Montana to Florida Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 2,478 miles from Montana to Florida usually costs between $1,318 and $2,071. Transit time is about five–thirteen days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida 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
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- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Montana to Florida 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 Montana to Florida:
- 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 Montana
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Montana that can relocate your vehicle to Florida:
- Turbo Auto Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Big Sky Auto Transport: 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 Montana to Florida
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Montana to Florida, 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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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 2,478 miles to your vehicle on the route from Montana to Florida. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Montana to Florida. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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.
Montana to Florida auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Montana and Florida. The trip typically spans 2,478 miles and takes about five–thirteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | $1,242 – $1,972 | 2,163 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Miami, FL | $1,254 – $2,133 | 2,482 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to Tampa, FL | $1,327 – $2,119 | 2,273 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to Orlando, FL | $1,276 – $2,038 | 2,256 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Billings, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,340 – $2,058 | 2,296 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Jacksonville, FL | $1,255 – $2,038 | 2,505 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | $1,363 – $2,239 | 2,824 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tampa, FL | $1,359 – $2,163 | 2,615 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Orlando, FL | $1,319 – $2,120 | 2,598 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Missoula, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,399 – $2,058 | 2,638 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Jacksonville, FL | $1,267 – $2,017 | 2,380 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Miami, FL | $1,399 – $2,121 | 2,699 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Tampa, FL | $1,292 – $2,010 | 2,490 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Orlando, FL | $1,216 – $2,051 | 2,473 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Great Falls, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,358 – $2,120 | 2,513 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Jacksonville, FL | $1,344 – $2,078 | 2,303 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Miami, FL | $1,399 – $2,100 | 2,622 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Tampa, FL | $1,279 – $1,969 | 2,413 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | $1,267 – $2,017 | 2,396 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,254 – $2,133 | 2,436 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Jacksonville, FL | $1,216 – $2,058 | 2,388 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Miami, FL | $1,431 – $2,202 | 2,707 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Butte, MT to Tampa, FL | $1,241 – $1,969 | 2,498 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Orlando, FL | $1,279 – $2,010 | 2,481 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | $1,229 – $2,018 | 2,521 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Florida
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Montana to Florida, expect costs to range from $1,648 to $2,589.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Florida
If you’re shipping a car from the Big Sky Country to the Sunshine State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- 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 Florida.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Montana to Florida involves roughly 2,478 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Montana around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Montana and Florida 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 five–thirteen days, while expedited service costs more.
Florida vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Florida, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
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 Florida
About 22.6 million people are living in the Sunshine State. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Florida?
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 Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, 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.
All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Florida is about 2,478 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from Montana to Florida.
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.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Florida?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Florida 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 Florida?
Shipping a car from Montana to Florida costs $1,318 to $2,071.
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