Montana to Washington Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 663 miles from Montana to Washington typically falls between $790 and $1,027. The process usually takes one–six 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 Washington 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 Washington car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Montana to Washington:
- 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
- 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
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Montana who can get your vehicle to Washington:
- 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 Washington
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Montana for a move to Washington, 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 is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 663 miles on your car going from Montana to Washington. 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 Washington, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Montana to Washington 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 Washington. The average travel distance is about 663 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Seattle, WA | $857 – $1,175 | 819 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Billings, MT to Spokane, WA | $672 – $938 | 541 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Billings, MT to Tacoma, WA | $855 – $1,205 | 832 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Billings, MT to Vancouver, WA | $870 – $1,198 | 895 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Billings, MT to Bellevue, WA | $857 – $1,236 | 813 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT to Seattle, WA | $669 – $909 | 475 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA | $438 – $552 | 197 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Tacoma, WA | $682 – $847 | 489 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Missoula, MT to Vancouver, WA | $662 – $1,017 | 552 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Missoula, MT to Bellevue, WA | $656 – $857 | 469 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT to Seattle, WA | $761 – $1,055 | 640 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Spokane, WA | $576 – $795 | 362 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Tacoma, WA | $767 – $1,070 | 653 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Vancouver, WA | $823 – $1,084 | 716 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Great Falls, MT to Bellevue, WA | $731 – $1,034 | 634 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT to Seattle, WA | $741 – $1,073 | 677 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Spokane, WA | $616 – $811 | 399 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Tacoma, WA | $765 – $1,139 | 690 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Vancouver, WA | $787 – $1,161 | 753 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Bellevue, WA | $752 – $1,048 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Washington
| From Montana to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT to Seattle, WA | $693 – $999 | 592 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to Spokane, WA | $514 – $722 | 314 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Butte, MT to Tacoma, WA | $702 – $1,079 | 606 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to Vancouver, WA | $775 – $1,124 | 669 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Butte, MT to Bellevue, WA | $700 – $1,009 | 586 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Washington
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 Washington, expect costs to range from $988 to $1,284.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Montana to Washington
When moving your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Evergreen State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- 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 Washington.
- Distance and route: The trip from Montana to Washington covers roughly 663 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Montana in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Montana and Washington.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–six days, while expedited service costs more.
Washington vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Washington, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
- Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
- Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
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 Washington
About 7.8 million people are living in the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Washington?
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 Washington.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Washington?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, 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.
Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Washington?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Washington is about 663 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Montana to Washington.
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 the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Washington?
To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Washington after purchasing it.
If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Washington?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Washington 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 Washington?
Shipping a car from Montana to Washington costs $790 to $1,027.
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