Moving from Modesto, CA to Bakersfield, 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 Modesto, CA to Bakersfield, 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 295 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 Modesto to Bakersfield
| 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, Modesto to Bakersfield
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 Modesto to Bakersfield
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 295 people a year (±140) moved from Stanislaus County, CA, home to Modesto, to Kern County, CA, home to Bakersfield. Going the other way: about 122 people a year (±101). Movers from Stanislaus County make up 0.8% of the 37,431 people a year who moved into Kern County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Merced County, CA | 2,559 ±884 |
| San Joaquin County, CA | 2,276 ±533 |
| Sacramento County, CA | 1,262 ±381 |
| San Diego County, CA | 893 ±445 |
| Alameda County, CA | 873 ±288 |
| 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
29 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Modesto. 14 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 7.9% of their 38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Moving Company LLCUSDOT 2806730 | Modesto · 1 mi | 10 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Mid Cal Moving & Storage CompanyUSDOT 2778166 | Stockton · 28 mi | 8 trucks | 0 | — |
| Modesto Transfer and Storage IncUSDOT 2125459 | Modesto · 2 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| Encore Piano MovingUSDOT 3597595 | Stockton · 28 mi | 5 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 7 |
| Motivated MoversUSDOT 3314910 | Salida · 7 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
| Golden State Moving Pros LLCUSDOT 4545596 | Turlock · 13 mi | 3 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
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 Modesto to Bakersfield
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 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 Modesto
All routes from Modesto, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto to Stockton, CA | ~34 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Fremont, CA | ~61 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to San Jose, CA | ~62 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Sacramento, CA | ~82 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to San Francisco, CA | ~90 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Roseville, CA | ~93 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Modesto to Fresno, CA | ~107 mi | $482 – $642 |
| Modesto to Oxnard, CA | ~301 mi | $1,355 – $1,806 |
Also moving to Bakersfield: from Oxnard, CA, from Los Angeles, CA, from Fresno, CA, from Fontana, CA.
Modesto to Bakersfield moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Modesto to Bakersfield?
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 Modesto to Bakersfield 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 Modesto to Bakersfield?
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 Modesto to Bakersfield 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 Modesto to Bakersfield each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 295 people a year (margin of error ±140) moved from Stanislaus County, which contains Modesto, 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.