($426+) Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $443 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,364 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 492 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 $1,269, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,364 or more.
- Moving containers run $943 - $3,208, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $443 - $1,124.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,006 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Scottsdale 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 $2,006 - $5,607. 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 492-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 492-mile route from Scottsdale to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,269 - $4,165 | $943 - $1,793 | $443 - $794 | $919 - $1,614 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,006 - $5,607 | $1,283 - $2,499 | $468 - $924 | $1,057 - $1,921 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,578 - $8,364 | $1,723 - $3,208 | $576 - $1,124 | $1,352 - $2,516 |
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 Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 492-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, with costs ranging from $1,269 - $8,364. 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 Scottsdale and Bakersfield. Local movers in Scottsdale typically start around $155 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,269 - $4,165
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,006 - $5,607
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,578 - $8,364
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 Scottsdale 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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.
Specialty moving services from Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Scottsdale 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: Camelback Moving | $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 Scottsdale 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Scottsdale, AZ?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Scottsdale to Bakersfield with a local mover averages $2,086 - $5,831. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $943 and $3,208. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Scottsdale typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $943 - $1,793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,283 - $2,499
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,723 - $3,208
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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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 $1,283 - $2,499, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
A rental truck for this 492-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $443 and $1,124. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $169 - $193
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $443 - $794
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $468 - $924
- 4+ bedrooms: $576 - $1,124
Pro tip: A rental truck from Scottsdale to Bakersfield looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $443 - $1,124. But once you factor in fuel ($169 - $193) , overnight lodging ($162/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $162 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 $70 and $350 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $169 - $193 in fuel for the 492-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $755 in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
For larger DIY moves from Scottsdale, Arizona, 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 Bakersfield, California.
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 $1,057 and $1,921.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $919 - $1,614
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,057 - $1,921
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,352 - $2,516
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $81 - $162 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $755.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale 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.
- Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Scottsdale 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: Scottsdale, AZ vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Scottsdale and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 100. Average rent: $3,300/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 32 vs. 37. Safety index: 74.2 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to California, 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 97 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up this 492-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $1,269 - $8,364 on the 492-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $943 - $3,208 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $443 - $1,124 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,006 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 Scottsdale, AZ, to Bakersfield, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Scottsdale, AZ 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 $468 - $924. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 Scottsdale, 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 do local movers charge in Scottsdale?
Local movers based in Scottsdale typically start around $155 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Scottsdale, 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.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
