Moving from Sacramento, CA to Bakersfield, CA
About 304 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 Sacramento, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers about 304 miles and is a move within California. Full-service movers cost $1,368 – $1,824 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 569 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 304 miles, about 6 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 $1,368 – $1,824. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within California
- Driving
- about 6 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Sacramento to Bakersfield
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,026 – $1,368 | $739 – $985 | $492 – $657 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,231 – $1,642 | $886 – $1,182 | $591 – $788 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,368 – $1,824 | $985 – $1,313 | $657 – $876 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,573 – $2,098 | $1,133 – $1,510 | $755 – $1,007 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,778 – $2,371 | $1,280 – $1,707 | $854 – $1,138 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,052 – $2,736 | $1,477 – $1,970 | $985 – $1,313 |
Transport only, for an estimated 304 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, Sacramento to Bakersfield
304 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,520. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,368 to $1,824, 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 Sacramento to Bakersfield
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 569 people a year (±216) moved from Sacramento County, CA, home to Sacramento, to Kern County, CA, home to Bakersfield. Going the other way: about 462 people a year (±161). Movers from Sacramento County make up 1.5% of the 37,431 people a year who moved into Kern County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Placer County, CA | 8,313 ±1,114 |
| El Dorado County, CA | 3,786 ±712 |
| Alameda County, CA | 2,933 ±785 |
| Yolo County, CA | 2,904 ±611 |
| San Joaquin County, CA | 2,746 ±653 |
| 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
78 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Sacramento. 32 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 8.9% of their 135 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Valley MovingUSDOT 786470 | Sacramento · 5 mi | 11 trucks | 21 | 0.0% of 17 |
| Wind Dancer Moving CompanyUSDOT 781304 | Rio Oso · 26 mi | 9 trucks | 0 | — |
| Auburn Moving Co IncUSDOT 2347808 | Roseville · 17 mi | 7 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Scott Heavy Movers IncUSDOT 2550385 | North Highland · 9 mi | 6 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 11 |
| Sartain Moving LLCUSDOT 3741383 | Sacramento · 8 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| Great American MoversUSDOT 397786 | Sacramento · 8 mi | 4 trucks | 6 | 0.0% of 4 |
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 304-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 Sacramento to Bakersfield
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 304 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 Sacramento
All routes from Sacramento, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento to Roseville, CA | ~19 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Sacramento to Stockton, CA | ~50 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Sacramento to Modesto, CA | ~82 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Sacramento to San Francisco, CA | ~86 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Sacramento to Fremont, CA | ~92 mi | $515 – $859 |
| Sacramento to San Jose, CA | ~103 mi | $464 – $618 |
| Sacramento to Reno, NV | ~130 mi | $585 – $780 |
| Sacramento to Fresno, CA | ~184 mi | $828 – $1,104 |
Also moving to Bakersfield: from Oxnard, CA, from Los Angeles, CA, from Fresno, CA, from Fontana, CA.
Sacramento to Bakersfield moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Sacramento to Bakersfield?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 304 miles cost about $1,026 – $1,368 for a studio, $1,368 – $1,824 for a two-bedroom home and $1,573 – $2,098 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Sacramento to Bakersfield take?
The drive is about 6 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 Sacramento to Bakersfield?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $657 – $876 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,368 – $1,824 with full-service movers; a moving container is $985 – $1,313.
Is Sacramento 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 Sacramento to Bakersfield each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 569 people a year (margin of error ±216) moved from Sacramento County, which contains Sacramento, 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.