($1,506+) Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,506 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,364 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,679 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 $2,483, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,364 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,980 - $7,156, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,506 - $4,224.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,697 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 Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington to Bakersfield: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,697 - $7,262. Moving containers run about 36% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 56% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 7 to 21 days for this 2,679-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,679-mile route from Arlington to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,483 - $5,557 with full-service movers, $1,980 - $3,808 with a container, $1,506 - $3,036 with a rental truck, or $1,715 - $3,427 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,697 - $7,262 full-service, $2,372 - $4,998 by container, $1,632 - $3,579 by rental truck, or $1,877 - $3,998 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,477 - $11,364 full-service, $3,405 - $7,156 by container, $2,042 - $4,224 by rental truck, or $2,778 - $5,835 by freight.
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 Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers for the 2,679-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $2,483 and $11,364. 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 $415 - $2,768, 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 Arlington typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,483 - $5,557
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,697 - $7,262
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,477 - $11,364
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 Arlington to Bakersfield.
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 Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington 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 packing80% of local movers | $692 - $6,920 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $277 - $1,661/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $415 - $3,322 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,384 - $4,152 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,460 - $13,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,037 - $1,969 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,384 - $3,460 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,107 - $4,844 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $415 - $2,076 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $900 - $2,768 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $415 - $20,760+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $415 - $4,844+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Bakersfield?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Arlington, VA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,980 and $7,156. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Bakersfield. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,980 - $3,808
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,372 - $4,998
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,405 - $7,156
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 Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $969, 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 $104 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $208 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, 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 Virginia 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 $1,980. 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 $2,372 - $4,998.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Arlington, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, range from $1,506 - $4,224 for the 2,679-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,180 - $1,348
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,506 - $3,036
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,632 - $3,579
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,042 - $4,224
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,506 - $4,224 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Bakersfield. Fuel alone runs $1,180 - $1,348, and overnight lodging ($208/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?
- Gas: Fuel adds $1,180 - $1,348 for the 2,679-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $969.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,679-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $208 per night, adding $415 - $623 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $69 and $415.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, 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 $1,246 and $3,998.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,715 - $3,427
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,877 - $3,998
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,778 - $5,835
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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $969.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $104 and $208 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington 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: Arlington, VA 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 Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Bakersfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 100 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,695/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $345,317 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $77,397/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 37/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 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 Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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. Virginia alone has 262 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,679-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Arlington, VA, 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 $2,483 - $11,364 on the 2,679-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,980 - $7,156, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,506 - $4,224. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,697 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 Arlington, VA, to Bakersfield, CA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($1,180 - $1,348), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $208/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has a walkability score of 37 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 44, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. 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 Arlington, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,506 to $11,364, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,483 and $11,364, 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 Arlington, VA 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 Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.