($1,026+) Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO ranges from $1,222 to $10,880, with an average cost of $3,800. Moves can be as low as $1,026 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,841 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 St. Louis, MO
Moving options from Bakersfield to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,222 - $10,880 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 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,841 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 1,841-mile route from Bakersfield to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,222 - $5,323, container $1,547 - $2,839, rental truck $1,110 - $1,955, freight trailer $1,405 - $2,632.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,304 - $7,074, container $2,038 - $4,136, rental truck $1,088 - $2,302, freight trailer $1,553 - $3,245.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,967 - $10,880, container $2,521 - $5,080, rental truck $1,472 - $3,084, freight trailer $2,037 - $4,278.
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 St. Louis, MO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,841-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, with costs ranging from $1,222 - $10,880. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $281 - $1,872. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Bakersfield and St. Louis. Local movers in Bakersfield typically start around $420 as a base rate plus $116/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,222 - $5,323
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,304 - $7,074
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,967 - $10,880
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 St. Louis.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $468 - $4,680 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $187 - $1,123/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $281 - $2,246 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $936 - $2,808 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,340 - $9,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $701 - $1,332 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $936 - $2,340 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $749 - $3,276 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $281 - $1,404 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $608 - $1,872 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $281 - $14,040+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $281 - $3,276+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Bakersfield, CA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $1,547 and $5,080. 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 St. Louis. If you go over that window, storage in Bakersfield adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Bakersfield to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $2,839
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,038 - $4,136
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,521 - $5,080
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $70 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $140 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in St. Louis, MO, 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 $655 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 Missouri 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 $1,547. 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 $2,038 - $4,136.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to St. Louis?
- 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 St. Louis, MO
A rental truck for this 1,841-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $1,110 and $3,084. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $548 - $627
- Daily insurance: $28/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 St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $1,955
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,088 - $2,302
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,472 - $3,084
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,110 - $3,084 when pricing out a rental truck from Bakersfield to St. Louis. Fuel alone runs $548 - $627, and overnight lodging ($140/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $140 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 $61 and $304 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $548 - $627 in fuel for the 1,841-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $655 in Bakersfield, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to St. Louis?
- 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 St. Louis, MO
For larger DIY moves from Bakersfield, California, 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 St. Louis, Missouri.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,553 and $3,245.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $2,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,553 - $3,245
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,037 - $4,278
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 $70 - $140 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for about five hours typically runs $655.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in St. Louis 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: Bakersfield, CA vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Bakersfield on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Bakersfield, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $345,317 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $77,397/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 41.51/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 St. Louis, MO to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Missouri, 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. California alone has 1,154 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,841-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Bakersfield, CA, to St. Louis, MO, 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 $1,222 - $10,880 on the 1,841-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,547 - $5,080 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,110 - $3,084 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,304 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to St. Louis, MO
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
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 St. Louis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $1,026 to $10,880, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,222 and $10,880, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Bakersfield, CA to St. Louis, MO?
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 $1,088 - $2,302. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.