Rapid City, SD → Bakersfield, CA · Long-distance move

Movers from Rapid City to Bakersfield

About 1,217 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,680–$8,450, delivery in 3–7 days, 23 carriers on the Rapid City side and 270 in Bakersfield.

1,217 miroad distance
21 h 41 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,680–$8,4502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0

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Route summary

From: Rapid City, South Dakota
To: Bakersfield, California
Road distance: ≈ 1,217 miles (1,031 straight-line)
Drive time: 21 h 41 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 23 (17 interstate)
Movers at destination: 270 (144 interstate)

Reverse: Bakersfield → Rapid City

Bakersfield sits about 1,217 miles southwest of Rapid City, which makes this an interstate relocation from South Dakota to California that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

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 $5,680 to $8,450 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 21 h 41 min.

On the Rapid City side there are 23 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (17 of them authorized for interstate work), and 270 around Bakersfield (144 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 Bakersfield.

Rapid City has a population of about 80,000 and Bakersfield about 422,165. Bakersfield is the denser city (2,693 people per square mile versus 1,357 in Rapid City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. California is a higher-cost state than South Dakota, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Note that California does collect a state income tax, unlike South Dakota, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Rapid City to Bakersfield

Full-service estimate for 1,217 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,270	$2,770	$3,380
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,410	$4,150	$5,070
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,680	$6,920	$8,450
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$9,080	$11,080	$13,510
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$12,490	$15,230	$18,580

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,700–$2,400

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

Portable container

$2,110–$3,100

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

Full-service mover

$5,680–$8,450

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Rapid City, SD → Bakersfield, CA. 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 Rapid City (origin)

The Moving Guys LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3199241
MC: 160684
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (605) 877-2258 Route Verify on FMCSA

Northwestern Warehouse Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 159450
MC: 142617
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 342-1460 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Supply INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 126865
MC: 158116
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 343-5486 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 207599
MC: 146767
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 1981

Call (605) 342-7060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dakota Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dakota Express Transportation INC

USDOT: 379471
MC: 226380
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (605) 341-5458 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thomas & Sons Moving Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2997736
MC: 22439
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (605) 787-3871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aces And Eights Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3232950
MC: 1013972
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (612) 406-1441 Route Verify on FMCSA

D & D Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4017443
MC: 1514392
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (605) 858-4772 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 23 movers in Rapid City

Near Bakersfield (destination)

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

Related routes

Other destinations from Rapid City

Other origins to Bakersfield

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Rapid City to Bakersfield?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,270 to $3,380 for a studio, $3,410 to $5,070 for a one-bedroom, $5,680 to $8,450 for a two-bedroom, $9,080 to $13,510 for a three-bedroom and $12,490 to $18,580 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Bakersfield from Rapid City?

About 1,217 road miles (1,031 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 41 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 South Dakota into California 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 Rapid City to Bakersfield?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,700 to $2,400 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,110 to $3,100. 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 Rapid City–Bakersfield corridor.