($1,222+) New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from New Orleans, LA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,151 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,049 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,954 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,534, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,049 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,714 - $6,143, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,151 - $3,267.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Orleans, LA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,376 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 New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from New Orleans to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,376 - $7,906 on this route, with movers handling 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 1,954-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,954-mile route from New Orleans to Bakersfield, 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 $2,534 - $5,816 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,714 - $3,189), rental truck ($1,151 - $2,287), or freight trailer ($1,424 - $2,871). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,376 - $7,906 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,049.
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 New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Hiring full-service movers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $2,534 and $11,049. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,954-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $304 - $2,024, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between New Orleans and Bakersfield. For a rough baseline, movers based in New Orleans tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Orleans to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,534 - $5,816
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,376 - $7,906
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,294 - $11,049
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 New Orleans to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Louisiana to California. 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 New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 75% of New Orleans movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Bakersfield, 80% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $506 - $5,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready75% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $202 - $1,214/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $304 - $2,429 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,012 - $3,036 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,530 - $10,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $758 - $1,440 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items38% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,012 - $2,530 |
| Piano | Any piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Atmosphere Movers | $810 - $3,542 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $304 - $1,518 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. | $658 - $2,024 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $304 - $15,180+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $304 - $3,542+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Orleans to Bakersfield?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in New Orleans, LA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,714 and $6,143. 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 New Orleans runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Orleans to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,714 - $3,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,132 - $4,206
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,919 - $6,143
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $152 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $708 in New Orleans, LA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Bakersfield, CA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana 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 $1,714. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,132 - $4,206, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans:
- Lee Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 72 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 38 years in business
- AD Movers (4.7/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bakersfield, California, range from $1,151 - $3,267 for the 1,954-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $629 - $719
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- New Orleans daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 New Orleans to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,349 - $2,667
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,685 - $3,267
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,151 - $3,267 does not include fuel ($629 - $719) , lodging ($152/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from New Orleans to Bakersfield typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $152 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 $66 and $329 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $629 - $719 in fuel for the 1,954-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $708 in New Orleans, Louisiana, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Orleans 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 New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bakersfield, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $911 and $3,540.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Orleans to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,424 - $2,871
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,757 - $3,540
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,219 - $4,583
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 $76 - $152 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in New Orleans, Louisiana, for about five hours typically runs $708.
What are the best freight companies from New Orleans to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- T C I Trucking (4.66/5 stars): T C I Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: New Orleans, LA vs Bakersfield, CA
New Orleans and Bakersfield land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in New Orleans and 100 in Bakersfield, and rent tracks closely too ($1,755/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (58 vs 37) and safety scores (32.69 vs 41.51) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to New Orleans, LA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Louisiana to California, 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. Louisiana alone has 29 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,954-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from New Orleans, LA, to Bakersfield, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,534 for a studio to $11,049 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,954-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,714 - $6,143. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,151 - $3,267, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,376 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 New Orleans, LA, to Bakersfield, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA?
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.
What do local movers charge in New Orleans?
Local movers based in New Orleans typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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.
How long does a move from New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA 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 Bakersfield?
For families, Seven Oaks, Northwest Bakersfield, and Southwest Bakersfield are worth a look in Bakersfield. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Bakersfield, The Oaks, and Westchester tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from New Orleans, LA 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 $1,349 - $2,667. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of New Orleans movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 88% of movers in New Orleans handle piano moves, and 38% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
