Bakersfield, CA → Des Moines, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Bakersfield to Des Moines

About 1,693 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,720–$10,000, delivery in 5–10 days, 270 carriers on the Bakersfield side and 191 in Des Moines.

1,693 miroad distance
29 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,720–$10,0002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Bakersfield, California
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,693 miles (1,435 straight-line)
Drive time: 29 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 270 (144 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Bakersfield

The route from Bakersfield, CA to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 1,693 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $6,720 to $10,000 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 29 hours (4 driving days).

On the Bakersfield side there are 270 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (144 of them authorized for interstate work), and 191 around Des Moines (116 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Des Moines.

Bakersfield has a population of about 422,165 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,693 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Bakersfield to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 1,693 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,690	$3,280	$4,000
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,030	$4,920	$6,000
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,720	$8,200	$10,000
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,760	$13,120	$16,000
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,790	$18,040	$22,000

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,340–$3,300

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$2,530–$3,720

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$6,720–$10,000

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Bakersfield, CA → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Bakersfield (origin)

F B T INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1662332
MC: 611291
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93313 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 250 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (661) 952-9195 Route Verify on FMCSA

Roadies INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2532550
MC: 880258
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93307 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 141 trucks, 332 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (661) 214-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stevens Trucking Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Stevens Transportation INC

USDOT: 145059
MC: 1418017
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93307 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 112 trucks, 89 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (661) 366-3286 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arora Enterprise INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1835079
MC: 665263
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93313 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 80 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (661) 343-2647 Route Verify on FMCSA

P E I

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Patiala Express INC

USDOT: 2051219
MC: 762376
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93308 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (661) 889-1209 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sidhu Truck Line INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 836260
MC: 457298
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93308 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (661) 735-1111 Route Verify on FMCSA

Isla Solutions INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4394496
MC: 1724252
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93309 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 40 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (323) 323-3365 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sohi Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1587174
MC: 587583
Based in: Bakersfield, CA 93313 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 26 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (661) 556-3680 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 270 movers in Bakersfield

Near Des Moines (destination)

Dhl Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC

USDOT: 1996747
MC: 16536
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50316 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 302 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (800) 447-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jacobson Warehouse Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC

USDOT: 241594
MC: 172189
Based in: Clive, IA 50325 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 483 trucks, 459 drivers
USDOT registered: 1984

Call (219) 742-2278 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ntb

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC

USDOT: 158325
MC: 142245
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50309 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 158 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (515) 245-2595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crawford Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 450195
MC: 232411
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50321 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 70 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Route Verify on FMCSA

Arona Home Essentials

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Arona Corporation

USDOT: 1278309
MC: 33302
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 70 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (515) 225-9029 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nounou Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3497497
MC: 1155202
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50313 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (515) 201-2579 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vgt Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2633507
MC: 945435
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (618) 655-4444 Route Verify on FMCSA

Homemakers Plaza INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4354064
MC: 1702859
Based in: Urbandale, IA 50322 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 37 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 309-4637 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 191 movers in Des Moines

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Bakersfield

Near Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Bakersfield

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Bakersfield to Des Moines?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,690 to $4,000 for a studio, $4,030 to $6,000 for a one-bedroom, $6,720 to $10,000 for a two-bedroom, $10,760 to $16,000 for a three-bedroom and $14,790 to $22,000 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Bakersfield?

About 1,693 road miles (1,435 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 29 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from California into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Bakersfield to Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,340 to $3,300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,530 to $3,720. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Bakersfield–Des Moines corridor.