Car Shipping from Austin, TX to Bakersfield, CA

Fully insured, door-to-door auto transport. No deposit until your carrier is confirmed. 5-star rated.

Distance
1,564 mi
Transit Time
5-7 days
Estimated Cost
$825–$1125
High Volume

Shipping from Austin, TX

Austin has become one of the fastest growing auto transport markets in the country over the last several years and the volume has followed. The tech industry boom brought tens of thousands of relocations from California, the Northeast, and the Pacific Northwest, and that created enormous shipping demand in both directions. I-35 is the main north to south corridor connecting Austin to Dallas and San Antonio. I-10 is accessible nearby heading east to Houston and west to the Hill Country. Dealer density has grown significantly and auction activity is solid. This market is active and getting more active every year.

Pickups in Austin typically happen within 2 to 3 days. The relocation boom has meant carriers are actively looking for Austin loads because the volume is there. The California to Austin corridor is especially well traveled. Carriers who dropped a California load in Austin are looking for a load back west, which works in your favor if you are shipping from Austin to California. Routes to Dallas and Houston are fast. The I-35 corridor between Austin and Dallas is one of the most consistently active lanes in Texas.

Solid Market

Arriving in Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield is at a real geographic crossroads but it is not a major carrier hub. I-5 runs west of the city about 25 miles out at the Grapevine and that bypass is the honest challenge here. Highway 99 runs through Bakersfield itself and connects it north to Fresno and Sacramento and south toward the LA metro. Carriers on I-5 do not naturally pass through Bakersfield unless they have a reason to. Copart Bakersfield handles salvage auction volume and gives carriers one anchor. The oil industry and agricultural economy here support a solid local dealer market. Bakersfield is not a dead market, but it is a detour for most carriers and that affects timing and pricing.

Deliveries to Bakersfield follow similar timing to pickups. Once a carrier is dispatched and loaded, delivery is straightforward because the city has wide streets and good access throughout. There are no unusual constraints inside the city itself. The challenge is always getting the carrier committed to the detour from I-5. Once that is solved, the rest is smooth.

Pricing on This Route

Shipping a standard sedan from Austin to Bakersfield on open carrier currently estimates between $825 and $1125. That is based on the 1,564-mile distance and current market conditions.

Austin pricing runs close to the national average with a few notable corridors. The Austin to California route is competitive and often well priced. The Austin to Dallas and Austin to Houston lanes are very affordable because of the sheer volume. Long haul routes to the Northeast run at market rate. The relocation boom has actually kept prices reasonable because it brought more carrier supply to match the demand.

Bakersfield typically runs 10 to 20 percent above the national average on most routes. That premium covers the carrier's detour from the main I-5 corridor. Routes between Bakersfield and Los Angeles are the most common and can price more competitively because the 99 to the Grapevine is a short enough run to justify it. Longer hauls to the Bay Area, Phoenix, or Las Vegas carry the detour premium more noticeably. If you are shipping in the November through February window, carrier rates tend to soften as demand drops. Get a quote to see your exact price.

Ready to ship your car?

Get a firm quote in 30 seconds. No deposit until your carrier is confirmed.

Get Your Free Quote