($1,487+) Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,456 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,958 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 $2,484, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,958 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,869 - $6,686, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,456 - $4,252.
  • 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 $3,770 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving options from Chesapeake to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,770 - $7,146 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,736-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.

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:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,484 - $5,586 with full-service movers, $1,869 - $3,525 with a container, $1,456 - $2,969 with a rental truck, or $1,734 - $3,139 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,770 - $7,146 full-service, $2,597 - $5,111 by container, $1,627 - $3,639 by rental truck, or $1,939 - $4,130 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,160 - $10,958 full-service, $3,241 - $6,686 by container, $2,056 - $4,252 by rental truck, or $2,620 - $5,856 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

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 $2,484 and $10,958. 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 Chesapeake typically charge a base rate around $290 plus $125 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,484 - $5,586
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,770 - $7,146
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,160 - $10,958

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: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Chesapeake 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$512 - $5,120
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$205 - $1,229/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$307 - $2,458
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers$1,024 - $3,072
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,560 - $10,240
Car shippingSecond vehicle$767 - $1,457
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items48% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Tidal Town Moving$1,024 - $2,560
PianoAny piano type81% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$819 - $3,584
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$307 - $1,536
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect24% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Apple Moving $666 - $2,048
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$307 - $15,360+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$307 - $3,584+

What are the best full-service movers from Chesapeake to Bakersfield?

All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chesapeake, VA. 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 Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving containers from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,869 and $6,686. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Chesapeake runs about $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,869 - $3,525
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,597 - $5,111
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,241 - $6,686

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $717 in Chesapeake, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $77 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $154 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Bakersfield, CA, destination before booking.

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 $1,869. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,597 - $5,111, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chesapeake to Bakersfield?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 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

A rental truck for this 2,736-mile move from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,456 and $4,252. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $891 - $1,019
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Chesapeake daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chesapeake to Bakersfield based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,456 - $2,969
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,627 - $3,639
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,056 - $4,252

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chesapeake to Bakersfield starts at $1,456 - $4,252, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($891 - $1,019) , 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?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chesapeake, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $717.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $891 - $1,019 for the 2,736-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $61 and $333, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $154 per night for hotel stops on the 2,736-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $307 - $461.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chesapeake to Bakersfield?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chesapeake, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,939 and $4,130.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chesapeake to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,734 - $3,139
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,939 - $4,130
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,620 - $5,856

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chesapeake, Virginia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $717.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $154 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 Chesapeake to Bakersfield?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Chesapeake, VA vs Bakersfield, CA

Chesapeake and Bakersfield land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 104 in Chesapeake and 100 in Bakersfield, and rent tracks closely too ($1,800/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (21 vs 37) and safety scores (70.88 vs 41.51) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Chesapeake, VA guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 2,736-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,484 for a studio to $10,958 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,736-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,869 - $6,686. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,456 - $4,252, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,770 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.

FAQs: Moving from Chesapeake, VA, to Bakersfield, CA

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($891 - $1,019), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $154/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

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 is the best time of year to move from Chesapeake, VA to Bakersfield, CA?

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. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

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.

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 70.88 and 25.0 in Chesapeake. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What percentage of Chesapeake movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 81% of movers in Chesapeake handle piano moves, and 48% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.