($1,036+) McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Moving from McAllen, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,089 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,110 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,702 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,382, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,110 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,520 - $5,270, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,089 - $3,075.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McAllen, TX, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,122 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Moving options from McAllen to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,122 - $6,959 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 1,702-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,702-mile route from McAllen to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,382 - $5,580 $1,520 - $3,040 $1,089 - $1,930 $1,341 - $2,580
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,122 - $6,959 $1,964 - $3,889 $1,110 - $2,490 $1,556 - $3,370
4+ bedrooms $5,732 - $11,110 $2,599 - $5,270 $1,398 - $3,075 $2,058 - $4,390

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
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
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 McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Full-service movers for the 1,702-mile relocation from McAllen, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,382 and $11,110. 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 $257 - $1,712, 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 McAllen typically charge a base rate around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,382 - $5,580
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,122 - $6,959
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,732 - $11,110

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 McAllen to Bakersfield.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 57% of McAllen 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 packing71% of local movers$428 - $4,280
Storage in transitNew place not ready57% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$171 - $1,027/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$257 - $2,054
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers$856 - $2,568
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,140 - $8,560
Car shippingSecond vehicle$641 - $1,218
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Rick's Moving & Storage LLC$856 - $2,140
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.$685 - $2,996
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling57% of local movers$257 - $1,284
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: $556 - $1,712
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$257 - $12,840+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$257 - $2,996+

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

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

Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,520 and $5,270. 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 McAllen runs about $55/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,520 - $3,040
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,964 - $3,889
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,599 - $5,270

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $64 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $128 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 $599 in McAllen, TX, 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 Bakersfield, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,520. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,964 - $3,889, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers McAllen 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 McAllen 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 McAllen:

  • Groves Moving and Storage (3.5/5), 27 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 1,702-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,089 and $3,075, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $464 - $530
  • Daily insurance: $26/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
  • McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69
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 McAllen to Bakersfield based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $1,930
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,110 - $2,490
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,398 - $3,075

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,089 - $3,075 does not include fuel ($464 - $530) , lodging ($128/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from McAllen to Bakersfield typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $128 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in McAllen, Texas, usually costs about $599 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 1,702-mile drive falls between $464 and $530, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $43 and $257 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen 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 McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McAllen, Texas, 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 $1,556 and $3,370.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,341 - $2,580
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,556 - $3,370
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,058 - $4,390

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?

  • 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 $64 - $128 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 McAllen, Texas, typically costs $599.

What are the best freight companies from McAllen to Bakersfield?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Royal Freight Lp (4.66/5 stars): Royal Freight Lp is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

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: McAllen, TX vs Bakersfield, CA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Bakersfield, side by side with McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure McAllen, TX Bakersfield, CA
Cost of living index76100
Average rent$1,350/mo$1,695/mo
Median home value$173,919$345,317
Average income$60,165/yr$77,397/yr
Unemployment rate7.9%5.9%
State income taxNoneUp to 13.3%
Walkability score41/10037/100
Safety index63.74/10041.51/100
Air qualityModerateGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

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

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas to California, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 289 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,702-mile move like this one.

30%+
Save 30%+
Comparing movers before booking saves moveBuddha users more than 30% on average.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Choose a moveBuddha Certified mover for added coverage plus dedicated support.
Dispute mediation
We provide dispute mediation if something goes wrong with a Certified mover.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, 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 $2,382 - $11,110 on the 1,702-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,520 - $5,270 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,089 - $3,075 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,122 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 Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.

FAQs: Moving from McAllen, TX, to Bakersfield, CA

How long does a move from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 is the best time of year to move from McAllen, TX 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from McAllen, TX to Bakersfield, CA?

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.

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 63.74 and 36.26 in McAllen. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

How walkable is Bakersfield?

Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 41 and 46 in McAllen. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

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

About 71% of movers in McAllen handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.