Alabama to Montana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,957 miles from Alabama to Montana falls between $1,296 and $1,908. Delivery typically takes three–eleven days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Montana to Alabama car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Alabama to Montana car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Alabama to Montana:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Alabama
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Alabama who can get your vehicle to Montana:
- US AutoLogistics: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vehicle Transport Services: 3.5 out of 5 stars
US AutoLogistics
3101 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
usal.com
3.52 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 357779
Global Auto Transportation
1101 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 US
globalautotransportation.com/birmingham-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
The company generally provides responsive service with competitive pricing and timely vehicle deliveries, though some customers experienced issues with customer service and communication during the process.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
Vehicle Transport Services
2700 Corporate Dr Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 US
vehicletransportservices.co/birmingham-alabama-companies
3.5 / 5.0
Vehicle Transport Services Birmingham has garnered positive feedback for their excellent shipping service and overall customer satisfaction. However, there are notable concerns about their customer support being unhelpful and lacking adequate time to address customer inquiries regarding future shipments.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2249744
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Alabama to Montana
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Alabama to Montana, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,957 miles on your car going from Alabama to Montana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Alabama to Montana is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Alabama to Montana auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Alabama and Montana. The average journey covers about 1,957 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Montana
| From Alabama to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Billings, MT | $1,149 – $1,722 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Missoula, MT | $1,288 – $2,115 | 2,025 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Great Falls, MT | $1,321 – $1,967 | 1,900 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Bozeman, MT | $1,239 – $1,930 | 1,823 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Huntsville, AL to Butte, MT | $1,321 – $1,869 | 1,908 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Montana
| From Alabama to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL to Billings, MT | $1,327 – $1,893 | 1,801 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Missoula, MT | $1,342 – $2,129 | 2,143 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Great Falls, MT | $1,353 – $2,095 | 2,018 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Bozeman, MT | $1,219 – $1,908 | 1,942 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Butte, MT | $1,249 – $2,013 | 2,026 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Montana
| From Alabama to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL to Billings, MT | $1,238 – $1,726 | 1,713 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Missoula, MT | $1,275 – $2,095 | 2,054 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Great Falls, MT | $1,270 – $1,869 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Bozeman, MT | $1,315 – $1,855 | 1,853 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Butte, MT | $1,283 – $1,869 | 1,939 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Montana
| From Alabama to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL to Billings, MT | $1,289 – $1,799 | 1,857 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Mobile, AL to Missoula, MT | $1,276 – $1,984 | 2,199 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Mobile, AL to Great Falls, MT | $1,353 – $2,034 | 2,074 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Mobile, AL to Bozeman, MT | $1,283 – $2,025 | 1,998 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Mobile, AL to Butte, MT | $1,249 – $1,952 | 2,082 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Montana
| From Alabama to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Billings, MT | $1,202 – $1,815 | 1,706 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Missoula, MT | $1,288 – $2,135 | 2,048 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Great Falls, MT | $1,257 – $1,947 | 1,923 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Bozeman, MT | $1,226 – $1,874 | 1,847 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Butte, MT | $1,219 – $1,947 | 1,931 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama to Montana
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Alabama to Montana, the price usually falls between $1,620 and $2,385.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Alabama to Montana
When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie to the Big Sky Country, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 Montana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Alabama to Montana spans approximately 1,957 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Alabama more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Alabama and Montana may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Alabama to Montana takes three–eleven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Montana vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Montana, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Montana must start their driver’s license application process within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: In Montana, there is no state-level sales tax on vehicles, however, local governments in Montana may impose their own taxes and fees on vehicles.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Alabama
More than 5.1 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie. Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
Transporting your vehicle to Montana
About 1.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Alabama and delivery in Montana?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Alabama and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama to Montana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Montana, which you should verify before loading your car in Alabama.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Alabama to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Montana is about 1,957 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Alabama to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in Alabama, will I need one in Montana?
New residents in Montana must start their driver’s license application process within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Alabama, will I be required to pay sales tax in Montana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Alabama to Montana after purchasing it.
In Montana, there is no state-level sales tax on vehicles, however, local governments in Montana may impose their own taxes and fees on vehicles.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Alabama and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Montana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Alabama to Montana is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Alabama to Montana?
Shipping a car from Alabama to Montana costs $1,296 to $1,908.
