($1,088+) Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Fargo, ND, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,088 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,342 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,814 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,769, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,342 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,565 - $5,091, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,088 - $2,989.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fargo, ND, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,561 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 Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Fargo 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 $3,561 - $8,532. Containers cost roughly 46% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 67% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,814 miles, expect 5 to 16 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,814-mile route from Fargo to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,769 - $6,369 | $1,565 - $2,874 | $1,088 - $2,013 | $1,329 - $2,435 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,561 - $8,532 | $1,907 - $4,142 | $1,188 - $2,395 | $1,510 - $3,251 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,541 - $12,342 | $2,581 - $5,091 | $1,441 - $2,989 | $2,128 - $4,285 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,814-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, with costs ranging from $2,769 - $12,342. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $284 - $1,892. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Fargo and Bakersfield. Local movers in Fargo typically start around $264 as a base rate plus $99/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fargo to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,769 - $6,369
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,561 - $8,532
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,541 - $12,342
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 Fargo 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 Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Fargo 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 packing67% of local movers | $473 - $4,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready40% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $189 - $1,135/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,270 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $946 - $2,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,365 - $9,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $709 - $1,346 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% nationallyTop pick: Wrap & Pack Moving Company (ND) | $946 - $2,365 |
| Piano | Any piano type27% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $757 - $3,311 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $284 - $1,419 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Jobbers Moving & Storage | $615 - $1,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,311+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fargo to Bakersfield?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Fargo, ND. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,565 and $5,091. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Fargo typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fargo to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,565 - $2,874
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,907 - $4,142
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,581 - $5,091
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $71 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $142 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 $662 in Fargo, ND, 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 North Dakota 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 $1,565. 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 $1,907 - $4,142.
What are the best moving containers Fargo 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 Fargo 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 Fargo:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 24 years in business
- 5 Star Moving (4.3/5), 23 years in business
- His Workmanship - Fargo
Moving truck rental costs from Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,814-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,088 and $2,989, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $546 - $624
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Fargo daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Fargo to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,088 - $2,013
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,188 - $2,395
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,441 - $2,989
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Fargo to Bakersfield starts at $1,088 - $2,989, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($546 - $624), overnight lodging ($142/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $142 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 Fargo, North Dakota, usually costs about $662 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,814-mile drive falls between $546 and $624, 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 $47 and $284 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo 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 Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Fargo, North Dakota, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Bakersfield, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,510 and $3,251.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fargo to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,329 - $2,435
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,251
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,128 - $4,285
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 Fargo, North Dakota, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $662.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $71 - $142 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 Fargo to Bakersfield?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Fargo 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: Fargo, ND vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Fargo and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,055/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 37. Safety index: 56.17 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Fargo, ND guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Dakota 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. North Dakota alone has 26 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,814-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fargo, ND, 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 $2,769 - $12,342 on the 1,814-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,565 - $5,091 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,088 - $2,989 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,561 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 Fargo, ND, to Bakersfield, CA
How long does a move from Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,188 - $2,395. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 56.17 and 8.0 in Fargo. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Fargo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 27% of movers in Fargo handle piano moves, compared to 41% nationally.