Louisiana to Montana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,894 miles from Louisiana to Montana ranges from $1,184 to $1,902 and takes three–eleven days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Montana to Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Montana car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Louisiana to Montana:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Louisiana
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Louisiana can deliver your vehicle to Montana:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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 Louisiana to Montana
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Louisiana 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.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,894 extra miles on your car to travel from Louisiana to Montana. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Louisiana to Montana, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Louisiana 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 Louisiana and Montana. The average journey covers about 1,894 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to Montana
| From Louisiana to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Billings, MT | $1,234 – $1,829 | 1,834 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Missoula, MT | $1,284 – $1,916 | 2,176 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Great Falls, MT | $1,257 – $2,064 | 2,051 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Bozeman, MT | $1,302 – $1,862 | 1,975 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Butte, MT | $1,308 – $2,064 | 2,059 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to Montana
| From Louisiana to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA to Billings, MT | $1,197 – $1,736 | 1,756 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Missoula, MT | $1,232 – $1,985 | 2,097 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Great Falls, MT | $1,289 – $1,805 | 1,973 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Bozeman, MT | $1,184 – $1,829 | 1,896 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Butte, MT | $1,227 – $1,862 | 1,980 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to Montana
| From Louisiana to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA to Billings, MT | $1,167 – $1,651 | 1,516 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Missoula, MT | $1,283 – $1,756 | 1,858 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Great Falls, MT | $1,161 – $1,788 | 1,733 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Bozeman, MT | $1,214 – $1,597 | 1,656 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Butte, MT | $1,137 – $1,667 | 1,741 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Metairie, LA to Montana
| From Louisiana to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA to Billings, MT | $1,258 – $1,865 | 1,829 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Metairie, LA to Missoula, MT | $1,284 – $1,997 | 2,171 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Metairie, LA to Great Falls, MT | $1,283 – $1,885 | 2,046 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Metairie, LA to Bozeman, MT | $1,214 – $1,843 | 1,970 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Metairie, LA to Butte, MT | $1,219 – $2,064 | 2,054 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to Montana
| From Louisiana to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA to Billings, MT | $1,220 – $1,806 | 1,720 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Missoula, MT | $1,334 – $1,985 | 2,062 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Great Falls, MT | $1,289 – $1,881 | 1,937 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Bozeman, MT | $1,258 – $1,847 | 1,861 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Butte, MT | $1,227 – $1,976 | 1,945 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Montana, the price usually falls between $1,480 and $2,378.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Louisiana to Montana
If you’re shipping a car from the Pelican State to the Big Sky Country, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Montana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Louisiana to Montana spans approximately 1,894 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 Louisiana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Louisiana and Montana may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is three–eleven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Montana vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Montana, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Louisiana
More than 4.6 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
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 Louisiana to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to Montana is about 1,894 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Louisiana to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in Louisiana, 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Montana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Montana?
Shipping a car from Louisiana to Montana costs $1,184 to $1,902.
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