($956) Movers From Bakersfield to San Diego

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: May 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move 232 miles from Bakersfield to San Diego, California, ranges from $342 to $5,328. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best California movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Bakersfield guide.

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The best Bakersfield to San Diego moving companies

Moving between two of California's major cities requires expert hands. Bakersfield to San Diego moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

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(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

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(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

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(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
Hands-on customer service
24/7 support
Price-matching policy

read our full review

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(980) 217-6841

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(866) 825-0554

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

read our full review

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(866) 825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

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(866) 935-3437

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

read our full review

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(866) 935-3437

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

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(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

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(844) 950-2963

Best local Bakersfield-to-San Diego movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Bakersfield movers and the best San Diego movers.

Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
Hansen's Moving and Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Mentors Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Meathead Movers

2905 Unicorn Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (28%)
Efficient service (27%)
Good communication (26%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (22%)
Unexpected charges (20%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)

Review Analysis

Moving made easy, fast, and friendly – customer input on Meathead Movers highlights a standout experience for most. Out of 274 reviews, 88% feature glowing feedback about polite, professional teams, efficient moving, careful handling of valuables, fast processes, and clear communication. The company consistently impresses with staff who show respect, hustle, and skill, making stressful moves smoother for all ages and situations. A small number voiced problems like damage to items, inaccurate or changing estimates, and unexpected charges, suggesting some improvements needed in claims and quote reliability. Only a handful found service time or pricing higher than anticipated. Compared to most moving companies, feedback shows Meathead Movers delivers more dependability and customer focus than many competitors, with issues less widespread but not unnoticed.

Get a Quote (661) 335-6191

Company Info

State license #: 0189849

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 921143

Alternate Names: Meathead Packers

Meathead Movers has been a staple in Bakersfield, CA, for local residential moving services since 1998. Compared to other movers in the area, their standout feature is a comprehensive offering, including packing and unpacking services. With a combined average rating of over 4.0 on Yelp and Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their reputation for customer satisfaction is clear. Uniquely, they require no deposit and accept both cash and credit cards, making the moving process seamless and hassle-free for clients.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Storage
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Hansen's Moving and Storage

3501 Sillect Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (34%)
Efficient service (29%)
Careful handling (25%)

Customer Complaints

Unexpected charges (18%)
Damage to items (16%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)

Review Analysis

Moving made easy—that’s the message from 306 pieces of customer feedback for Hansen’s Moving and Storage. Nearly 92% of clients report positive experiences, far higher than is typical for moving companies. Staff earn high marks for being professional, polite, and careful with belongings, turning what is usually a stressful time into a smooth process. Many reviewers mention the team’s efficiency, speedy work, and excellent communication. Moves are often completed on time, without damage, and according to plan. Some note accurate estimates and flexible services, reinforcing the company’s reputation for reliability. On the downside, a small number of clients report problems with damaged items, surprise charges, and weak communication—issues not uncommon in the industry, but mentioned less frequently than with competitors. Compared to other movers, Hansen’s consistently receives superior praise for staff professionalism and care for property, helping it stand out in the market.

Get a Quote (661) 834-2411

Company Info

State license #: 0130609

Years in Business: 53

DOT #: 2728836

Hansen's Moving and Storage has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Bakersfield, CA since 1973. They stand out from other nearby movers with their comprehensive offerings, including office moving, packing, and unpacking services. Hansen's Moving and Storage earns high consumer praise, boasting an average rating of 4.1 on Yelp, 4.6 on Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient and reliable choice for local moves.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Storage
Pay by credit card

Mentors Moving & Storage

3101 Gilmore Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (40%)
Efficient service (38%)
Careful handling (36%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (24%)
Unexpected charges (18%)
Lack of communication (16%)

Review Analysis

Mentors Moving & Storage stands out for rapid, professional moves and careful attention to customers' belongings. Out of 239 feedback entries, 91% were positive, reflecting consistently polite crews who work efficiently while protecting valuables. Customers valued clear coordination, quick service, strong care during packing, and responsive communication. Negative input, accounting for 7.5% of feedback, highlighted concerns about damaged or lost items and occasional lack of resolution from management. A few cases reported missing possessions or poor handling. Most reviews emphasized better reliability and professionalism compared to typical moving services, but some experienced theft or unresolved breakage claims. Neutral input focused on minor billing inconveniences or preparation issues. People most often described Mentors as professional, efficient, careful, and communicative, with fast, worry-free moves that build customer trust. Minor gaps in complaint resolution and rare instances of damage or missing items remain notable but uncommon.

Get a Quote (661) 220-5155

Company Info

Years in Business: 17

DOT #: 2911596

Alternate Names: Smooth Move & Smooth Move USA, Excel Relocation Systems

Mentors Moving & Storage, established in 2007, specializes in local residential moving services around Bakersfield, CA. Their excellent reputation is reflected in a BBB rating of A+ and an impressive 4.7 average rating from 261 Google reviews, although their Yelp rating is a bit lower at 3.4 from 21 reviews. Unlike many nearby moving companies, they also offer packing, unpacking, and crating services, and can handle delicate items such as pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. They accept credit cards and require no deposit, making the moving process convenient and stress-free for their clients.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Grandfather clocks
Crating
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by credit card

How we chose the best moving companies in California

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield to San Diego?

Even though you're staying inside of California, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$956 - $3,343	$692 - $1,728	$330 - $555
2 - 3 bedrooms	$1,712 - $5,328	$1,219 - $2,366	$342 - $690
4+ bedrooms	$2,341 - $6,578	$1,736 - $2,828	$443 - $794

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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 232 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Considerations when moving from Bakersfield to San Diego

Cost of living: Bakersfield vs. San Diego

	Bakersfield	San Diego
Average rent cost	$1,695	$2,881
Average home value	$389,732	$1,003,444
Average income (per capita)	$73,827	$72,963
Cost of living (single person)	$2,493	$3,346
Cost of living (family of 4)	$6,940	$7,719
Unemployment rate	5.9%	6.6%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent prices in San Diego are 70% higher than in Bakersfield.
Home prices in San Diego are 157.5% higher than in Bakersfield.
Income in San Diego is 1.2% lower than in Bakersfield.
The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 34.2% higher than in Bakersfield.
The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 11.2% higher than in Bakersfield.
The unemployment rate in San Diego is 11.86% higher than in Bakersfield.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,026.47 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.

How life is different in Bakersfield vs. San Diego

	San Diego	Bakersfield
Population	1,386,932	909,235
Political leaning	Democratic 60-37	Republican 51-46
Summer high	79ºF	97ºF
Winter low	46ºF	38ºF
Annual rain	12"	7"
Annual snow	0"	0"
Crime index	39.83	58.49

Bakersfield sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, BestPlaces
San Diego sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

The population of San Diego is approximately 53% greater than the population of Bakersfield.
In the last presidential election, San Diego voted Democratic and Bakersfield voted Republican.
The average high in the summertime in San Diego is 79ºF and in Bakersfield, it’s 97ºF.
During the coldest part of the year, San Diego reaches the temperature of 46ºF and Bakersfield gets down to 38ºF.
You can expect about 12 inches of annual rainfall in San Diego vs 7 inches of rainfall in Bakersfield.
In San Diego, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in Bakersfield.
San Diego has a lower crime rate than Bakersfield with a crime index of 58.49 vs 39.83.

Things to do in San Diego

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, San Diego has plenty to offer:

Museums in San Diego

USS Midway Museum
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Maritime Museum of San Diego
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla
Stuart Collection
Africa and Beyond
Old Town Model Railroad Depot
RC Gorman Navajo Gallery
ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station
La Jolla Historical Society
Scripps Memorial Hospital Sculpture Parks
The New Children's Museum

Parks in San Diego

La Jolla Cove
Balboa Park
La Jolla Shores Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Cuvier Park - The Wedding Bowl
Scripps Institute of Oceanography Coastal Reserve
La Jolla Underwater Park
Coast Boulevard Park
Kellogg Park
Calumet Park
Waterfront Park
Friendship Park
Mission Trails Regional Park
Heritage County Park

Sports Teams in San Diego

San Diego Padres (MLB)
San Diego Gulls (AHL)
San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship)

Universities in San Diego

California State University-San Marcos
California Western School of Law
San Diego Christian College
National University
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego State University
University of California San Diego
University of Phoenix
University of San Diego
Alliant International University
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University
Brandman University
California College San Diego
John Paul the Great Catholic University

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Bakersfield to San Diego?

To ship furniture from Bakersfield to San Diego with a mover will cost between $956 and $3,343. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,712–$5,328, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Bakersfield to San Diego will cost from $2,341–$6,578.

How much are moving container companies from Bakersfield to San Diego?

Moving containers from Bakersfield to San Diego will cost you $692 to $1,728 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,219 to $2,366. A larger home will cost $1,736 to $2,828.

How much is a moving truck from Bakersfield to San Diego?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $330 to $555. A larger move will cost $342 to $690, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Bakersfield to San Diego costs from $443 to $794.

How far in advance should I book Bakersfield-to-San Diego movers?

Ideally, you should book your move from Bakersfield to San Diego at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Bakersfield-to-San Diego movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to San Diego?

The cheapest time of year to move to San Diego is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.