($850+) Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Fort Worth, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $850 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,245 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,422 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 $2,192, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,245 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,307 - $4,405, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $850 - $2,481.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Worth, TX, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,811 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Fort Worth to Bakersfield fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,811 - $6,252 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,422-mile route typically takes 3 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,422-mile route from Fort Worth to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,192 - $4,872 | $1,307 - $2,542 | $850 - $1,594 | $1,248 - $2,287 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,811 - $6,252 | $1,635 - $3,376 | $956 - $2,012 | $1,295 - $2,894 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,771 - $9,245 | $2,407 - $4,405 | $1,134 - $2,481 | $1,833 - $3,598 |
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 Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,422-mile relocation from Fort Worth, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,192 and $9,245. 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 $304 - $2,024, 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 Fort Worth typically charge a base rate around $216 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Worth to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,192 - $4,872
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,811 - $6,252
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,771 - $9,245
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 Fort Worth to Bakersfield.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Fort Worth 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 packing74% of local movers | $506 - $5,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $202 - $1,214/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $304 - $2,429 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,012 - $3,036 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,530 - $10,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $758 - $1,440 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items22% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $1,012 - $2,530 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $810 - $3,542 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $304 - $1,518 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $658 - $2,024 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $304 - $15,180+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $304 - $3,542+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Worth 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Fort Worth, TX. 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 Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Fort Worth, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,307 and $4,405. 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 Fort Worth runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Worth to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,307 - $2,542
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,635 - $3,376
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,407 - $4,405
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $76 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $152 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 $708 in Fort Worth, TX. 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 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 $1,307. 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 $1,635 - $3,376.
What are the best moving containers Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth:
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 24 years in business
- Olde World Movers (4.9/5), 38 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
A rental truck for this 1,422-mile move from Fort Worth, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, costs between $850 and $2,481. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $458 - $523
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $850 - $1,594
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $956 - $2,012
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,134 - $2,481
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $850 - $2,481 does not include fuel ($458 - $523), lodging ($152/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Fort Worth to Bakersfield typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 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 Fort Worth, Texas, usually costs about $708 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,422-mile drive falls between $458 and $523, 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 $51 and $304 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth, TX to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Fort Worth, Texas, 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 $1,295 and $2,894.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Worth to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,248 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,295 - $2,894
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,833 - $3,598
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Fort Worth, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $708.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $76 - $152 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Worth to Bakersfield?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
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: Fort Worth, TX vs Bakersfield, CA
Good news for your budget: Bakersfield isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Fort Worth. Cost of living index runs 100 there against 102 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 56.81/100 here versus 37/100 and 41.51/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Fort Worth, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,422-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,422-mile route from Fort Worth, TX, to Bakersfield, CA, run $2,192 - $9,245 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,307 - $4,405, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $850 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,811, 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 Fort Worth, TX, to Bakersfield, CA
What do local movers charge in Fort Worth?
Local movers based in Fort Worth typically start around $216 as a base rate, plus $80/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 35 and 39 in Fort Worth. 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 56.81 and 43.19 in Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Fort Worth handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.