Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Modesto, CA
About 224 miles inside California. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by California, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Modesto, CA covers about 224 miles and is a move within California. Full-service movers cost $1,008 – $1,344 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 122 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 224 miles, about 4 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,008 – $1,344. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within California
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Bakersfield to Modesto
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $756 – $1,008 | $544 – $726 | $363 – $484 |
| 1 bedroom | $907 – $1,210 | $653 – $871 | $435 – $581 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,008 – $1,344 | $726 – $968 | $484 – $645 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,159 – $1,546 | $835 – $1,113 | $556 – $742 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,310 – $1,747 | $943 – $1,258 | $629 – $839 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,512 – $2,016 | $1,089 – $1,452 | $726 – $968 |
Transport only, for an estimated 224 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, Bakersfield to Modesto
224 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,120. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,008 to $1,344, 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 Bakersfield to Modesto
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 122 people a year (±101) moved from Kern County, CA, home to Bakersfield, to Stanislaus County, CA, home to Modesto. Going the other way: about 295 people a year (±140). Movers from Kern County make up 0.6% of the 19,502 people a year who moved into Stanislaus County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County, CA | 5,058 ±873 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 2,445 ±637 |
| Kings County, CA | 1,925 ±329 |
| Lassen County, CA | 1,795 ±216 |
| Fresno County, CA | 1,334 ±281 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| San Joaquin County, CA | 4,132 ±867 |
| Alameda County, CA | 2,169 ±682 |
| Merced County, CA | 1,807 ±578 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 1,041 ±396 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 805 ±371 |
Licensed movers at each end
8 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Bakersfield. 4 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 0.0% of their 29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth Move USA Mentors Moving and StorageUSDOT 2911596 | Bakersfield · 14 mi | 18 trucks | 26 | 0.0% of 19 |
| Hansen's Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 2728836 | Bakersfield · 14 mi | 8 trucks | 10 | 0.0% of 7 |
| 2015-B2619USDOT 3084871 | Bakersfield · 13 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
| Ud Movers LLCUSDOT 4324671 | Bakersfield · 2 mi | 1 truck | 3 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Fit Movers LLCUSDOT 3455958 | Bakersfield · 2 mi | 1 truck | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| 1st Class Moving LLCUSDOT 4294145 | Bakersfield · 5 mi | 1 truck | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Modesto end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Modesto: Grace Moving Company LLC (Modesto, 10 trucks), Mid Cal Moving & Storage Company (Stockton, 8 trucks), Modesto Transfer and Storage Inc (Modesto, 5 trucks), Encore Piano Moving (Stockton, 5 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in California, so California rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which California licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside California, so your protection on this 224-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Bakersfield to Modesto
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 224 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Modesto
A local move inside Modesto 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 Modesto are Stockton (about 34 mi), Fremont (about 61 mi), San Jose (about 62 mi).
Other routes from Bakersfield
All routes from Bakersfield, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield to Oxnard, CA | ~94 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Bakersfield to Los Angeles, CA | ~117 mi | $527 – $702 |
| Bakersfield to Fresno, CA | ~122 mi | $549 – $732 |
| Bakersfield to Fontana, CA | ~145 mi | $653 – $870 |
| Bakersfield to Anaheim, CA | ~147 mi | $662 – $882 |
| Bakersfield to Moreno Valley, CA | ~167 mi | $752 – $1,002 |
| Bakersfield to San Jose, CA | ~244 mi | $1,098 – $1,464 |
| Bakersfield to San Diego, CA | ~247 mi | $1,112 – $1,482 |
Also moving to Modesto: from Stockton, CA, from Fremont, CA, from San Jose, CA, from Sacramento, CA.
Bakersfield to Modesto moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield to Modesto?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 224 miles cost about $756 – $1,008 for a studio, $1,008 – $1,344 for a two-bedroom home and $1,159 – $1,546 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to Modesto take?
The drive is about 4 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Bakersfield to Modesto?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $484 – $645 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,008 – $1,344 with full-service movers; a moving container is $726 – $968.
Is Bakersfield to Modesto an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in California, so the move is regulated by California rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever California requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Bakersfield to Modesto each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 122 people a year (margin of error ±101) moved from Kern County, which contains Bakersfield, to Stanislaus County, which contains Modesto.
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.