Montana to North Carolina Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 2,113 miles from Montana to North Carolina typically falls between $1,268 and $1,932. The process usually takes four–twelve 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Montana to North Carolina:
- 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
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Montana ready to move your vehicle to North Carolina:
- 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 North Carolina
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Montana for a move to North Carolina, 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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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,113 miles on your car to travel between Montana and North Carolina. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Montana to North Carolina. 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 North Carolina auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Montana and North Carolina. Average distances are close to 2,113 miles, with delivery usually taking four–twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to North Carolina
| From Montana to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Charlotte, NC | $1,212 – $1,971 | 1,985 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Raleigh, NC | $1,254 – $1,940 | 2,035 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Greensboro, NC | $1,175 – $1,802 | 1,961 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Durham, NC | $1,305 – $2,038 | 2,013 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Billings, MT to Winston-Salem, NC | $1,286 – $1,877 | 1,936 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to North Carolina
| From Montana to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Charlotte, NC | $1,293 – $1,956 | 2,326 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Raleigh, NC | $1,267 – $2,017 | 2,377 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Greensboro, NC | $1,242 – $2,099 | 2,303 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Durham, NC | $1,255 – $1,936 | 2,355 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Winston-Salem, NC | $1,225 – $2,099 | 2,277 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to North Carolina
| From Montana to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Charlotte, NC | $1,293 – $1,992 | 2,135 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Raleigh, NC | $1,268 – $1,932 | 2,186 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Greensboro, NC | $1,255 – $1,992 | 2,112 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Durham, NC | $1,318 – $1,952 | 2,164 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Winston-Salem, NC | $1,217 – $1,960 | 2,086 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to North Carolina
| From Montana to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Charlotte, NC | $1,204 – $2,012 | 2,125 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Raleigh, NC | $1,268 – $2,052 | 2,175 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Greensboro, NC | $1,306 – $1,972 | 2,101 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Durham, NC | $1,242 – $2,012 | 2,153 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Winston-Salem, NC | $1,279 – $1,882 | 2,076 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to North Carolina
| From Montana to North Carolina | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Charlotte, NC | $1,213 – $2,079 | 2,209 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Raleigh, NC | $1,289 – $2,079 | 2,260 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Butte, MT to Greensboro, NC | $1,255 – $1,952 | 2,186 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Durham, NC | $1,264 – $1,917 | 2,238 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Butte, MT to Winston-Salem, NC | $1,293 – $1,972 | 2,161 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to North Carolina
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 North Carolina, expect costs to range from $1,585 to $2,415.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to North Carolina
If you’re shipping a car from the Big Sky Country to the Tar Heel State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- 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 North Carolina.
- Distance and route: The trip from Montana to North Carolina covers roughly 2,113 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- 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 North Carolina 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 four–twelve days, while expedited service costs more.
North Carolina vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in North Carolina, 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: Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
- Vehicle inspection: Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
- Driver’s license: New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
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 North Carolina
About 10.8 million people are living in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to North Carolina?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to North Carolina, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to North Carolina, 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.
Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state insurance requirements.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to North Carolina?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to North Carolina is about 2,113 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Montana to North Carolina.
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.
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in North Carolina?
New residents in North Carolina are obligated to transfer their license or ID within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in North Carolina after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to North Carolina after purchasing it.
If you're relocating to North Carolina, you're required to pay vehicle tax. However, you have the option to defer this payment by obtaining a limited registration plate, which will expire 60 days after it's issued. It's important to note that you must pay the property tax before the sticker on the plate reaches its expiration date.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and North Carolina to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to North Carolina?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Shipping a car from Montana to North Carolina costs $1,268 to $1,932.
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