($903+) Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $903 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,557 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,490 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,272, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,557 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,448 - $4,857, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $903 - $2,723.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,172 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 Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Austin 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 $3,172 - $7,080 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,490 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,490-mile route from Austin 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 $2,272 - $5,361 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,448 - $2,687), rental truck ($903 - $1,712), or freight trailer ($1,264 - $2,467). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,172 - $7,080 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,557.
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 Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,490-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, with prices running from $2,272 - $9,557. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $352 - $2,348 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Austin and Bakersfield are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Austin movers tend to run around $191 as a base rate plus $90/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,272 - $5,361
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,172 - $7,080
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,335 - $9,557
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 Austin to Bakersfield.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas 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.
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Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of Austin 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 | $587 - $5,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Black Tie Moving | $235 - $1,409/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,818 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,174 - $3,522 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,935 - $11,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $879 - $1,671 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $1,174 - $2,935 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $939 - $4,109 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $352 - $1,761 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $763 - $2,348 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $352 - $17,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $352 - $4,109+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Austin, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,448 and $4,857. 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 Austin typically runs around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,448 - $2,687
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,906 - $3,827
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,618 - $4,857
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Austin, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $822, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $88 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $176 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Austin, TX, and Bakersfield, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas 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 $1,448. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,906 - $3,827, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 7 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,490 miles from Austin, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, running $903 - $2,723. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $557 - $636
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Austin daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Austin to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $903 - $1,712
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $986 - $2,208
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,280 - $2,723
Pro tip: A rental truck from Austin to Bakersfield looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $903 - $2,723. But once you factor in fuel ($557 - $636) , overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. 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 $176 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 Austin, Texas, usually costs about $822 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,490-mile drive falls between $557 and $636, 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 $59 and $352 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin 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 Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Austin, Texas, 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 $1,437 and $3,002.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,264 - $2,467
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,437 - $3,002
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,994 - $4,006
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $822.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $88 and $176 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Austin 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.
- Molina Trucking (4.26/5 stars): Molina Trucking 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Austin 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: Austin, TX vs Bakersfield, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Bakersfield, side by side with Austin on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Austin, TX | Bakersfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 129 | 100 |
| Average rent | $1,765/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $512,969 | $345,317 |
| Average income | $91,461/yr | $77,397/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 59.87/100 | 41.51/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 1,490-mile move.
Our take
The 1,490-mile move from Austin, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,272 and $9,557 with full-service movers, $1,448 - $4,857 with a moving container, and $903 - $2,723 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 $3,172 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 Austin, TX, to Bakersfield, CA
What do local movers charge in Austin?
Local movers based in Austin typically start around $191 as a base rate, plus $90/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 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 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 walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 42 and 54 in Austin. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 59.87 and 42.91 in Austin. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
