$1,174 Car Shippers from Montana to California (2024 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 1307 miles from Montana to California ranges from $1,174 to $1,685 and takes 3-8 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Montana car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Montana to California
Because the distance between Montana to California is about 1307 miles, it’ll take from 3 to 8 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to California
- Billings to Los Angeles: $1,117 to $1,659
- Billings to San Diego: $1,106 to $1,609
- Billings to San Jose: $1,024 to $1,651
- Billings to San Francisco: $1,014 to $1,651
- Billings to Fresno: $1,150 to $1,726
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to California
- Missoula to Los Angeles: $1,040 to $1,676
- Missoula to San Diego: $1,139 to $1,592
- Missoula to San Jose: $940 to $1,430
- Missoula to San Francisco: $888 to $1,465
- Missoula to Fresno: $959 to $1,504
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to California
- Belgrade to Los Angeles: $1,054 to $1,508
- Belgrade to San Diego: $963 to $1,587
- Belgrade to San Jose: $959 to $1,445
- Belgrade to San Francisco: $950 to $1,504
- Belgrade to Fresno: $1,014 to $1,635
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to California
- Bozeman to Los Angeles: $1,034 to $1,667
- Bozeman to San Diego: $1,024 to $1,603
- Bozeman to San Jose: $922 to $1,490
- Bozeman to San Francisco: $912 to $1,445
- Bozeman to Fresno: $1,034 to $1,651
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to California
- Butte to Los Angeles: $994 to $1,667
- Butte to San Diego: $1,034 to $1,603
- Butte to San Jose: $978 to $1,564
- Butte to San Francisco: $978 to $1,415
- Butte to Fresno: $1,004 to $1,635
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Montana to California
Since vehicles such as 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 California you should expect to pay between $1,468 and $2,106.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to California
- Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
- Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from Montana to California tend to be a little higher in the summer.
- Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to California will cost.
- 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 California should take between 3 and 8 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Montana and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from Montana to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Montana to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Montana to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Montana to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Montana and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Montana to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Montana to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Montana car shippers you should use.
The best car shipping from Montana to California
A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:
- Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
- Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
- Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
- Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
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How car shipping from Montana to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Montana to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Montana where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from Montana to California?
- Car Insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle Inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s License: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional Taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Montana to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 1307 miles on your car going from Montana to California. 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 California for you. It’s an option…
- 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!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from Montana to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in California?
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 California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to California, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Montana.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Montana to California being about 1307 miles, that’s as fast as about 3 days. But most car transporting companies will take 3-8 days to go from Montana to California.
