($1,801+) Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,767 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,168 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,736 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 $2,596, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $13,168 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,071 - $8,118, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,767 - $4,906.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,015 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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In the past 3 months we've processed over 366 quotes from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA, 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.
Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Chesapeake 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 $4,015 - $7,999. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,736-mile route from Chesapeake to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,596 - $6,254 | $2,071 - $3,986 | $1,767 - $3,191 | $1,961 - $3,587 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,015 - $7,999 | $2,714 - $5,722 | $1,914 - $3,918 | $2,126 - $4,438 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,098 - $13,168 | $3,974 - $8,118 | $2,395 - $4,906 | $2,963 - $6,177 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 18, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,736-mile relocation from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,596 and $13,168. 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.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,596 - $6,254
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,015 - $7,999
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,098 - $13,168
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 Chesapeake to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Add-ons and specialty services from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Most moves come with a few extras on top of the base price, and some items need a specialist instead of a standard crew. The table below lists what each add-on and specialty service runs from Chesapeake to Bakersfield. Prices are localized to Chesapeake costs.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost (Chesapeake to Bakersfield) |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | You want the crew to box everything | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | Your new place is not ready on arrival | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | A full-size truck cannot reach the door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | Coverage beyond the default $0.60/lb | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Shipments under about 2,000 lbs | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Moving a second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Climate control and white-glove handling | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Upright, baby grand, or grand | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly and professional re-leveling | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | 500 - 900 lb units with electrical disconnect | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled, vibration-safe transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or VIP concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Bakersfield?
- 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chesapeake, VA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,071 and $8,118. 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.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,071 - $3,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,714 - $5,722
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,974 - $8,118
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 Chesapeake, VA. 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 Virginia 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 $2,071. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,714 - $5,722, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Bakersfield?
- PODS (4.8/5 stars): PODS is best for nationwide coverage. It runs the widest service network of any container company, with secure month-to-month storage and steel-frame containers you load on your own schedule.
- Units Moving & Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units is best for locally owned service. Their steel containers come in multiple sizes that fit tight driveways, and locally owned branches mean you reach a live support team that knows your area.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 1-800-Pack-Rat is best for weatherproof storage. Their all-steel containers hold up well in transit and long storage windows, with flexible month-to-month terms when your move-in date slips.
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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 9 years in business
- Tidal Town Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,736-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,767 and $4,906, depending on truck size. You're responsible for loading your belongings at pickup, driving the full 2,736 miles yourself, and unloading at your destination. On top of the base rate, expect to pay for fuel ($891 - $1,019 for the drive), insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20).
Rental moving trucks typically range from 10 - 26 feet, with 15- to 17-foot trucks being the most commonly used for the average 2-bedroom move. Smaller trucks (10 - 12 feet) work well for studio apartments and 1-bedroom homes, while homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually require a 20- to 26-foot truck. Trucks 20 feet or larger generally need diesel fuel, which can drive up your total fuel costs.
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,767 - $3,191
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,914 - $3,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,395 - $4,906
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chesapeake to Bakersfield looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,767 - $4,906. But once you factor in fuel ($891 - $1,019) , overnight lodging ($154/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $154 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 $67 and $333 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $891 - $1,019 in fuel for the 2,736-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $717 in Chesapeake, Virginia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Bakersfield?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is our pick for best value rental. Lower advertised base rates than U-Haul or Penske, combined with AAA, military, and online booking discounts, make Budget the most affordable major rental option.
- Penske Truck Rental (4/5 stars): Penske Truck Rental is the most reliable rental on this list. Penske runs one of the youngest fleets in the industry (averaging under 2 years old) and includes 24/7 roadside support and unlimited mileage on long-distance moves.
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars): U-Haul Truck Rental is the best availability pick. U-Haul's 23,000+ locations and 7 truck sizes make it the easiest rental to book on short notice, especially for one-way and same-day moves.
Freight trailer costs from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $922 and $4,438.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,961 - $3,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,126 - $4,438
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,963 - $6,177
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Chesapeake, Virginia, 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 Chesapeake 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.
- Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chesapeake 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: Chesapeake, VA vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Chesapeake and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,800/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Chesapeake, VA guide.
Our take
The 2,736-mile move from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,596 and $13,168 with full-service movers, $2,071 - $8,118 with a moving container, and $1,767 - $4,906 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $4,015 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
How to plan your move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA
- Compare your moving service options: Decide which service fits your Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA move by comparing hands-off full-service pricing ($2,596 - $13,168) with lower-cost DIY container and truck options.
- Estimate your cost with the moving calculator: Get a tailored estimate for your move from Chesapeake to Bakersfield using the moving cost calculator before you start contacting movers.
- Review the top-rated movers for this route: Shortlist a few movers from our recommended picks for this route, weighing their moveBuddha ratings and the strengths called out in each review.
- Request free quotes: Reach out for free estimates from your top choices so you can compare actual costs, not just averages, before booking.
- Verify licensing with the FMCSA: Protect yourself by looking up the mover's registration and complaint history with the FMCSA before you sign anything.
- Book early and time your move: Schedule your move for the fall or winter when demand drops, and book ahead to secure the best price and date for this route.
FAQ
What is the best time to move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
For the best combination of price and availability, plan your move between October and March. Moving demand slows down considerably in the off-season, which typically means lower rates and more scheduling flexibility across all service types on this route.
Peak season (mid-May through mid-September) brings higher prices and tighter availability. If that's when you need to move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, booking early and choosing a midweek date away from the end of the month can help you avoid the worst of the price spikes.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
Renting a moving truck is the lowest-cost option for moving from Chesapeake to Bakersfield, with a 2-bedroom rental truck averaging $1,914 - $3,918 on this route. Browse our cheapest truck rental recommendations to compare base rates and find the right fit for your DIY move.
Just remember that fuel ($891 - $1,019), daily insurance ($31/day), equipment rentals ($7 - $20), and overnight lodging ($154/night) stack on top of the base rate. Add up the full picture before deciding it's the right move for your relocation from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California.
How much does it typically cost to move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
Moving costs on this route run anywhere from $2,596 - $13,168, depending on your home size and what kind of help you hire. A small apartment using a rental truck lands near the lower end, while a large home with full-service movers falls closer to the top.
Full-service movers for a move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, generally range from $2,596 - $13,168. DIY options like containers and trucks cost less upfront but come with additional expenses that can close the gap.
How long does a move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA take?
Most full-service and container moves on this route are completed within 5 - 7 days from pickup to delivery. That window reflects how carriers typically consolidate multiple shipments heading the same direction, which is what keeps costs reasonable.
If speed and a predictable delivery window are priorities, freight trailers are the fastest option on this route outside of driving a rental truck yourself. The tradeoff is that freight carriers expect you to be ready to receive your shipment quickly, so it's not the best fit if you need storage or your new place won't be ready right away.
If you're driving a rental truck from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, the timeline is entirely up to you. Just plan for drive time and any overnight stops along the way.
What should I know before moving from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
If you can trim 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, you can save approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route.
It also pays to get organized early. A thorough moving checklist keeps you on track with booking deadlines, packing timelines, and everything else that needs to happen before the truck pulls up.
