Montana to Louisiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,894 miles from Montana to Louisiana typically falls between $1,251 and $1,780. The process usually takes three–eleven 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana:
- 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
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Montana that can transport your vehicle to Louisiana:
- 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 Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Montana to Louisiana, 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,894 miles on your car going from Montana to Louisiana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Montana to Louisiana, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana. The trip typically spans 1,894 miles and takes about three–eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Louisiana
| From Montana to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to New Orleans, LA | $1,226 – $1,968 | 1,831 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,189 – $1,850 | 1,753 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Shreveport, LA | $1,139 – $1,562 | 1,515 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Metairie, LA | $1,264 – $1,874 | 1,828 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Lafayette, LA | $1,238 – $1,779 | 1,719 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Louisiana
| From Montana to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to New Orleans, LA | $1,355 – $2,150 | 2,175 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,275 – $1,952 | 2,096 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Shreveport, LA | $1,302 – $1,874 | 1,857 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Metairie, LA | $1,368 – $1,984 | 2,169 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Lafayette, LA | $1,262 – $1,952 | 2,060 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Louisiana
| From Montana to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to New Orleans, LA | $1,301 – $2,074 | 2,050 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,334 – $1,869 | 1,972 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Shreveport, LA | $1,238 – $1,708 | 1,732 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Metairie, LA | $1,249 – $2,074 | 2,045 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Lafayette, LA | $1,270 – $2,045 | 1,936 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Louisiana
| From Montana to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to New Orleans, LA | $1,231 – $1,947 | 1,973 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,277 – $1,912 | 1,895 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Shreveport, LA | $1,208 – $1,705 | 1,655 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Metairie, LA | $1,347 – $1,928 | 1,968 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Lafayette, LA | $1,277 – $1,874 | 1,859 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Louisiana
| From Montana to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to New Orleans, LA | $1,262 – $1,972 | 2,058 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,321 – $1,850 | 1,980 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Shreveport, LA | $1,238 – $1,744 | 1,740 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Metairie, LA | $1,327 – $2,054 | 2,052 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Lafayette, LA | $1,231 – $1,869 | 1,944 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Louisiana
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 Louisiana, the price usually falls between $1,564 and $2,225.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Louisiana
When moving your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Pelican State, several factors can affect the total shipping 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 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The route from Montana to Louisiana is about 1,894 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- 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 Louisiana.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Montana to Louisiana takes three–eleven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Louisiana 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: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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 limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Louisiana is about 1,894 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Montana to Louisiana.
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 Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Montana to Louisiana costs $1,251 to $1,780.
