($1,650+) Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving from Boston, MA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,667 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,200 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,997 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 21 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 $2,843, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $13,200 or more.
  • Moving containers run $2,217 - $7,768, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,667 - $4,632.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boston, MA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,549 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving options from Boston to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $4,549 - $9,221 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 2,997-mile route typically takes 7 to 21 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,997-mile route from Boston to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,843 - $6,795 $2,217 - $4,037 $1,667 - $3,202 $1,977 - $3,597
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,549 - $9,221 $2,767 - $5,970 $1,937 - $4,010 $2,082 - $4,592
4+ bedrooms $8,394 - $13,200 $3,898 - $7,768 $2,471 - $4,632 $3,058 - $5,963

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Full-service movers for the 2,997-mile relocation from Boston, Massachusetts, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,843 and $13,200. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $392 - $2,612, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Boston typically charge a base rate around $340 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boston to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,843 - $6,795
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,549 - $9,221
  • 4+ bedrooms: $8,394 - $13,200

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 Boston to Bakersfield.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Massachusetts to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 96% of Boston 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 packingFull crew packing99% of local movers$653 - $6,530
Storage in transitNew place not ready96% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Boston Best Rate Movers$261 - $1,567/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$392 - $3,134
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage48% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$1,306 - $3,918
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,265 - $13,060
Car shippingSecond vehicle$978 - $1,858
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Boston Best Rate Movers$1,306 - $3,265
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Boston Best Rate Movers$1,045 - $4,571
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers$392 - $1,959
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Boston Best Rate Movers$849 - $2,612
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$392 - $19,590+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$392 - $4,571+

What are the best full-service movers from Boston to Bakersfield?

California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, on top of the picks below.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Boston, MA. 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 Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving containers from Boston, Massachusetts, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,217 and $7,768. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Boston costs roughly $145/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boston to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,217 - $4,037
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,767 - $5,970
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,898 - $7,768

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $98 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $196 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 $914 in Boston, MA, 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.

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 $2,217. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,767 - $5,970, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Boston to Bakersfield?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boston 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 Boston:

  • Boston Best Rate Movers (4.7/5), 21 years in business
  • StairHopper Movers (5.0/5), 23 years in business
  • Exela Movers (4.9/5), 11 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA

Renting a moving truck for the 2,997-mile move from Boston, Massachusetts, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,667 and $4,632, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,245 - $1,423
  • Daily insurance: $39/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Boston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.09
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Boston to Bakersfield based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,667 - $3,202
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,937 - $4,010
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,471 - $4,632

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Boston to Bakersfield starts at $1,667 - $4,632, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,245 - $1,423) , overnight lodging ($196/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Boston, Massachusetts, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $914.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $1,245 - $1,423 for the 2,997-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 $78 and $424, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $196 per night for hotel stops on the 2,997-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $392 - $588.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Boston to Bakersfield?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Boston, MA 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 Boston, Massachusetts, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $2,082 and $4,592.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boston to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,977 - $3,597
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,082 - $4,592
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,058 - $5,963

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 $98 and $196.
  • 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 Boston, Massachusetts, for roughly five hours typically average $914.

What are the best freight companies from Boston to Bakersfield?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (4.7/5 stars): Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Boston to Bakersfield. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Boston, MA 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 Boston on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Boston, MA Bakersfield, CA
Cost of living index151100
Average rent$3,400/mo$1,695/mo
Median home value$710,400$345,317
Average income$94,755/yr$77,397/yr
Unemployment rate6.2%5.9%
State income taxUp to 9.0%Up to 13.3%
Walkability score98/10037/100
Safety index60.12/10041.51/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Boston, MA guide.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Boston, MA, to Bakersfield, CA, 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 $2,843 - $13,200 on the 2,997-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $2,217 - $7,768 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,667 - $4,632 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $4,549 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.

FAQs: Moving from Boston, MA, to Bakersfield, CA

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.

How long does a move from Boston, MA 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 do local movers charge in Boston?

Local movers based in Boston typically start around $340 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.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Boston, MA 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.

How much does it cost to move from Boston, MA to Bakersfield, CA?

Costs on this route range from around $2,843 to $13,200, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,843 and $13,200, 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 percentage of Boston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in Boston handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.