($1,036+) Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA ranges from $1,272 to $10,258, with an average cost of $3,800. Moves can be as low as $1,036 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,837 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
Moving options from Bakersfield to Lafayette fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,272 - $10,258 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,800, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 68% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,837 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,837-mile route from Bakersfield to Lafayette, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,272 - $4,909 | $1,426 - $2,981 | $1,089 - $2,057 | $1,324 - $2,607 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,368 - $7,003 | $2,019 - $3,817 | $1,088 - $2,302 | $1,475 - $3,340 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,730 - $10,258 | $2,547 - $5,294 | $1,516 - $2,936 | $2,080 - $4,064 |
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 Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
Full-service movers for the 1,837-mile relocation from Bakersfield, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,272 and $10,258. 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 $288 - $1,920, 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 Bakersfield typically charge a base rate around $420 plus $116 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,272 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,368 - $7,003
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,730 - $10,258
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 Bakersfield to Lafayette.
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 Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lafayette, 40% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $480 - $4,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $192 - $1,152/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $288 - $2,304 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $960 - $2,880 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,400 - $9,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $719 - $1,366 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $960 - $2,400 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $768 - $3,360 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $288 - $1,440 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $624 - $1,920 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $288 - $14,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $288 - $3,360+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Lafayette?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Bakersfield, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana, cost between $1,426 and $5,294. 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 Bakersfield typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Bakersfield to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,426 - $2,981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,019 - $3,817
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,547 - $5,294
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $144 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Lafayette, LA, 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 $672 in Bakersfield, CA. 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 California to Louisiana 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 $1,426. 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 $2,019 - $3,817.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Lafayette?
- 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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield:
- Meathead Movers (4.8/5), 23 years in business
- Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- PODS Moving & Storage
Moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
Plan on $1,089 - $2,936 for a rental moving truck on the 1,837-mile route from Bakersfield, California, to Lafayette, Louisiana. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $561 - $641
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Bakersfield daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Bakersfield to Lafayette based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $2,057
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,088 - $2,302
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,516 - $2,936
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Bakersfield to Lafayette starts at $1,089 - $2,936, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($561 - $641), overnight lodging ($144/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $72 and $336.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $144.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $561 and $641 for the 1,837-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $672 for 2 movers in Bakersfield, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Lafayette?
- 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 Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA
If you're moving a larger household from Bakersfield, California, 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 Lafayette, Louisiana.
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 $1,475 and $3,340.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Lafayette:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,324 - $2,607
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,475 - $3,340
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,080 - $4,064
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 $72 - $144 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for about five hours typically runs $672.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Lafayette?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Lafayette quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Lafayette, LA
Good news for your budget: Lafayette isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Bakersfield. Cost of living index runs 90 there against 100 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 37/100 and 41.51/100 here versus 42/100 and 54.25/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lafayette, LA to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Louisiana in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,837-mile route.
Our take
A move from Bakersfield, CA, to Lafayette, LA, 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 $1,272 - $10,258 on the 1,837-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,426 - $5,294, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,089 - $2,936. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,368 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 LHC Group and King-Patin.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Lafayette, LA
What are the best neighborhoods in Lafayette?
For families, Youngsville, Erath, and Maurice are worth a look in Lafayette. If you're moving solo or without kids, Saint Streets, Freetown-Port Rico, and Downtown Lafayette tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Lafayette?
Lafayette has a walkability score of 42 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 47, compared to 37 and 44 in Bakersfield. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Lafayette a safe place to live?
Lafayette has a safety index of 54.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 45.75, compared to 41.51 and 58.49 in Bakersfield. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA?
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 is the best time of year to move from Bakersfield, CA to Lafayette, LA?
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. Louisiana also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What percentage of Bakersfield movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.