Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Bakersfield, CA
About 488 miles across a state line, from Arizona into California, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Bakersfield, CA covers about 488 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,196 – $2,928 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 440 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 488 miles between Arizona and California, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $2,196 – $2,928 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 9 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Phoenix to Bakersfield
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,647 – $2,196 | $1,186 – $1,581 | $791 – $1,054 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,976 – $2,635 | $1,423 – $1,897 | $949 – $1,265 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,196 – $2,928 | $1,581 – $2,108 | $1,054 – $1,405 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,525 – $3,367 | $1,818 – $2,424 | $1,212 – $1,616 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,855 – $3,806 | $2,055 – $2,741 | $1,370 – $1,827 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,294 – $4,392 | $2,372 – $3,162 | $1,581 – $2,108 |
Transport only, for an estimated 488 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Phoenix to Bakersfield
488 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,440. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,196 to $2,928, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Phoenix to Bakersfield
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 440 people a year (±433) moved from Maricopa County, AZ, home to Phoenix, to Kern County, CA, home to Bakersfield. Going the other way: about 792 people a year (±454). Movers from Maricopa County make up 1.2% of the 37,431 people a year who moved into Kern County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 28,174 people a year (±4,463) moving from Arizona to California and about 52,383 people a year (±6,890) from California to Arizona — a net gain for Arizona of about 24,209 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Pinal County, AZ | 17,904 ±2,214 |
| Pima County, AZ | 10,124 ±953 |
| Coconino County, AZ | 6,398 ±704 |
| Yavapai County, AZ | 3,689 ±618 |
| Clark County, NV | 2,998 ±761 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County, CA | 10,503 ±1,253 |
| Riverside County, CA | 2,498 ±530 |
| Fresno County, CA | 1,894 ±477 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 1,641 ±384 |
| Orange County, CA | 1,237 ±373 |
Licensed movers at each end
67 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Phoenix (250 counting those licensed only inside Arizona). 39 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 17.2% of their 128 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dircks Moving & LogisticsUSDOT 923640 | Phoenix · 7 mi | 24 trucks | 0 | — |
| Muscular Moving Men LLCUSDOT 1829172 | Phoenix · 17 mi | 22 trucks | 27 | 42.1% of 19 |
| Camelback Moving IncUSDOT 1635834 | Phoenix · 3 mi | 20 trucks | 35 | 0.0% of 26 |
| M&S Trucking and Moving LLCUSDOT 4035484 | Phoenix · 12 mi | 20 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Just-In Time MovingUSDOT 1759501 | Mesa · 21 mi | 20 trucks | 32 | 4.5% of 22 |
| Daniel's Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 653536 | Phoenix · 7 mi | 18 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Bakersfield end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Bakersfield: Smooth Move USA Mentors Moving and Storage (Bakersfield, 18 trucks), Hansen's Moving & Storage Inc (Bakersfield, 8 trucks), 2015-B2619 (Bakersfield, 2 trucks), Ud Movers LLC (Bakersfield, 1 truck).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Arizona into California, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Phoenix to Bakersfield
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 488 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Bakersfield
A local move inside Bakersfield later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $515 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $867 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Bakersfield are Lancaster (about 78 mi), Santa Clarita (about 83 mi), Oxnard (about 94 mi).
Other routes from Phoenix
All routes from Phoenix, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix to Tucson, AZ | ~124 mi | $558 – $744 |
| Phoenix to Moreno Valley, CA | ~346 mi | $1,557 – $2,076 |
| Phoenix to Las Vegas, NV | 347 mi | $1,562 – $2,082 |
| Phoenix to San Diego, CA | 355 mi | $1,598 – $2,130 |
| Phoenix to Fontana, CA | ~365 mi | $1,643 – $2,190 |
| Phoenix to Los Angeles, CA | 374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Phoenix to Anaheim, CA | ~383 mi | $1,724 – $2,298 |
| Phoenix to Albuquerque, NM | ~384 mi | $1,728 – $2,304 |
Also moving to Bakersfield: from Oxnard, CA, from Los Angeles, CA, from Fresno, CA, from Fontana, CA.
Phoenix to Bakersfield moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Phoenix to Bakersfield?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 488 miles cost about $1,647 – $2,196 for a studio, $2,196 – $2,928 for a two-bedroom home and $2,525 – $3,367 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Phoenix to Bakersfield take?
The drive is about 9 hours, but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Phoenix to Bakersfield?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,054 – $1,405 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,196 – $2,928 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,581 – $2,108.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Phoenix to Bakersfield?
Yes. Phoenix is in Arizona and Bakersfield is in California, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 67 listed movers within 30 miles of Phoenix hold it.
How many people move from Phoenix to Bakersfield each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 440 people a year (margin of error ±433) moved from Maricopa County, which contains Phoenix, to Kern County, which contains Bakersfield.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.