Moving from Minnesota to Montana ($1,340-$6,150)
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The cost to move from Minnesota to Montana ranges from $1,340 to $6,150 with full-service movers, based on 1,053 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Minnesota to Montana route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Montana?
The average cost of moving from Minnesota to Montana with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,340 to $6,150 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,053 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 793 miles.
The final price of your Minnesota to Montana move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,340 - $4,230 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,590 - $6,150 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,130 - $8,270 |
How much do moving containers cost from Minnesota to Montana?
A moving container from Minnesota to Montana costs between $800 and $3,540, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,470 to $2,710, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 793-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $800 - $1,940 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,470 - $2,710 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,870 - $3,540 |
51% of movers in Minnesota offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Minnesota to Montana?
A rental truck from Minnesota to Montana costs between $570 and $1,640. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $630 to $1,300, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Minnesota averaging $2.87 per gallon, fuel for the 793-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $570 - $1,030 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $630 - $1,300 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $760 - $1,640 |
Add-on costs for a Minnesota to Montana move
Most Minnesota to Montana estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 793-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 793 miles, a Minnesota to Montana move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Montana. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Montana's cost of living runs about 6% above Minnesota's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Billings. Origin-side labor in Minnesota is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Minnesota to Montana) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $520 - $1,360 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $400 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $320 - $870 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $260 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $80 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $180 - $430 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $580 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $460 - $690 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 793-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Minnesota to Montana estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
82% of movers in Minnesota handle piano moves, 22% handle pool tables, and 45% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 33% of Minnesota movers require a deposit to book, and 27% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Minnesota to Montana Movers
These movers average a 86% positive review rate among Minnesota movers we track.
Compare movers for your Minnesota to Montana move
We've vetted the long-distance movers operating out of Minnesota, so you can shortlist a few before requesting quotes for your Montana move:
24% of Minnesota movers we track offer instant online quotes, below the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
949 Schaller Dr, S Maplewood, MN 55119
121 N Washington Ave Suite 229, Minneapolis, MN 55401
416 Northeast 35th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55418
4121 US-14, Rochester, MN 55901
3401 West Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337
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Alternate Minnesota to Montana moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Minnesota to Montana move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Minnesota run $60 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Montana end. 55% of movers in Minnesota offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Minnesota on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Montana for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $317 - $817 to rent in Minnesota, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1,053 real quotes from Minnesota to Montana, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montana to Minnesota guide.
Minnesota to Montana cost of living comparison
Cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle tend to drive most state-to-state moves, which is why we track moving trends across every major U.S. route. Here's how Minnesota stacks up against Montana on the factors that matter most for this move:
| Factor | Minnesota | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 94 | 100 |
| Average household income | $84,313 | $66,341 |
| Median home value | $334,119 | $462,631 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 6.75% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,178 | $974 |
| Average sales tax | 8.03% | 0.0% |
| Crime index | 22.47 | 23.37 |
| College graduation rate | 38.9% | 34.8% |
| Population | 5,737,915 | 1,132,812 |
Montana has a higher cost of living than Minnesota, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Minnesota.
Montana's largest industries are Real estate and rental and leasing ($7.1 billion), Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($5.4 billion), and Professional and business services ($3.9 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Minnesota to Montana
Are full-service movers worth it for a Minnesota to Montana move?
People making this move are often chasing unmatched natural beauty in Montana.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 55% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
How long does it take to move from Minnesota to Montana?
A full-service Minnesota to Montana move typically takes 2 - 7 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance, your mover's routing, and whether your shipment is consolidated with others. Moving containers take longer, typically 1 - 2 weeks from loading to delivery since they ship by scheduled ground freight. Rental trucks give you the most control since you drive directly, but add 1 - 2 days depending on distance.
Should I ship my car when moving from Minnesota to Montana?
Whether to ship your car or drive it comes down to distance, timeline, and vehicle count. Auto transport for a Minnesota to Montana move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport cheaper than enclosed. Most people ship when the drive would take more than 2 days, or they're relocating more than 1 vehicle.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book 4-8 weeks ahead for off-season moves (October-April), or 8-12 weeks ahead for peak season (mid-May-mid-September). This 793-mile route runs Minnesota to Montana.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Minnesota at Minnesota's official regulatorandin Montana at Montana's official regulator.
Popular Minnesota to Montana moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Minnesota to Montana corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Minnesota to Montana: the bottom line
The cost to move from Minnesota to Montana ranges from $1,340 - $6,150 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 793-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
