Texas to Montana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,414 miles from Texas to Montana typically falls between $1,109 and $1,603. The process usually takes three–eight 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 Texas 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 Texas to Montana car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Texas 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 Texas
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Texas that can transport your vehicle to Montana:
- New World Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Lepke Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- San Antonio Auto Shipping Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Auto Transport Co: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Thrifty Auto Shipping, Inc.: 3.62 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 Texas to Montana
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Texas 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
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,414 miles to your car on the trip from Texas to Montana. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Texas to Montana. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
Texas to Montana auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Texas and Montana. The trip typically spans 1,414 miles and takes about three–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to Montana
| From Texas to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Billings, MT | $1,111 – $1,588 | 1,562 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Houston, TX to Missoula, MT | $1,252 – $1,843 | 1,904 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Houston, TX to Great Falls, MT | $1,232 – $1,702 | 1,779 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Houston, TX to Bozeman, MT | $1,232 – $1,649 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Houston, TX to Butte, MT | $1,208 – $1,667 | 1,787 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to Montana
| From Texas to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX to Billings, MT | $1,014 – $1,618 | 1,462 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Missoula, MT | $1,172 – $1,792 | 1,804 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Great Falls, MT | $1,098 – $1,581 | 1,691 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Bozeman, MT | $1,190 – $1,631 | 1,615 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Butte, MT | $1,144 – $1,631 | 1,699 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to Montana
| From Texas to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX to Billings, MT | $1,040 – $1,421 | 1,328 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Missoula, MT | $1,179 – $1,680 | 1,670 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Dallas, TX to Great Falls, MT | $1,078 – $1,619 | 1,545 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Dallas, TX to Bozeman, MT | $1,077 – $1,478 | 1,469 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Butte, MT | $1,056 – $1,572 | 1,553 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to Montana
| From Texas to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX to Billings, MT | $1,077 – $1,571 | 1,451 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Missoula, MT | $1,197 – $1,847 | 1,806 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Austin, TX to Great Falls, MT | $1,133 – $1,581 | 1,680 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Austin, TX to Bozeman, MT | $1,214 – $1,614 | 1,603 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Austin, TX to Butte, MT | $1,179 – $1,647 | 1,688 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to Montana
| From Texas to Montana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX to Billings, MT | $991 – $1,571 | 1,302 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Missoula, MT | $1,156 – $1,631 | 1,643 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Great Falls, MT | $1,145 – $1,524 | 1,519 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Bozeman, MT | $1,035 – $1,525 | 1,442 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Butte, MT | $1,156 – $1,635 | 1,526 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas to Montana
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 Texas to Montana you should expect to pay between $1,386 and $2,004.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Texas to Montana
If you’re shipping a car from the Lone Star State to the Big Sky Country, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Montana.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Texas to Montana involves roughly 1,414 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Texas 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 Texas and Montana.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Texas to Montana should take between three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Montana vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Montana, 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: 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 Texas
More than 30.5 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
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 Texas 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 Texas and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas 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 Texas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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 Texas to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to Montana is about 1,414 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Texas to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in Texas, 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to Montana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Texas 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 Texas to Montana?
Shipping a car from Texas to Montana costs $1,109 to $1,603.
300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205 US
5460 Babcock Rd #120-C, San Antonio, TX 78240 US
2201 Main St #205, Dallas, TX 75201 US