($1,805+) Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA

The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA ranges from $1,495 to $14,019, with an average cost of $5,250. Moves can be as low as $1,805 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,998 miles and usually takes 7 to 21 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA

Moving options from Bakersfield to Boston fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,495 - $14,019 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $5,250, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,998 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,998-mile route from Bakersfield to Boston, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,495 - $7,135, container $2,006 - $3,874, rental truck $1,719 - $3,369, freight trailer $1,939 - $3,817.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $4,507 - $8,868, container $2,767 - $5,683, rental truck $1,881 - $3,812, freight trailer $2,147 - $4,776.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $8,478 - $14,019, container $3,785 - $7,846, rental truck $2,235 - $4,925, freight trailer $3,028 - $6,089.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA

Full-service movers for the 2,998-mile relocation from Bakersfield, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $1,495 and $14,019. 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 $361 - $2,408, 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 Boston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,495 - $7,135
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,507 - $8,868
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,478 - $14,019

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 Boston.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Massachusetts. 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.

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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA

Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Boston, 96% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$602 - $6,020
Storage in transitNew place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers$241 - $1,445/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$361 - $2,890
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs$1,204 - $3,612
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,010 - $12,040
Car shippingSecond vehicle$902 - $1,713
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$1,204 - $3,010
PianoAny piano type40% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$963 - $4,214
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers$361 - $1,806
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$783 - $2,408
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$361 - $18,060+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$361 - $4,214+

What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Boston?

All three below meet the standards set by the Massachusetts Movers Association, the group most Massachusetts movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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 Boston, MA

Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, cost between $2,006 and $7,846. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Bakersfield runs about $90/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Bakersfield to Boston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,006 - $3,874
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,767 - $5,683
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,785 - $7,846

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 Bakersfield, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $843, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $181 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Bakersfield, CA, and Boston, MA, 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 California to Massachusetts 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 $2,006. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,767 - $5,683, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Boston?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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:

  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 20 years in business
  • US Pro Logistics (4.8/5), 4 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA

Truck rentals from Bakersfield, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, range from $1,719 - $4,925 for the 2,998-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,149 - $1,313
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Bakersfield daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Bakersfield to Boston based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,719 - $3,369
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,881 - $3,812
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,235 - $4,925

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Bakersfield to Boston starts at $1,719 - $4,925, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,149 - $1,313) , overnight lodging ($181/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?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Bakersfield, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $843.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,149 - $1,313 for the 2,998-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $72 and $391, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $181 per night for hotel stops on the 2,998-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $361 - $542.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Boston?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boston, MA

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Bakersfield, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $2,147 and $4,776.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Boston:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,939 - $3,817
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,147 - $4,776
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,028 - $6,089

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?

  • More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $90 - $181 to your final bill.
  • Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
  • Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Bakersfield, California, typically costs $843.

What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Boston?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. 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 Bakersfield to Boston. 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: Bakersfield, CA vs Boston, MA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Boston, side by side with Bakersfield on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Bakersfield, CA Boston, MA
Cost of living index100151
Average rent$1,695/mo$3,400/mo
Median home value$345,317$710,400
Average income$77,397/yr$94,755/yr
Unemployment rate5.9%6.2%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 9.0%
Walkability score37/10098/100
Safety index41.51/10060.12/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA guide.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,998-mile route from Bakersfield, CA, to Boston, MA, run $1,495 - $14,019 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $2,006 - $7,846, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,719 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,507, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include General Electric and Fidelity Investments.

FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Boston, MA

What do local movers charge in Bakersfield?

Local movers based in Bakersfield typically start around $420 as a base rate, plus $116/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 Boston run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA 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 are the best neighborhoods in Boston?

For families, Charlestown, East Boston, and Hyde Park are worth a look in Boston. If you're moving solo or without kids, Allston-Brighton, Back Bay-Beacon Hill, and East Boston tend to be popular picks instead.

What is the cheapest way to move from Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA?

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 $1,881 - $3,812. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

Is Boston a safe place to live?

Boston has a safety index of 60.12 out of 100 and a crime index of 39.88, 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 percentage of Bakersfield movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 40% of movers in Bakersfield handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.