($1,468+) Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,423 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,888 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,568 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 $2,402, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,888 or more.
- Moving containers run $2,015 - $6,690, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,423 - $4,152.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,742 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Raleigh 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 $3,742 - $7,907. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 2,568 miles, expect 7 to 21 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 2,568-mile route from Raleigh to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,402 - $5,516 | $2,015 - $3,536 | $1,423 - $2,813 | $1,676 - $3,381 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,742 - $7,907 | $2,438 - $4,918 | $1,655 - $3,488 | $1,910 - $4,266 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,897 - $11,888 | $3,357 - $6,690 | $2,152 - $4,152 | $2,877 - $5,746 |
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 Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
For the 2,568-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Bakersfield, California, full-service movers cost between $2,402 and $11,888. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $311 - $2,072 (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 Raleigh generally start around $226 plus $93 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,402 - $5,516
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,742 - $7,907
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,897 - $11,888
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 Raleigh to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Raleigh 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 | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type66% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling31% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Raleigh 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Raleigh, NC. 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 Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,015 and $6,690. 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 Raleigh runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,015 - $3,536
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,438 - $4,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,357 - $6,690
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $725 in Raleigh, NC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $155 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Bakersfield, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $2,015. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,438 - $4,918, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Next Stop Movers (4.9/5), 5 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,568-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $1,423 and $4,152, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $847 - $967
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,423 - $2,813
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,655 - $3,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,152 - $4,152
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Raleigh to Bakersfield starts at $1,423 - $4,152, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($847 - $967) , overnight lodging ($155/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 Raleigh, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $725.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $847 - $967 for the 2,568-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 $62 and $337, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 2,568-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $311 - $466.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Raleigh, North Carolina, 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 $932 and $4,266.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,676 - $3,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $4,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,877 - $5,746
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 $78 - $155 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 Raleigh, North Carolina, typically costs $725.
What are the best freight companies from Raleigh to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Southern Express, Inc. (4.3/5 stars): Southern Express, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Bakersfield fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Raleigh, NC vs Bakersfield, CA
Good news for your budget: Bakersfield isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Raleigh. Cost of living index runs 100 there against 106 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 31/100 and 60.13/100 here versus 37/100 and 41.51/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Raleigh, NC guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to California, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 117 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 2,568-mile move.
Our take
A move from Raleigh, NC, 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 $2,402 - $11,888 on the 2,568-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $2,015 - $6,690, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,423 - $4,152. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,742 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 Raleigh, NC, to Bakersfield, CA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Raleigh, NC 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.
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 60.13 and 38.87 in Raleigh. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 31 and 39 in Raleigh. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 percentage of Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 66% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.