North Dakota to Montana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 524 miles from North Dakota to Montana typically falls between $616 and $864. 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 Montana to North Dakota 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 North Dakota to Montana 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 North Dakota to Montana:
- 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 North Dakota
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in North Dakota who can get your vehicle to Montana:
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 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 North Dakota to Montana
Ship it with your movers
When moving from North Dakota to Montana, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 524 miles to your vehicle on the route from North Dakota to Montana. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from North Dakota to Montana 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
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
North Dakota to Montana auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in North Dakota and Montana. Average distances are close to 524 miles, with delivery usually taking one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Fargo, ND to Montana
| From North Dakota to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND to Billings, MT | $684 – $1,030 | 609 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fargo, ND to Missoula, MT | $823 – $1,214 | 950 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fargo, ND to Great Falls, MT | $804 – $1,089 | 738 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fargo, ND to Bozeman, MT | $788 – $1,055 | 749 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fargo, ND to Butte, MT | $832 – $1,173 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bismarck, ND to Montana
| From North Dakota to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND to Billings, MT | $567 – $800 | 415 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Missoula, MT | $758 – $1,142 | 756 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Great Falls, MT | $628 – $886 | 544 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Bozeman, MT | $652 – $953 | 555 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Butte, MT | $691 – $1,058 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Forks, ND to Montana
| From North Dakota to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND to Billings, MT | $696 – $1,074 | 665 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Missoula, MT | $833 – $1,219 | 1,007 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Great Falls, MT | $751 – $1,097 | 751 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Bozeman, MT | $811 – $1,215 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Butte, MT | $831 – $1,216 | 890 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Minot, ND to Montana
| From North Dakota to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND to Billings, MT | $601 – $856 | 441 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minot, ND to Missoula, MT | $741 – $1,046 | 704 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minot, ND to Great Falls, MT | $635 – $859 | 540 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minot, ND to Bozeman, MT | $710 – $953 | 582 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Minot, ND to Butte, MT | $762 – $1,032 | 666 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from West Fargo, ND to Montana
| From North Dakota to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo, ND to Billings, MT | $712 – $951 | 601 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Missoula, MT | $808 – $1,303 | 943 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Great Falls, MT | $788 – $1,077 | 730 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Bozeman, MT | $742 – $1,133 | 741 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Butte, MT | $761 – $1,185 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Dakota to Montana
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 North Dakota to Montana, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $770–$1,080.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from North Dakota to Montana
When transporting your vehicle from the Peace Garden State to the Big Sky Country, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from North Dakota to Montana.
- Distance and route: The route from North Dakota to Montana is about 524 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of North Dakota, 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 North Dakota and Montana.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–six days, but expedited options cost more.
Montana vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Montana, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Montana must start their driver’s license application process within 60 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: In Montana, there is no state-level sales tax on vehicles, however, local governments in Montana may impose their own taxes and fees on vehicles.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from North Dakota
More than 783,926 people call North Dakota home. Nicknamed the Peace Garden State. North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
Transporting your vehicle to Montana
About 1.1 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in North Dakota and delivery in Montana?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in North Dakota and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Dakota to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Dakota to Montana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Montana, which you should verify before loading your car in North Dakota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from North Dakota to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Dakota to Montana is about 524 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from North Dakota to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in North Dakota, will I need one in Montana?
New residents in Montana must start their driver’s license application process within 60 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in North Dakota, will I be required to pay sales tax in Montana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from North Dakota to Montana after purchasing it.
In Montana, there is no state-level sales tax on vehicles, however, local governments in Montana may impose their own taxes and fees on vehicles.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both North Dakota and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota to Montana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota to Montana 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 North Dakota to Montana?
Shipping a car from North Dakota to Montana costs $616 to $864.
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