($1,083+) Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD ranges from $1,346 to $10,731, with an average cost of $3,750. Moves can be as low as $1,083 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,654 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Moving options from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,346 - $10,731 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,750, 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 1,654 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,654-mile route from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,346 - $5,662 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,452 - $2,991), rental truck ($1,042 - $1,940), or freight trailer ($1,334 - $2,512). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,176 - $7,255 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,731.
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 Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,654-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with costs ranging from $1,346 - $10,731. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $289 - $1,928. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Bakersfield and Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,346 - $5,662
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,176 - $7,255
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,561 - $10,731
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 Sioux Falls.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to South Dakota. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sioux Falls, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $482 - $4,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $193 - $1,157/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,314 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage20% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs | $964 - $2,892 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,410 - $9,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $722 - $1,372 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $964 - $2,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $771 - $3,374 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $289 - $1,446 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect20% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $627 - $1,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,374+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls?
All three below meet the standards set by the South Dakota Trucking Association, the group most South Dakota movers are affiliated with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, cost between $1,452 and $5,552. 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 Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,452 - $2,991
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,915 - $3,785
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,586 - $5,552
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $675 in Bakersfield, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $145 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Sioux Falls, SD, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to South Dakota 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 $1,452. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,915 - $3,785, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Sioux Falls?
- 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:
- 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Plan on $1,042 - $3,025 for a rental moving truck on the 1,654-mile route from Bakersfield, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $507 - $580
- 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 Sioux Falls based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,116 - $2,379
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,419 - $3,025
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,042 - $3,025 does not include fuel ($507 - $580) , lodging ($145/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $675.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $507 - $580 for the 1,654-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 $58 and $313, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night for hotel stops on the 1,654-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $289 - $434.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls?
- 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Bakersfield, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 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 $1,641 and $3,028.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,334 - $2,512
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,641 - $3,028
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,154 - $4,100
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $72 and $145.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for roughly five hours typically average $675.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sidhu Truck Line, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Bakersfield to Sioux Falls, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Bakersfield, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Bakersfield and Sioux Falls to plan around. Cost of living index: 100 vs. 91. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,100/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 37 vs. 38. Safety index: 41.51 vs. 57.17.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to South Dakota 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 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,654-mile route.
Our take
A move from Bakersfield, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD, 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 $1,346 - $10,731 on the 1,654-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,452 - $5,552, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,042 - $3,025. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,176 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 Sanford Health and Avera Health.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Sioux Falls, SD
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 3 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 Sioux Falls, SD?
Costs on this route range from around $1,346 to $10,731, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,346 and $10,731, 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 Sioux Falls, SD?
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 $1,116 - $2,379. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($507 - $580), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $145/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD 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 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.
