Montana to Tennessee Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,788 miles from Montana to Tennessee ranges from $1,229 to $1,646. Expect the trip to take around three–eleven 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee:
- 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 Tennessee:
- 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 Tennessee
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Montana to Tennessee, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,788 miles to your vehicle on the route from Montana to Tennessee. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Montana to Tennessee 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 service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Montana to Tennessee 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 Tennessee. The average journey covers about 1,788 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Tennessee
| From Montana to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Nashville, TN | $1,065 – $1,631 | 1,573 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Memphis, TN | $1,053 – $1,552 | 1,470 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Clarksville, TN | $1,043 – $1,490 | 1,529 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to Knoxville, TN | $1,205 – $1,646 | 1,750 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Billings, MT to Chattanooga, TN | $1,241 – $1,801 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Tennessee
| From Montana to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Nashville, TN | $1,212 – $1,839 | 1,914 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Memphis, TN | $1,206 – $1,752 | 1,811 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Clarksville, TN | $1,157 – $1,752 | 1,871 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Knoxville, TN | $1,317 – $2,058 | 2,091 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Chattanooga, TN | $1,229 – $1,901 | 2,044 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Tennessee
| From Montana to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Nashville, TN | $1,123 – $1,646 | 1,790 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Memphis, TN | $1,187 – $1,561 | 1,687 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Clarksville, TN | $1,123 – $1,663 | 1,746 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Knoxville, TN | $1,175 – $1,839 | 1,920 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Chattanooga, TN | $1,286 – $1,839 | 1,920 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Tennessee
| From Montana to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Nashville, TN | $1,229 – $1,681 | 1,714 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Memphis, TN | $1,142 – $1,660 | 1,609 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Clarksville, TN | $1,096 – $1,627 | 1,669 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Knoxville, TN | $1,157 – $1,788 | 1,889 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Chattanooga, TN | $1,157 – $1,752 | 1,843 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Tennessee
| From Montana to Tennessee | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Nashville, TN | $1,182 – $1,783 | 1,798 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Memphis, TN | $1,153 – $1,676 | 1,694 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Clarksville, TN | $1,123 – $1,715 | 1,754 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Knoxville, TN | $1,261 – $1,952 | 1,977 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to Chattanooga, TN | $1,187 – $1,839 | 1,927 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Tennessee
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 Tennessee, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,536–$2,058.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Tennessee
When moving your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Volunteer State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: 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 Tennessee.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Montana to Tennessee involves roughly 1,788 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Montana and Tennessee.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Montana to Tennessee takes three–eleven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Tennessee vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Tennessee, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
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 Tennessee
About 7.1 million people are living in the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Tennessee?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Tennessee, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, 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.
Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Tennessee?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Tennessee is about 1,788 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 Tennessee.
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 Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Tennessee?
To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Tennessee after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Tennessee after purchasing it.
When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Tennessee to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Tennessee?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Shipping a car from Montana to Tennessee costs $1,229 to $1,646.
