($606+) Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA Movers

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Moving from Olympia, WA, to Bakersfield, CA, runs anywhere from $625 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,942 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 969 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,209, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,942 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,154 - $3,678, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $625 - $1,832.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to Bakersfield, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,679 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

There are 3 main ways to move from Olympia to Bakersfield: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,679 - $6,673. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 969 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 969-mile route from Olympia to Bakersfield, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,209 - $5,185 with full-service movers, $1,154 - $2,183 with a container, $625 - $1,255 with a rental truck, or $987 - $1,888 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,679 - $6,673 full-service, $1,499 - $2,859 by container, $689 - $1,449 by rental truck, or $1,187 - $2,357 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,754 - $8,942 full-service, $2,000 - $3,678 by container, $829 - $1,832 by rental truck, or $1,553 - $3,187 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.

Professional moving
Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Moving container
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental truck
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight trailer
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

For the 969-mile move from Olympia, Washington, to Bakersfield, California, full-service movers cost between $2,209 and $8,942. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $322 - $2,144 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Olympia generally start around $296 plus $133 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Olympia to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,209 - $5,185
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,679 - $6,673
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,754 - $8,942

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 Olympia to Bakersfield.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Olympia 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$536 - $5,360
Storage in transitNew place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$214 - $1,286/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$322 - $2,573
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs30% of local movers$1,072 - $3,216
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,680 - $10,720
Car shippingSecond vehicle$803 - $1,525
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$1,072 - $2,680
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$858 - $3,752
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers$322 - $1,608
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Morgan Transfer$697 - $2,144
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$322 - $16,080+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$322 - $3,752+

What are the best full-service movers from Olympia 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Olympia, WA. 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 Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Bakersfield, California, cost between $1,154 and $3,678. 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 Olympia costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Olympia to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,154 - $2,183
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,499 - $2,859
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,000 - $3,678

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 $750 in Olympia, WA. 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 $80 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $161 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 Washington 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 $1,154. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,499 - $2,859, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Olympia to Bakersfield?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Olympia 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 Olympia:

  • All Ready Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
  • A & E Relocation Services (3.5/5), 11 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

Truck rentals from Olympia, Washington, to Bakersfield, California, range from $625 - $1,832 for the 969-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $331 - $378
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $21
  • Olympia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.59
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Olympia to Bakersfield based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $625 - $1,255
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $689 - $1,449
  • 4+ bedrooms: $829 - $1,832

Pro tip: The base rate of $625 - $1,832 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Olympia to Bakersfield. Fuel ($331 - $378) , lodging at around $161/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $161 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $70 and $348 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $331 - $378 in fuel for the 969-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $750 in Olympia, Washington, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia to Bakersfield?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA

For larger DIY moves from Olympia, Washington, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Bakersfield, California.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,187 and $2,357.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to Bakersfield:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $1,888
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,187 - $2,357
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,553 - $3,187

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $750.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $161 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Olympia to Bakersfield?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Allstate Transport (4.7/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Olympia to Bakersfield, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.

Cost of living: Olympia, WA vs Bakersfield, CA

There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Olympia and Bakersfield to plan around. Cost of living index: 112 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,895/mo vs. $1,695/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 39 vs. 37. Safety index: 62.25 vs. 41.51.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Bakersfield, CA to Olympia, WA guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Washington 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 96 movers in our Washington network to compare for this 969-mile move.

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Our take

The 969-mile move from Olympia, WA, to Bakersfield, CA, costs between $2,209 and $8,942 with full-service movers, $1,154 - $3,678 with a moving container, and $625 - $1,832 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 $2,679 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 Olympia, WA, to Bakersfield, CA

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

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 62.25 and 27.95 in Olympia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What is the cheapest way to move from Olympia, WA 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 $689 - $1,449. 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 Olympia, WA to Bakersfield, CA take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.