($680+) Bakersfield, CA to Tacoma, WA Movers
The cost to move from Bakersfield, CA to Tacoma, WA ranges from $1,199 to $8,156, with an average cost of $3,000. Moves can be as low as $680 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,000 miles and usually takes 2 to 8 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving options from Bakersfield to Tacoma fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,199 - $8,156 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,000, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,000 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,000-mile route from Bakersfield to Tacoma, 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 $1,199 - $4,548 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,092 - $2,182), rental truck ($674 - $1,267), or freight trailer ($1,045 - $1,810). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,394 - $6,104 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,156.
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 Tacoma, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,000-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Tacoma, Washington, with prices running from $1,199 - $8,156. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $328 - $2,184 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Bakersfield and Tacoma are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Bakersfield movers tend to run around $420 as a base rate plus $116/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Bakersfield to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,199 - $4,548
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,394 - $6,104
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,045 - $8,156
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 Tacoma.
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 Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Bakersfield movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $546 - $5,460 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready71% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $218 - $1,310/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $328 - $2,621 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $1,092 - $3,276 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,730 - $10,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $818 - $1,554 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $1,092 - $2,730 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Express Moving & Storage | $874 - $3,822 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $328 - $1,638 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $710 - $2,184 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $328 - $16,380+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $328 - $3,822+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Bakersfield to Tacoma?
Washington Movers Conference membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Washington, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Bakersfield, California, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,092 and $3,758. 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 Tacoma. 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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,092 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,406 - $3,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,758
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 $764 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 $82 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $164 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 Tacoma, WA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Washington 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 $1,092. 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 $1,406 - $3,092.
What are the best moving containers Bakersfield to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,000-mile move from Bakersfield, California, to Tacoma, Washington, costs between $674 and $1,867, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $347 - $397
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $674 - $1,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $699 - $1,445
- 4+ bedrooms: $887 - $1,867
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $674 - $1,867 when pricing out a rental truck from Bakersfield to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $347 - $397, and overnight lodging ($164/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $164 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Bakersfield, California, usually costs about $764 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,000-mile drive falls between $347 and $397, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $328 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Bakersfield to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Bakersfield, California, to Tacoma, Washington, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,231 and $2,332.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Bakersfield to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,810
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,231 - $2,332
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,629 - $3,192
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 $82 - $164 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Bakersfield, California, for about five hours typically runs $764.
What are the best freight companies from Bakersfield to Tacoma?
- 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.
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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Bakersfield on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Bakersfield, CA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 123 |
| Average rent | $1,695/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $345,317 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $77,397/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | None |
| Walkability score | 37/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 41.51/100 | 44.45/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Tacoma, WA to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Washington 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 1,000-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,000-mile route from Bakersfield, CA, to Tacoma, WA, run $1,199 - $8,156 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,092 - $3,758, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $674 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,394, 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 Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Bakersfield, CA, to Tacoma, WA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Bakersfield, CA to Tacoma, WA?
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.
Is Tacoma a safe place to live?
Tacoma has a safety index of 44.45 out of 100 and a crime index of 55.55, 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.
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, 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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
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.