Ohio to Montana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,643 miles from Ohio to Montana usually costs between $1,223 and $1,691. Transit time is about three–nine 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 Montana to Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio to Montana:
- 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 Ohio
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Ohio who can get your vehicle to Montana:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- USTA Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Tiger Auto Transport: 3.52 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 Ohio to Montana
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Ohio to Montana, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,643 miles on your car to travel between Ohio and Montana. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Ohio 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
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.
Ohio to Montana auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Ohio and Montana. The average journey covers about 1,643 miles and takes roughly three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Columbus, OH to Montana
| From Ohio to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH to Billings, MT | $1,235 – $1,794 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbus, OH to Missoula, MT | $1,285 – $1,872 | 1,948 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Columbus, OH to Great Falls, MT | $1,228 – $1,711 | 1,735 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbus, OH to Bozeman, MT | $1,266 – $1,837 | 1,746 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbus, OH to Butte, MT | $1,305 – $1,802 | 1,831 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cleveland, OH to Montana
| From Ohio to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH to Billings, MT | $1,176 – $1,712 | 1,598 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Missoula, MT | $1,337 – $1,872 | 1,931 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Great Falls, MT | $1,253 – $1,729 | 1,727 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Bozeman, MT | $1,303 – $1,873 | 1,729 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Butte, MT | $1,318 – $1,916 | 1,823 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cincinnati, OH to Montana
| From Ohio to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH to Billings, MT | $1,129 – $1,646 | 1,511 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Missoula, MT | $1,318 – $1,935 | 1,887 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Great Falls, MT | $1,151 – $1,691 | 1,675 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Bozeman, MT | $1,163 – $1,760 | 1,686 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Butte, MT | $1,241 – $1,801 | 1,735 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Toledo, OH to Montana
| From Ohio to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH to Billings, MT | $1,095 – $1,565 | 1,498 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Toledo, OH to Missoula, MT | $1,266 – $1,821 | 1,831 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Toledo, OH to Great Falls, MT | $1,151 – $1,777 | 1,627 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Toledo, OH to Bozeman, MT | $1,259 – $1,725 | 1,639 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Toledo, OH to Butte, MT | $1,266 – $1,747 | 1,723 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Akron, OH to Montana
| From Ohio to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH to Billings, MT | $1,223 – $1,674 | 1,611 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Akron, OH to Missoula, MT | $1,272 – $1,990 | 1,953 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Akron, OH to Great Falls, MT | $1,278 – $1,855 | 1,750 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Akron, OH to Bozeman, MT | $1,290 – $1,801 | 1,752 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Akron, OH to Butte, MT | $1,330 – $1,897 | 1,845 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Ohio to Montana
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Ohio to Montana, the price usually falls between $1,529 and $2,114.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Ohio to Montana
When moving your vehicle from the Buckeye State to the Big Sky Country, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed 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 Montana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Ohio to Montana spans approximately 1,643 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio and Montana may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–nine days, but expedited options cost more.
Montana vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Montana, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 Ohio
More than 11.8 million people call Ohio home. Nicknamed the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
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 Ohio 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 Ohio and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Ohio to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Ohio 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 Ohio.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
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 Ohio to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Ohio to Montana is about 1,643 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Ohio to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in Ohio, 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio to Montana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio 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 Ohio to Montana?
Shipping a car from Ohio to Montana costs $1,223 to $1,691.
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