,633, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,546 - $4,041.
- 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 $3,383 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 is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $3,383 - $7,044. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 55% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,718 miles, expect 7 to 21 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,337 for a studio up to $10,691 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,912 - $6,633 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,546 - $4,041, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,754 - $5,749, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,718-mile move from Wilmington, Delaware, to Bakersfield, California, with costs ranging from $2,337 - $10,691. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $307 - $2,048. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Wilmington and Bakersfield. Local movers in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,337 - $5,339
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,383 - $7,044
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,967 - $10,691
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.
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 Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Wilmington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Bakersfield, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% 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 coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% 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 items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
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 $1,912 and $6,633. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Wilmington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,912 - $3,678
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,382 - $4,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,250 - $6,633
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $154 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Bakersfield, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $717 in Wilmington, DE. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,912. 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 $2,382 - $4,918.
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), 9 years in business
- All Around Moverz (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Forward Moving LLC (4.9/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA
Plan on $1,546 - $4,041 for a rental moving truck on the 2,718-mile route from Wilmington, Delaware, to Bakersfield, California. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $1,546 - $2,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,529 - $3,464
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,136 - $4,041
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,546 - $4,041 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Wilmington to Bakersfield. Fuel ($886 - $1,012), lodging at around $154/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $77 and $358.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $154.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $886 and $1,012 for the 2,718-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $717 for 2 movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Wilmington, Delaware, 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 Bakersfield, California.
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 $1,944 and $4,097.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,754 - $3,213
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,944 - $4,097
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,680 - $5,749
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $717.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $77 and $154 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Wilmington to Bakersfield, 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: Wilmington, DE vs Bakersfield, CA
Day-to-day costs in Bakersfield are close to what you're used to in Wilmington: cost of living index of 100 versus 104, with average rent of $1,695/mo compared to $1,812/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 74/100 and 32.68/100 in Wilmington versus 37/100 and 41.51/100 in Bakersfield.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to California 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 17 movers in our Delaware network to compare for this 2,718-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,718-mile route from Wilmington, DE, to Bakersfield, CA, run $2,337 - $10,691 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,912 - $6,633, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,546 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,383, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Bakersfield a safe place to live?
Bakersfield has a safety index of 41.51 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.49, compared to 32.68 and 67.32 in Wilmington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,529 - $3,464. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Wilmington, DE to Bakersfield, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.