($1,563+) Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $1,563 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,958 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,738 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 $2,319, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,958 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,850 - $6,897, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,563 - $4,467.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,477 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving options from Virginia Beach 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 $3,477 - $7,588 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 53% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,738 miles and typically takes 7 to 21 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,738-mile route from Virginia Beach 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 $2,319 - $5,307 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,850 - $3,782), rental truck ($1,563 - $2,822), or freight trailer ($1,665 - $3,370). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,477 - $7,588 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,958.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,738-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, with costs ranging from $2,319 - $10,958. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $309 - $2,060. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Virginia Beach and Bakersfield. Local movers in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate plus $97/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,319 - $5,307
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,477 - $7,588
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,023 - $10,958
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 Virginia Beach to Bakersfield.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Virginia Beach 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 packing67% of local movers | $515 - $5,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $206 - $1,236/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $309 - $2,472 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $1,030 - $3,090 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,575 - $10,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $771 - $1,466 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $1,030 - $2,575 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $824 - $3,605 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $309 - $1,545 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $670 - $2,060 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $309 - $15,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $309 - $3,605+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Virginia Beach, VA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,850 and $6,897. 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 Virginia Beach typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,850 - $3,782
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,449 - $5,008
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,411 - $6,897
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 $721 in Virginia Beach, VA. 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 $77 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 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 $1,850. 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 $2,449 - $5,008.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- Southside Moving and Storage (3.8/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
Truck rentals from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Bakersfield, California, range from $1,563 - $4,467 for the 2,738-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $897 - $1,026
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Virginia Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Virginia Beach to Bakersfield based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,563 - $2,822
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,627 - $3,534
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,056 - $4,467
Pro tip: A rental truck from Virginia Beach to Bakersfield looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,563 - $4,467. But once you factor in fuel ($897 - $1,026), overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $155 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 Virginia Beach, Virginia, usually costs about $721 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,738-mile drive falls between $897 and $1,026, 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 $52 and $309 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $2,058 and $3,924.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Bakersfield:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,665 - $3,370
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,058 - $3,924
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,675 - $5,349
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?
- 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 Virginia Beach, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $721.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $77 and $155 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach 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 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: Virginia Beach, VA vs Bakersfield, CA
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Virginia Beach and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 105 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,950/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 33 vs. 37. Safety index: 58.0 vs. 41.51.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Virginia Beach, 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 2,738-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,738-mile move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,319 and $10,958 with full-service movers, $1,850 - $6,897 with a moving container, and $1,563 - $4,467 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 $3,477 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 Virginia Beach, VA, to Bakersfield, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,627 - $3,534. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 long does a move from Virginia Beach, VA to Bakersfield, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 7 to 21 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 do local movers charge in Virginia Beach?
Local movers based in Virginia Beach typically start around $183 as a base rate, plus $97/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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Virginia Beach, 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 percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.