($434+) Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $409 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,801 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 499 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,306, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,801 or more.
- Moving containers run $943 - $3,239, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $409 - $1,158.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Mesa, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,111 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 Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Mesa 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 $2,111 - $5,172. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 499-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 499-mile route from Mesa to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,306 - $3,887 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($943 - $1,793), rental truck ($409 - $794), or freight trailer ($884 - $1,646). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,111 - $5,172 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,801.
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 Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 499-mile move from Mesa, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, with costs ranging from $1,306 - $7,801. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $323 - $2,156. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Mesa and Bakersfield. Local movers in Mesa typically start around $175 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Mesa to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,306 - $3,887
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,111 - $5,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,615 - $7,801
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 Mesa to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Mesa 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 packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $216 - $1,294/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $323 - $2,587 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,078 - $3,234 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,695 - $10,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $807 - $1,534 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $701 - $2,156 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $323 - $16,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $323 - $3,773+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Mesa to Bakersfield?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Mesa, AZ?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Mesa to Bakersfield with a local mover averages $2,174 - $5,327. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Mesa, AZ often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.22/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Mesa, based on our analysis of feedback from 144 customers, 83.3% of which is positive.
Address: 5335 North 55th Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85031 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Mesa, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $943 and $3,239. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Bakersfield. If you go over that window, storage in Mesa adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Mesa to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $943 - $1,793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,673 - $3,239
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Mesa, AZ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $755, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $81 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $162 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Mesa, AZ, and Bakersfield, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $943. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,232 - $2,547, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Mesa 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 Mesa 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 Mesa:
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Mesa, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, range from $409 - $1,158 for the 499-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $171 - $196
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Mesa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Mesa to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $409 - $794
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $436 - $933
- 4+ bedrooms: $588 - $1,158
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Mesa to Bakersfield starts at $409 - $1,158, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($171 - $196) , overnight lodging ($162/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $171 - $196 for the 499-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Mesa, Arizona, for about 5 hours typically costs around $755.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 499-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $162 per night, adding $323 - $485 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $54 and $323.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Mesa 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 Mesa, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Mesa, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $987 and $1,843.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Mesa to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $884 - $1,646
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $987 - $1,843
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,392 - $2,417
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Mesa, Arizona, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $755.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $81 - $162 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 Mesa to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Bakersfield 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: Mesa, AZ vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Mesa and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,786/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 38 vs. 37. Safety index: 55.33 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Mesa, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona 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. Arizona alone has 97 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 499-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 499-mile move from Mesa, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $1,306 and $7,801 with full-service movers, $943 - $3,239 with a moving container, and $409 - $1,158 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,111 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Mesa, AZ, 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 ($171 - $196), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $162/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Mesa, AZ 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 Mesa, AZ 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 Mesa, AZ 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 55.33 and 44.67 in Mesa. 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 Mesa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Mesa handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
