Montana to Idaho Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 522 miles from Montana to Idaho typically falls between $596 and $871. The process usually takes one–six days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho 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 Idaho car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Montana to Idaho:
- 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
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Montana can deliver your vehicle to Idaho:
- 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 Idaho
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Montana for a move to Idaho, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 522 extra miles on your car to travel from Montana to Idaho. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Montana to Idaho. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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 Idaho 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 Idaho. The average journey covers about 522 miles and takes roughly one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Idaho
| From Montana to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Boise, ID | $724 – $1,008 | 614 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Meridian, ID | $717 – $969 | 622 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Nampa, ID | $739 – $974 | 630 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Idaho Falls, ID | $489 – $731 | 338 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Billings, MT to Caldwell, ID | $689 – $954 | 638 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Idaho
| From Montana to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Boise, ID | $565 – $721 | 363 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Meridian, ID | $547 – $780 | 384 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Nampa, ID | $587 – $780 | 375 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Idaho Falls, ID | $509 – $655 | 311 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Caldwell, ID | $538 – $721 | 366 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Idaho
| From Montana to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Boise, ID | $677 – $895 | 574 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Meridian, ID | $715 – $942 | 582 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Nampa, ID | $647 – $923 | 590 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Idaho Falls, ID | $559 – $765 | 359 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Caldwell, ID | $701 – $970 | 598 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Idaho
| From Montana to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Boise, ID | $637 – $875 | 476 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Meridian, ID | $618 – $815 | 484 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Nampa, ID | $649 – $849 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Idaho Falls, ID | $396 – $569 | 196 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Caldwell, ID | $602 – $819 | 500 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Idaho
| From Montana to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Boise, ID | $571 – $822 | 419 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Butte, MT to Meridian, ID | $611 – $797 | 427 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Butte, MT to Nampa, ID | $623 – $821 | 436 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Butte, MT to Idaho Falls, ID | $431 – $576 | 204 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Butte, MT to Caldwell, ID | $599 – $772 | 443 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Idaho
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Montana to Idaho, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $745–$1,089.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Idaho
When arranging car transport from the Big Sky Country to the Gem State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Idaho than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The trip from Montana to Idaho covers roughly 522 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Montana in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Montana and Idaho.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Montana to Idaho takes one–six days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Idaho means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance requirements: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
- Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a 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 Idaho
About 2.0 million people are living in the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Idaho?
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 Idaho.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Idaho?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, 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.
Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Idaho?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Idaho is about 522 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Montana to Idaho.
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 Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Idaho?
If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Idaho after purchasing it.
New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Idaho?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Idaho 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 Idaho?
Shipping a car from Montana to Idaho costs $596 to $871.
