($796+) Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $796 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,749 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,225 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 $2,438, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,749 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,262 - $4,198, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $796 - $2,119.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,200 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 Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Missoula to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,200 - $7,554 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 52% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 73% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,225-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,225-mile route from Missoula to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,438 - $6,057, container $1,262 - $2,343, rental truck $796 - $1,491, freight trailer $1,078 - $2,087.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,200 - $7,554, container $1,543 - $3,200, rental truck $853 - $1,807, freight trailer $1,312 - $2,533.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,456 - $9,749, container $2,158 - $4,198, rental truck $1,073 - $2,119, freight trailer $1,814 - $3,565.
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 Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
For the 1,225-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Bakersfield, California, full-service movers cost between $2,438 and $9,749. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $323 - $2,156 (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 Missoula generally start around $342 plus $150 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,438 - $6,057
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,200 - $7,554
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,456 - $9,749
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 Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula 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 | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $216 - $1,294/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $323 - $2,587 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,078 - $3,234 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,695 - $10,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $807 - $1,534 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $701 - $2,156 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $323 - $16,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $323 - $3,773+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Bakersfield?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in California Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,262 and $4,198. 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 Missoula typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,262 - $2,343
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,543 - $3,200
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,158 - $4,198
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $81 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $162 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 $755 in Missoula, MT, 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 $1,262. 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 $1,543 - $3,200.
What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Missoula, Montana, to Bakersfield, California, range from $796 - $2,119 for the 1,225-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $420 - $480
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
| 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 Missoula to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $796 - $1,491
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $853 - $1,807
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,073 - $2,119
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $796 - $2,119 when pricing out a rental truck from Missoula to Bakersfield. Fuel alone runs $420 - $480, and overnight lodging ($162/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $162 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 Missoula, Montana, usually costs about $755 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,225-mile drive falls between $420 and $480, 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 $54 and $323 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Missoula, Montana, to Bakersfield, California, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,312 and $2,533.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,078 - $2,087
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,814 - $3,565
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?
- 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 $81 - $162 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 Missoula, Montana, typically costs $755.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula 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 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: Missoula, MT vs Bakersfield, CA
Missoula and Bakersfield land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Missoula and 100 in Bakersfield, and average rent is $1,322/mo vs. $1,695/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 45 vs 37 and safety scores are 66.73 vs 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Missoula, MT guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1 real quote from Montana 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. Montana alone has 19 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,225-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Missoula, MT, to Bakersfield, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,438 - $9,749 on the 1,225-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,262 - $4,198, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $796 - $2,119. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,200 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Missoula, MT, to Bakersfield, CA
How walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 45 and 60 in Missoula. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($420 - $480), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $162/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Missoula, MT 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.
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 percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.