($681+) Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $681 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,007 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,031 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,114, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,007 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $4,046, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $681 - $1,889.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,491 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Denver to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,491 - $5,961 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 70% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,031 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,031-mile route from Denver to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,114 - $5,200 | $1,163 - $2,209 | $681 - $1,255 | $1,110 - $2,027 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,491 - $5,961 | $1,482 - $3,103 | $751 - $1,599 | $1,173 - $2,361 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,060 - $8,007 | $2,081 - $4,046 | $924 - $1,889 | $1,551 - $3,109 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,031-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Bakersfield, California, with prices running from $2,114 - $8,007. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $350 - $2,336 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Denver and Bakersfield are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Denver movers tend to run around $262 as a base rate plus $115/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Denver to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,114 - $5,200
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,491 - $5,961
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,060 - $8,007
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 Denver to Bakersfield.
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 Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Denver movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Bakersfield, 71% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing70% of local movers | $584 - $5,840 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Company | $234 - $1,402/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $350 - $2,803 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,168 - $3,504 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,920 - $11,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $875 - $1,662 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $1,168 - $2,920 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Company | $934 - $4,088 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $350 - $1,752 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Klatt Moving & Storage LLC (CO) | $759 - $2,336 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $350 - $17,520+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $350 - $4,088+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Bakersfield?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Denver, CO. 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 Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,163 and $4,046. 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 Denver typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $2,209
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,482 - $3,103
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,081 - $4,046
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 Denver, CO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $818, 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 $88 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $175 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Denver, CO, and Bakersfield, CA, 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 Colorado to California 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 $1,163. 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 $1,482 - $3,103.
What are the best moving containers Denver to Bakersfield?
- 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 Denver 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 Denver:
- Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Moving Brothers LLC (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
A rental truck for this 1,031-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $681 and $1,889. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $383 - $438
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Denver daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Denver to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $681 - $1,255
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $751 - $1,599
- 4+ bedrooms: $924 - $1,889
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $681 - $1,889 when pricing out a rental truck from Denver to Bakersfield. Fuel alone runs $383 - $438, and overnight lodging ($175/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 $175 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 $76 and $380 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $383 - $438 in fuel for the 1,031-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $818 in Denver, Colorado, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver to Bakersfield?
- 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 Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Denver, Colorado, to Bakersfield, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,173 and $2,361.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $2,027
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,173 - $2,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,551 - $3,109
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Denver, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $818.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $88 and $175 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Denver to Bakersfield?
- 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 Bakersfield 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: Denver, CO vs Bakersfield, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Bakersfield, side by side with Denver on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Bakersfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 128 | 100 |
| Average rent | $1,900/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $586,595 | $345,317 |
| Average income | $91,681/yr | $77,397/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 95/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 52.16/100 | 41.51/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Bakersfield, CA to Denver, CO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 267 movers licensed in Colorado, useful context for sizing up this 1,031-mile move.
Our take
The 1,031-mile move from Denver, CO, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,114 and $8,007 with full-service movers, $1,163 - $4,046 with a moving container, and $681 - $1,889 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,491 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.
FAQs: Moving from Denver, CO, to Bakersfield, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($383 - $438), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $175/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA?
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 $751 - $1,599. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Denver, CO to Bakersfield, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $681 to $8,007, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,114 and $8,007, 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 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.
What do local movers charge in Denver?
Local movers based in Denver typically start around $262 as a base rate, plus $115/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 Bakersfield run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.