Montana to Kentucky Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,718 miles from Montana to Kentucky ranges from $1,253 to $1,765. Expect the trip to take around three–nine 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- 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
Top local car shippers in Montana
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Montana ready to move your vehicle to Kentucky:
- 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 Kentucky
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Montana to Kentucky, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,718 miles to your car on the trip from Montana to Kentucky. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Montana to Kentucky. 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 Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Montana and Kentucky. Average distances are close to 1,718 miles, with delivery usually taking three–nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Kentucky
| From Montana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Louisville, KY | $1,095 – $1,630 | 1,506 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Lexington, KY | $1,223 – $1,743 | 1,601 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Bowling Green, KY | $1,106 – $1,597 | 1,555 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Owensboro, KY | $1,150 – $1,565 | 1,474 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Covington, KY | $1,095 – $1,597 | 1,508 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Kentucky
| From Montana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Louisville, KY | $1,266 – $1,954 | 1,868 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Lexington, KY | $1,246 – $2,030 | 1,925 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Bowling Green, KY | $1,254 – $1,859 | 1,896 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Owensboro, KY | $1,254 – $1,916 | 1,816 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Covington, KY | $1,343 – $1,991 | 1,867 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Kentucky
| From Montana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Louisville, KY | $1,163 – $1,656 | 1,677 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Lexington, KY | $1,179 – $1,783 | 1,752 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Bowling Green, KY | $1,266 – $1,837 | 1,772 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Owensboro, KY | $1,199 – $1,691 | 1,691 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Covington, KY | $1,199 – $1,743 | 1,676 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Kentucky
| From Montana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Louisville, KY | $1,247 – $1,674 | 1,649 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Lexington, KY | $1,253 – $1,783 | 1,727 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Bowling Green, KY | $1,223 – $1,743 | 1,695 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Owensboro, KY | $1,247 – $1,794 | 1,614 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Covington, KY | $1,211 – $1,812 | 1,665 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Kentucky
| From Montana to Kentucky | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Louisville, KY | $1,303 – $1,729 | 1,753 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Lexington, KY | $1,215 – $1,840 | 1,826 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Bowling Green, KY | $1,278 – $1,891 | 1,768 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Owensboro, KY | $1,163 – $1,743 | 1,699 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Covington, KY | $1,278 – $1,711 | 1,733 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Kentucky
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 Kentucky, the price usually falls between $1,566 and $2,206.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Kentucky spans approximately 1,718 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- 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: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Montana to Kentucky, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Montana to Kentucky takes three–nine days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Kentucky, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
- Vehicle inspection: When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
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 Kentucky
About 4.5 million people are living in the Bluegrass State. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kentucky rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, 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 insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Kentucky is about 1,718 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Montana to Kentucky.
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.
When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Kentucky after purchasing it.
In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Shipping a car from Montana to Kentucky costs $1,253 to $1,765.
