Montana to Alabama Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,948 miles from Montana to Alabama ranges from $1,187 to $1,877. Expect the trip to take around three–eleven days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Alabama to Montana 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 Montana to Alabama car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Montana to Alabama:
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Montana
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Montana that can transport your vehicle to Alabama:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Turbo Auto Transport
5001 49th St. SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
turboautotransport.com
3.56 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise the service as the best in Great Falls, Montana, highlighting exceptional customer service and expertise in truck and trailer repairs. Some emphasize the positive atmosphere and helpful staff, underscoring their willingness to assist with vehicle needs. However, no significant complaints or issues were noted, indicating overall satisfaction with the services provided.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1482475
Alternative Business Names
- Turbo Transportation Group, LLC
Big Sky Auto Transport
4825 53rd Avenue SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 US
bigskyautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers overwhelmingly praise Big Sky Auto Transport for their excellent communication, timely service, and the professionalism of their drivers. Many noted the special attention provided by the staff, making the process smooth and reassuring. However, some reviews did not mention any significant negatives, indicating overall satisfaction with the service.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 598761
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 Montana to Alabama
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Montana to Alabama, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,948 miles on your car going from Montana to Alabama. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Montana to Alabama. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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!
Montana to Alabama auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Montana and Alabama. The average journey covers about 1,948 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Alabama
| From Montana to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Huntsville, AL | $1,119 – $1,643 | 1,688 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Montgomery, AL | $1,205 – $1,783 | 1,794 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Birmingham, AL | $1,217 – $1,783 | 1,705 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Mobile, AL | $1,194 – $1,734 | 1,849 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,119 – $1,627 | 1,698 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Alabama
| From Montana to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Huntsville, AL | $1,229 – $1,980 | 2,029 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Montgomery, AL | $1,331 – $1,952 | 2,135 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Birmingham, AL | $1,279 – $1,862 | 2,046 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Mobile, AL | $1,204 – $1,972 | 2,191 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,305 – $1,980 | 2,040 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Alabama
| From Montana to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Huntsville, AL | $1,199 – $1,783 | 1,905 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Montgomery, AL | $1,242 – $1,862 | 2,011 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Birmingham, AL | $1,261 – $1,952 | 1,922 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Mobile, AL | $1,279 – $1,862 | 2,075 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,261 – $1,839 | 1,915 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Alabama
| From Montana to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Huntsville, AL | $1,157 – $1,806 | 1,828 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Montgomery, AL | $1,175 – $1,783 | 1,934 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Birmingham, AL | $1,279 – $1,879 | 1,845 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Mobile, AL | $1,261 – $1,933 | 1,998 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,267 – $1,734 | 1,847 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Alabama
| From Montana to Alabama | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Huntsville, AL | $1,236 – $1,877 | 1,912 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Montgomery, AL | $1,254 – $1,960 | 2,028 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Birmingham, AL | $1,273 – $1,802 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Mobile, AL | $1,229 – $1,940 | 2,074 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Tuscaloosa, AL | $1,273 – $1,971 | 1,923 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Alabama
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Montana to Alabama, the price usually falls between $1,484 and $2,346.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Alabama
Transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Heart of Dixie comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Alabama.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Montana to Alabama involves roughly 1,948 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Montana and Alabama may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eleven days, while expedited service costs more.
Alabama vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Alabama, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
- Additional taxes: In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Montana
More than 1.1 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 Alabama
About 5.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Alabama?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Montana and when dropping it off in Alabama.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Alabama?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Alabama, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Alabama, 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Alabama?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Alabama is about 1,948 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Montana to Alabama.
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 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 I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Alabama?
When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Alabama after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Alabama after purchasing it.
In Alabama, a 2% state sales tax is levied on the purchase of vehicles, including off-road motorcycles and ATVs. With the addition of city and county vehicle sales taxes, the total sales tax owed will amount to between 3.375% and 4% of the vehicle's cost.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Alabama to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Alabama?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Alabama 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 Montana to Alabama?
Shipping a car from Montana to Alabama costs $1,187 to $1,877.
