Montana to Texas Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,435 miles from Montana to Texas usually costs between $1,045 and $1,556. Transit time is about three–eight days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Texas 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 Texas car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Montana to Texas:
- 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
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Montana that can transport your vehicle to Texas:
- 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 Texas
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Montana to Texas, 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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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,435 miles on your car going from Montana to Texas. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Montana to Texas for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Montana to Texas auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Montana and Texas. The average travel distance is about 1,435 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | $1,167 – $1,572 | 1,563 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Billings, MT to San Antonio, TX | $1,066 – $1,603 | 1,483 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Dallas, TX | $1,030 – $1,466 | 1,329 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Austin, TX | $1,035 – $1,540 | 1,472 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Billings, MT to Fort Worth, TX | $1,001 – $1,421 | 1,302 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Houston, TX | $1,202 – $1,805 | 1,904 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | $1,246 – $1,792 | 1,825 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Dallas, TX | $1,214 – $1,647 | 1,670 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Missoula, MT to Austin, TX | $1,209 – $1,865 | 1,813 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Missoula, MT to Fort Worth, TX | $1,214 – $1,664 | 1,644 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Houston, TX | $1,208 – $1,719 | 1,780 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Great Falls, MT to San Antonio, TX | $1,232 – $1,754 | 1,701 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Dallas, TX | $1,145 – $1,572 | 1,546 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Austin, TX | $1,190 – $1,647 | 1,689 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Fort Worth, TX | $1,078 – $1,572 | 1,519 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Houston, TX | $1,208 – $1,806 | 1,702 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Antonio, TX | $1,202 – $1,697 | 1,623 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Dallas, TX | $1,066 – $1,618 | 1,469 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | $1,121 – $1,714 | 1,612 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Fort Worth, TX | $1,014 – $1,494 | 1,442 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Houston, TX | $1,161 – $1,649 | 1,787 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Butte, MT to San Antonio, TX | $1,137 – $1,684 | 1,708 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Dallas, TX | $1,078 – $1,667 | 1,554 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Austin, TX | $1,098 – $1,680 | 1,696 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | $1,145 – $1,603 | 1,527 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Texas
Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Montana to Texas you should expect to pay between $1,306 and $1,945.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Texas
Transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Lone Star State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Texas than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Texas spans approximately 1,435 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Montana and Texas 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 three–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
Texas vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Texas, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
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 Texas
About 30.5 million people are living in the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Texas?
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 Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, 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.
Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Texas is about 1,435 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 Texas.
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 Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Texas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Texas 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 Texas?
Shipping a car from Montana to Texas costs $1,045 to $1,556.
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