($921+) Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Kansas City, MO, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $921 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,942 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,196, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,942 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,402 - $4,791, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $921 - $2,735.
- 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 $2,975 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 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 is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,975 - $6,944. Containers cost roughly 35% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 66% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,633 miles, expect 4 to 15 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
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 | $2,196 - $4,727 | $1,402 - $2,585 | $921 - $1,843 | $1,211 - $2,279 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,975 - $6,944 | $1,921 - $3,913 | $1,008 - $2,172 | $1,493 - $2,862 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,573 - $9,942 | $2,594 - $4,791 | $1,257 - $2,735 | $2,095 - $4,032 |
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 Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
For the 1,633-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Bakersfield, California, full-service movers cost between $2,196 and $9,942. 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: $2,196 - $4,727
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,975 - $6,944
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,573 - $9,942
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.
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 Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 61% of Kansas City 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 packing75% of local movers | $464 - $4,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready61% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $186 - $1,114/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $278 - $2,227 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% 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 items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $928 - $2,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type48% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz | $742 - $3,248 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $278 - $1,392 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Sunrise Moving and Packing - Kansas City | $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?
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 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 $1,402 and $4,791. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Kansas City typically costs about $75/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Kansas City to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,402 - $2,585
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,921 - $3,913
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,594 - $4,791
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 $1,402. 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 $1,921 - $3,913.
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
- The Dudes Moving Company LLC (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,633-mile move from Kansas City, Missouri, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $921 and $2,735, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $921 - $1,843
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,008 - $2,172
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,257 - $2,735
Pro tip: A rental truck from Kansas City to Bakersfield looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $921 - $2,735. But once you factor in fuel ($482 - $551), overnight lodging ($139/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $139 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 Kansas City, Missouri, usually costs about $650 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,633-mile drive falls between $482 and $551, 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 $46 and $278 to your total.
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
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Kansas City, Missouri, 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 $835 and $2,862.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Kansas City to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,211 - $2,279
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,493 - $2,862
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,095 - $4,032
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $70 - $139 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Kansas City, Missouri, typically costs $650.
What are the best freight companies from Kansas City to Bakersfield?
- 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Kansas City 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: Kansas City, MO vs Bakersfield, CA
Good news for your budget: Bakersfield isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Kansas City. Cost of living index runs 100 there against 88 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 35/100 and 42.6/100 here versus 37/100 and 41.51/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Kansas City, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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. Missouri alone has 138 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,633-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,633-mile move from Kansas City, MO, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,196 and $9,942 with full-service movers, $1,402 - $4,791 with a moving container, and $921 - $2,735 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 $2,975 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 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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($482 - $551), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $139/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 35 and 35 in Kansas City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Kansas City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 48% of movers in Kansas City handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.