Montana to Arizona Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,229 miles from Montana to Arizona ranges from $1,199 to $1,835 and takes 2–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arizona to Montana car shipping guide.
Montana to Arizona auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Montana and Arizona. The average travel distance is about 1,229 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Arizona
| From Montana to Arizona | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Phoenix, AZ | 1,212 miles | $1,222–$1,710 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ | 1,325 miles | $1,235–$1,884 | 3–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Mesa, AZ | 1,230 miles | $1,117–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chandler, AZ | 1,234 miles | $1,117–$1,817 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Gilbert, AZ | 1,233 miles | $1,187–$1,710 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Arizona
| From Montana to Arizona | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Phoenix, AZ | 1,184 miles | $1,078–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ | 1,295 miles | $1,199–$1,728 | 3–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Mesa, AZ | 1,203 miles | $1,222–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chandler, AZ | 1,206 miles | $1,187–$1,764 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Gilbert, AZ | 1,205 miles | $1,152–$1,728 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to Arizona
| From Montana to Arizona | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Phoenix, AZ | 1,071 miles | $1,029–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ | 1,181 miles | $1,110–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Mesa, AZ | 1,087 miles | $1,039–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chandler, AZ | 1,092 miles | $980–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Gilbert, AZ | 1,092 miles | $1,010–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Arizona
| From Montana to Arizona | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Phoenix, AZ | 1,070 miles | $1,019–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ | 1,181 miles | $1,089–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Mesa, AZ | 1,087 miles | $980–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chandler, AZ | 1,092 miles | $990–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Gilbert, AZ | 1,092 miles | $950–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Arizona
| From Montana to Arizona | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Phoenix, AZ | 1,077 miles | $970–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tucson, AZ | 1,187 miles | $1,035–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Mesa, AZ | 1,093 miles | $950–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chandler, AZ | 1,099 miles | $960–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Gilbert, AZ | 1,099 miles | $970–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Arizona
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Montana to Arizona you should expect to pay between $1,499 and $2,294.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to Arizona
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Grand Canyon State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Arizona.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Arizona spans approximately 1,229 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Montana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Montana and Arizona and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Montana to Arizona should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Montana to Arizona car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Montana to Arizona:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Montana to Arizona
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,229 miles on your car going from Montana to Arizona. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Montana to Arizona for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Montana to Arizona?
- Car insurance requirements: The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
- Vehicle inspection: Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
- Driver’s license: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Montana
Over 39 million people call Montana home. Nicknamed the Big Sky Country, Montana has a lot of variation in geography, topography, and elevation, and the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana comprises plains and badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, The Continental Divide has a considerable effect on the climate, as it restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and drier continental air from moving west. The area west of the divide has a modified northern Pacific Coast climate, with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season. Low clouds and fog often form in the valleys west of the divide in winter, but this is rarely seen in the east.
Transporting your vehicle to Arizona
About 22 million people are living in the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in Arizona?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Montana and when dropping it off in Arizona.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Arizona?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Arizona, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arizona, which you should verify before loading your car in Montana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Montana, drivers must meet legal requirements for minimum car insurance liability coverage to ensure financial responsibility in accidents. Mandated by state regulations, this includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, covering collective medical expenses in case of multiple injuries, capped at $50,000 for the entire incident. Additionally, there's a required minimum of $20,000 per accident for property damage, crucial for addressing costs related to damage to another party's vehicle or property. Adhering to these insurance requirements is imperative for all motorists, ensuring compliance with state laws and contributing to a secure and responsible driving environment on Montana roadways.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Arizona?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Arizona is about 1229 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Montana to Arizona.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Arizona?
If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arizona after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Arizona after purchasing it.
In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Arizona to avoid any hidden costs.
