($1,669+) Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA ranges from $1,356 to $12,833, with an average cost of $4,700. Moves can be as low as $1,669 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,725 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Bakersfield to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,356 - $12,833 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,700, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 2,725 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,725-mile route from Bakersfield to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,356 for a studio up to $12,833 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,919 - $7,668 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,637 - $4,319, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,871 - $5,781, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Hiring full-service movers from Bakersfield, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,356 and $12,833. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,725-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $305 - $2,032, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Bakersfield and Philadelphia. For a rough baseline, movers based in Bakersfield tend to start around $420 plus $116/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,356 - $6,529
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,156 - $8,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $8,047 - $12,833
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 Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Pennsylvania. 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.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $508 - $5,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $203 - $1,219/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,438 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs | $1,016 - $3,048 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,540 - $10,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $761 - $1,446 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $1,016 - $2,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $813 - $3,556 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $305 - $1,524 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $660 - $2,032 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,556+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Philadelphia?
Look for Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Pennsylvania beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Bakersfield, CA. 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 Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,919 and $7,668. 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 Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,919 - $3,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,618 - $5,571
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,395 - $7,668
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Bakersfield, CA and Philadelphia, PA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $711 in Bakersfield, CA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $76 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $152 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Pennsylvania 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 $1,919. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,618 - $5,571, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Philadelphia?
- 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:
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 20 years in business
- US Pro Logistics (4.8/5), 4 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,725-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $1,637 and $4,319, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $881 - $1,007
- Daily insurance: $30/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 Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,637 - $3,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,704 - $3,813
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,241 - $4,319
Pro tip: A rental truck from Bakersfield to Philadelphia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,637 - $4,319. But once you factor in fuel ($881 - $1,007) , overnight lodging ($152/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $76 and $356.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $152.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $881 and $1,007 for the 2,725-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 $711 for 2 movers in Bakersfield, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Philadelphia?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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 $2,156 and $4,284.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,871 - $3,288
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,156 - $4,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,888 - $5,781
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $76 - $152 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Bakersfield, California, typically costs $711.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Philadelphia?
- 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.
- Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sidhu Truck Line, 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Philadelphia fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA
Good news for your budget: Philadelphia isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Bakersfield. Cost of living index runs 104 there against 100 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 37/100 and 41.51/100 here versus 75/100 and 33.91/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Pennsylvania, 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 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,725-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,725-mile route from Bakersfield, CA, to Philadelphia, PA, run $1,356 - $12,833 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,919 - $7,668, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,637 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,156, 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 Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Philadelphia, PA
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a walkability score of 75 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 67, 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.
Is Philadelphia a safe place to live?
Philadelphia has a safety index of 33.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.09, compared to 41.51 and 58.49 in Bakersfield. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA?
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 percentage of Bakersfield movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.