Montana to Washington Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 664 miles from Montana to Washington ranges from $950 to $1,287 and takes 1–6 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 Washington to Montana car shipping guide.
Montana to Washington 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 Washington. The average travel distance is about 664 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | 820 miles | $992–$1,515 | 2–7 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | 541 miles | $840–$1,128 | 1–6 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tacoma, WA | 833 miles | $988–$1,508 | 2–7 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Kennewick, WA | 680 miles | $957–$1,356 | 1–6 days |
| Butte, MT to Pasco, WA | 676 miles | $910–$1,276 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | 475 miles | $765–$1,083 | 1–4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | 197 miles | $532–$698 | 1–4 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tacoma, WA | 488 miles | $765–$1,126 | 1–4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Kennewick, WA | 336 miles | $630–$843 | 1–4 days |
| Butte, MT to Pasco, WA | 332 miles | $650–$843 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | 667 miles | $932–$1,287 | 1–6 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | 389 miles | $684–$1,013 | 1–4 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tacoma, WA | 680 miles | $957–$1,343 | 1–6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Kennewick, WA | 528 miles | $857–$1,094 | 1–6 days |
| Butte, MT to Pasco, WA | 524 miles | $784–$1,034 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | 677 miles | $910–$1,383 | 1–6 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | 399 miles | $691–$1,004 | 1–4 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tacoma, WA | 690 miles | $966–$1,369 | 1–6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Kennewick, WA | 537 miles | $808–$1,139 | 1–6 days |
| Butte, MT to Pasco, WA | 533 miles | $832–$1,184 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | 592 miles | $859–$1,225 | 1–6 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | 314 miles | $624–$877 | 1–4 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tacoma, WA | 606 miles | $870–$1,260 | 1–6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Kennewick, WA | 453 miles | $774–$999 | 1–4 days |
| Butte, MT to Pasco, WA | 449 miles | $756–$1,047 | 1–4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Washington
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 Washington you should expect to pay between $1,188 and $1,609.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to Washington
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Evergreen 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 Washington.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Washington spans approximately 664 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 Washington 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 Washington should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Montana to Washington 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 Washington:
- 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 Washington
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 664 miles on your car going from Montana to Washington. 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 Washington 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 Washington?
- Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
- Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
- Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
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 Washington
About 22 million people are living in the Evergreen State of Washington. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in Washington?
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 Washington.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Washington?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, 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. Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Washington?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Washington is about 664 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Montana to Washington.
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.
In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Washington?
To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Washington after purchasing it.
If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.
