($769+) Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT ranges from $1,150 to $8,691, with an average cost of $3,300. Moves can be as low as $769 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,250 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.
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Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT
Moving options from Bakersfield to Billings fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,150 - $8,691 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,300, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,250 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 1,250-mile route from Bakersfield to Billings, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,150 - $4,854 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,257 - $2,266), rental truck ($769 - $1,453), or freight trailer ($1,143 - $2,039). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,710 - $6,062 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,691.
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 Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT
Full-service movers for the 1,250-mile relocation from Bakersfield, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,150 and $8,691. 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 $294 - $1,960, 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 Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,150 - $4,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,710 - $6,062
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,592 - $8,691
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 Bakersfield to Billings.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Billings, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $490 - $4,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $196 - $1,176/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $294 - $2,352 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $980 - $2,940 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,450 - $9,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $734 - $1,395 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $980 - $2,450 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $784 - $3,430 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $294 - $1,470 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $637 - $1,960 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $294 - $14,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $294 - $3,430+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Billings?
- 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Bakersfield, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Bakersfield, CA to Billings, MT
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Billings, Montana, cost between $1,257 and $4,191. 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 Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,685 - $3,094
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,173 - $4,191
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $74 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $147 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 $686 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 Billings, MT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,257. 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 $1,685 - $3,094.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Billings?
- 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 Billings, MT
A rental truck for this 1,250-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Billings, Montana, costs between $769 and $2,151. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $390 - $445
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Billings based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $769 - $1,453
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $864 - $1,816
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,056 - $2,151
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Bakersfield to Billings starts at $769 - $2,151, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($390 - $445), overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $147 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 $64 and $319 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $390 - $445 in fuel for the 1,250-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $686 in Bakersfield, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Billings?
- 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 Billings, MT
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 Billings, Montana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,309 and $2,737.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Billings:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,143 - $2,039
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,309 - $2,737
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,739 - $3,422
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $74 - $147 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for about five hours typically runs $686.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Billings?
- 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: 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 Billings 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 Billings, MT
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Bakersfield and Billings to plan around. Cost of living index: 100 vs. 95. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,300/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 37 vs. 35. Safety index: 41.51 vs. 50.37.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Billings, MT to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 1 real quote from California to Montana, 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 1,154 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 1,250-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Bakersfield, CA, to Billings, MT, 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 $1,150 - $8,691 on the 1,250-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,257 - $4,191 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $769 - $2,151 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,710 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 Billings Clinic and First Interstate BancSystem.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Billings, MT
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 do local movers charge in Bakersfield?
Local movers based in Bakersfield typically start around $420 as a base rate, plus $116/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 Billings run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
What are the best neighborhoods in Billings?
For families, Josephine Crossing, West End, and Heights are worth a look in Billings. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Billings, South Park, and Poly Vista tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Billings?
Billings has a walkability score of 35 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, 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 43% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.