($1,547+) Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,547 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,303 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,725 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 $2,367, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,303 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,965 - $7,249, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,547 - $4,123.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,550 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Philadelphia to Bakersfield: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,550 - $7,897. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 56% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,725-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,725-mile route from Philadelphia to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,367 - $5,873 | $1,965 - $3,598 | $1,547 - $2,969 | $1,717 - $3,370 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,550 - $7,897 | $2,474 - $5,318 | $1,577 - $3,674 | $2,058 - $4,172 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,099 - $11,303 | $3,514 - $7,249 | $2,035 - $4,123 | $2,838 - $5,574 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,725-mile relocation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,367 and $11,303. 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 Philadelphia typically charge a base rate around $282 plus $130 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,367 - $5,873
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,550 - $7,897
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,099 - $11,303
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 Philadelphia to Bakersfield.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Bakersfield, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Ramsey's Moving System | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Bakersfield?
Look for California Moving & Storage Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in California 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Philadelphia, PA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,965 and $7,249. 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 Philadelphia costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,965 - $3,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,474 - $5,318
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,514 - $7,249
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 Philadelphia, PA. 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 Pennsylvania 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 $1,965. 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 $2,474 - $5,318.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to Bakersfield?
- 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bakersfield, California, range from $1,547 - $4,123 for the 2,725-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $888 - $1,015
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $2,969
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,577 - $3,674
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,035 - $4,123
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Philadelphia to Bakersfield starts at $1,547 - $4,123, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($888 - $1,015), overnight lodging ($154/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 $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 $888 - $1,015 in fuel for the 2,725-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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to Bakersfield?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 $4,172.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,717 - $3,370
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,058 - $4,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,838 - $5,574
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?
- 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 $77 - $154 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about five hours typically runs $717.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Philadelphia to Bakersfield. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Bakersfield, CA
Day-to-day costs in Bakersfield are close to what you're used to in Philadelphia: cost of living index of 100 versus 104, with average rent of $1,695/mo compared to $1,695/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 75/100 and 33.91/100 in Philadelphia versus 37/100 and 41.51/100 in Bakersfield.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 235 movers in our Pennsylvania network to compare for this 2,725-mile move.
Our take
A move from Philadelphia, PA, to Bakersfield, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,367 - $11,303 on the 2,725-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,965 - $7,249, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,547 - $4,123. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,550 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Philadelphia, PA, to Bakersfield, CA
What are the best neighborhoods in Bakersfield?
For families, Seven Oaks, Northwest Bakersfield, and Southwest Bakersfield are worth a look in Bakersfield. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Bakersfield, The Oaks, and Westchester tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Philadelphia?
Local movers based in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $130/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 Bakersfield run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA 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.
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Bakersfield, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,547 to $11,303, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,367 and $11,303, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.