($1,048+) Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,017 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,440 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,633 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,375, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,440 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,516 - $5,186, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,017 - $2,843.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Kansas City, MO, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,122 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Kansas City to Bakersfield: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,122 - $7,008. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,633-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,633-mile route from Kansas City to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,375 - $5,381 | $1,516 - $2,826 | $1,017 - $2,052 | $1,284 - $2,416 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,122 - $7,008 | $1,978 - $4,070 | $1,135 - $2,442 | $1,582 - $3,319 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,852 - $10,440 | $2,565 - $5,186 | $1,318 - $2,843 | $2,179 - $4,233 |
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 Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
For the 1,633-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Bakersfield, California, full-service movers cost between $2,375 and $10,440. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $278 - $1,856 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Kansas City generally start around $251 plus $113 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Kansas City to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,375 - $5,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,122 - $7,008
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,852 - $10,440
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 Kansas City to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 72% of Kansas City 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 | $464 - $4,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready72% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Bellhop Moving | $186 - $1,114/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $278 - $2,227 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $928 - $2,784 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,320 - $9,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $695 - $1,321 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $928 - $2,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $742 - $3,248 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling32% of local movers | $278 - $1,392 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $603 - $1,856 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $278 - $13,920+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $278 - $3,248+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Kansas City 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Kansas City, MO. 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 Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Kansas City, Missouri, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,516 and $5,186. 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 Kansas City typically runs around $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,516 - $2,826
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,978 - $4,070
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,565 - $5,186
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $70 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $139 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 $650 in Kansas City, MO, 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 Missouri 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 $1,516. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,978 - $4,070, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City:
- Moving Proz (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.6/5), 15 years in business
- Metro Wide Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
A rental truck for this 1,633-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,017 and $2,843. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $482 - $551
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $19
- Kansas City 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 Kansas City to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $2,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,135 - $2,442
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,318 - $2,843
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Kansas City to Bakersfield starts at $1,017 - $2,843, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($482 - $551) , overnight lodging ($139/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $482 - $551 for the 1,633-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Kansas City, Missouri, for about 5 hours typically costs around $650.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,633-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $139 per night, adding $278 - $418 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $46 and $278.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Kansas City, Missouri, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Bakersfield, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,582 and $3,319.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,284 - $2,416
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,582 - $3,319
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,179 - $4,233
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?
- 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 $70 - $139 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Kansas City, Missouri, for about five hours typically runs $650.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Material Transport Co (4.62/5 stars): Material Transport Co is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Kansas City to Bakersfield, 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: Kansas City, MO vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Kansas City and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 88 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,300/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 35 vs. 37. Safety index: 42.6 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Kansas City, MO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 54 movers in our Missouri network to compare for this 1,633-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Kansas City, MO, 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 $2,375 - $10,440 on the 1,633-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,516 - $5,186 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,017 - $2,843 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,122 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 Kansas City, MO, to Bakersfield, CA
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.
Is Bakersfield a safe place to live?
Bakersfield has a safety index of 41.51 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.49, compared to 42.6 and 58.4 in Kansas City. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Kansas City, MO 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 $1,135 - $2,442. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 Kansas City, MO 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 percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
