Montana to Illinois Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,357 miles from Montana to Illinois ranges from $1,010 to $1,511. Expect the trip to take around three–eight 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois:
- 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 Illinois:
- 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 Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Montana to Illinois, 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,357 miles to your car on the trip from Montana to Illinois. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Montana to Illinois is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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 Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Montana and Illinois. The typical distance is about 1,357 miles, with shipping times generally falling between three and eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Illinois
| From Montana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Chicago, IL | $924 – $1,357 | 1,225 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Aurora, IL | $924 – $1,443 | 1,216 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Joliet, IL | $924 – $1,486 | 1,247 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Naperville, IL | $924 – $1,386 | 1,227 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Rockford, IL | $882 – $1,380 | 1,151 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Illinois
| From Montana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL | $1,167 – $1,588 | 1,566 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Missoula, MT to Aurora, IL | $1,056 – $1,619 | 1,558 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Missoula, MT to Joliet, IL | $1,122 – $1,524 | 1,588 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Missoula, MT to Naperville, IL | $1,111 – $1,635 | 1,569 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Missoula, MT to Rockford, IL | $1,045 – $1,587 | 1,493 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Illinois
| From Montana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Chicago, IL | $1,010 – $1,436 | 1,375 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Aurora, IL | $961 – $1,496 | 1,367 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Joliet, IL | $941 – $1,466 | 1,397 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Naperville, IL | $1,001 – $1,556 | 1,378 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Rockford, IL | $1,020 – $1,511 | 1,302 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Illinois
| From Montana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Chicago, IL | $991 – $1,571 | 1,365 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Aurora, IL | $971 – $1,496 | 1,356 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Joliet, IL | $1,020 – $1,466 | 1,387 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Naperville, IL | $951 – $1,541 | 1,367 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Rockford, IL | $971 – $1,400 | 1,291 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Illinois
| From Montana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Chicago, IL | $1,035 – $1,525 | 1,450 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Butte, MT to Aurora, IL | $1,056 – $1,556 | 1,441 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Butte, MT to Joliet, IL | $1,109 – $1,494 | 1,471 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Butte, MT to Naperville, IL | $1,066 – $1,587 | 1,452 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Butte, MT to Rockford, IL | $1,001 – $1,511 | 1,376 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Illinois
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 Illinois, the price usually falls between $1,263 and $1,889.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Illinois
If you’re shipping a car from the Big Sky Country to the Land of Lincoln, 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Illinois.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Montana to Illinois involves roughly 1,357 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Montana in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Montana and Illinois.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Illinois, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
- Driver’s license: Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
- Additional taxes: According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
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 Illinois
About 12.5 million people are living in the Land of Lincoln. Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Illinois?
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 Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Illinois, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Illinois, 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.
The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Illinois is about 1,357 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Montana to Illinois.
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 Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Illinois?
Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Illinois after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Illinois after purchasing it.
According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Illinois 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 Illinois?
Shipping a car from Montana to Illinois costs $1,010 to $1,511.
