($994+) Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Sioux Falls, SD, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $994 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,115 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,650 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 $2,786, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,115 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,444 - $4,943, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $994 - $2,778.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Sioux Falls, SD, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,566 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,566 - $8,555 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 70% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,650 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,650-mile route from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,786 - $6,359 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,444 - $2,801), rental truck ($994 - $1,928), or freight trailer ($1,299 - $2,422). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,566 - $8,555 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $11,115.
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 Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,650-mile relocation from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,786 and $11,115. 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 $284 - $1,892, 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 Sioux Falls typically charge a base rate around $424 plus $182 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,786 - $6,359
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,566 - $8,555
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,640 - $11,115
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 Sioux Falls to Bakersfield.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Sioux Falls 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 packing64% of local movers | $473 - $4,730 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $189 - $1,135/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $284 - $2,270 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs29% of local movers | $946 - $2,838 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,365 - $9,460 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $709 - $1,346 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% nationallyTop pick: Hanson-Maves Co (SD) | $946 - $2,365 |
| Piano | Any piano type21% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $757 - $3,311 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $284 - $1,419 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $615 - $1,892 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $284 - $14,190+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $284 - $3,311+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD. 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,444 and $4,943. 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 Sioux Falls costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,444 - $2,801
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,959 - $3,613
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,519 - $4,943
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $71 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $142 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Bakersfield, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $662 in Sioux Falls, SD. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Dakota 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 $1,444. 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 $1,959 - $3,613.
What are the best moving containers Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls:
- Movin' On Out Inc (4.4/5), 22 years in business
- Mini Movers Inc (4.0/5), 35 years in business
- MICHAEL JUNK- Junk Removal Services
Moving truck rental costs from Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,650-mile move from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $994 and $2,778, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $497 - $568
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $994 - $1,928
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,086 - $2,249
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,778
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $994 - $2,778 when pricing out a rental truck from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield. Fuel alone runs $497 - $568, and overnight lodging ($142/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 $142 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 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, usually costs about $662 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,650-mile drive falls between $497 and $568, 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 $47 and $284 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 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 $1,566 and $3,103.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,299 - $2,422
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,566 - $3,103
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,056 - $4,158
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $71 and $142.
- 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 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for roughly five hours typically average $662.
What are the best freight companies from Sioux Falls to Bakersfield?
- 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.
- 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.
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: Sioux Falls, SD vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Sioux Falls and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,100/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 38 vs. 37. Safety index: 57.17 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Sioux Falls, SD guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from South Dakota 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 23 movers licensed in South Dakota, useful context for sizing up this 1,650-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,650-mile route from Sioux Falls, SD, to Bakersfield, CA, run $2,786 - $11,115 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,444 - $4,943, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $994 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,566, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bakersfield City School District and Clinica Sierra Vista.
FAQs: Moving from Sioux Falls, SD, 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 38 and 46 in Sioux Falls. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $994 to $11,115, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,786 and $11,115, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Sioux Falls, SD 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.
What do local movers charge in Sioux Falls?
Local movers based in Sioux Falls typically start around $424 as a base rate, plus $182/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.
How long does a move from Sioux Falls, SD to Bakersfield, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 Sioux Falls movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 21% of movers in Sioux Falls handle piano moves, compared to 40% nationally.