Moving from Montana to Texas ($4,000-$8,750)
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The cost to move from Montana to Texas ranges from $4,000 to $8,750 with full-service movers, based on 869 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Rather than quote you a flat average, our moving cost calculator factors in your exact distance, home size, and move date to price this specific Montana to Texas route. This 1,435-mile route guide draws on our review of 11 movers based in Montana.
How much does it cost to move from Montana to Texas?
The average cost of moving from Montana to Texas with full-service movers typically ranges between $4,000 to $8,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 869 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,435 miles.
The final price of your Montana to Texas move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,750 - $6,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,000 - $8,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,750 - $12,500 |
How much do moving containers cost from Montana to Texas?
A moving container from Montana to Texas costs between $1,000 and $5,500, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $2,000 to $4,000, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,435-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,750 - $5,500 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Montana to Texas?
A rental truck from Montana to Texas costs between $1,025 and $2,700. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $1,100 to $2,125, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Montana averaging $3.02 per gallon, fuel for the 1,435-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,025 - $1,825 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,100 - $2,125 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,325 - $2,700 |
Add-on costs for a Montana to Texas move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 1,435 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Montana to Texas route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 1,435 miles, a Montana to Texas move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Texas. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Texas's cost of living sits roughly 7% below Montana's, which pulls destination-side fees like shuttle service and storage near Houston down. Origin-side labor in Montana stays the expensive half of this route, so packing services and stair carries at pickup deserve the closest scrutiny on your quote.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Montana to Texas) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $650 - $1,650 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $425 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $875 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $275 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $225 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $150 - $400 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $175 - $525 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $825 - $1,250 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 1,435-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Montana to Texas estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Montana to Texas Movers
Compare movers for your Montana to Texas move
We've vetted the long-distance movers operating out of Montana, so you can shortlist a few before requesting quotes for your Texas move:
1620 Rodgers Street, Missoula, MT 59802
9562 Futurity Dr Suite B, Missoula, MT 59808
1414 N Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59601
523 Business Hub Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714
209 Commerce, Missoula, MT 59808
Alternate Montana to Texas moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Montana to Texas move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Montana run $59 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Texas end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Montana on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Texas for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $321 - $835 to rent in Montana, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 869 real quotes from Montana to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Texas to Montana guide.
Montana to Texas cost of living comparison
Cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle tend to drive most state-to-state moves, which is why we track moving trends across every major U.S. route. Here's how Montana stacks up against Texas on the factors that matter most for this move:
| Factor | Montana | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 93 |
| Average household income | $66,341 | $73,035 |
| Median home value | $462,631 | $300,267 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | 6.75% | 0.0% |
Texas's cost of living index of 93 is lower than Montana's 100, making affordability a common driver of this move. Lower housing costs and everyday expenses can offset the upfront cost of a long-distance move within the first 1 - 2 years.
Getting to know Texas
Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State. People who've made this move point to favorable climate, delicious barbecue, and low taxes as the biggest draws. Edwards Plateau in west central Texas is the top sheep growing area in the country.
Coming from Montana, where winters average 12°F, expect winters in Texas to run about 24° milder. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: The Lewis and Clark expedition stopped at Travelers Rest in Lolo, Montana. This is the only site that has physical proof of the presence of these explorers.
Moving from Montana to Texas FAQs
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book your 1,435-mile Montana to Texas move 4 - 8 weeks in advance for off-season dates (October - April), and 8 - 12 weeks in advance for peak season dates (mid-May - mid-September). Booking earlier gives you better availability, lower rates, and more flexibility on pickup and delivery dates.
Texas sees hurricane season from June through November, when carrier capacity and routing into the state can tighten with little notice. If your move date falls in that window, book on the earlier end of the range above and confirm your mover's weather-delay policy up front.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
On a 1,435-mile Montana to Texas move, the hidden fees most likely to add to your bill are access fees, shuttle service, fuel surcharges, specialty-item handling, and storage-in-transit. Here's what each one actually runs on this specific route:
- Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carries): $75 - $225 when the truck can't load directly at either end.
- Long carry (over 75 ft): $125 - $375, priced off Texas's local labor rates since it's typically charged at delivery.
- Shuttle service: $175 - $525 when the moving truck can't reach your home directly.
- Fuel surcharges: 10% - 22% of the transportation charge on a route this length, which works out to roughly $400 - $1,925 on this move.
- Specialty-item handling (piano, safe, pool table): $300 - $875 per item.
- Storage-in-transit (per month): $150 - $400.
Ask your mover for a complete fee schedule in writing before booking, and confirm which of these are already built into your Montana to Texas quote versus billed separately.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like a Montana to Texas relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Montana: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). In Texas: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Montana to Texas move?
People making the Montana to Texas move are often chasing ample economic opportunity in Texas — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for a Montana to Texas move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 55% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
Should I ship my car when moving from Montana to Texas?
The choice to ship your car versus drive it yourself mostly boils down to distance, how much time you have, and how many vehicles are making the trip. Auto transport for a Montana to Texas move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport on the lower end and enclosed transport for higher-value vehicles running more.
Most people shipping their car on a long-distance move do so when the drive would take more than 2 days, they're relocating more than 1 vehicle, or they'd rather fly directly to Texas and start settling in without a multi-day drive. If you can make the drive in a day, driving yourself is usually cheaper.
See our Montana car shipping guide for vetted auto transport companies and current pricing for this route.
Popular Montana to Texas moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Montana to Texas corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
- Billings, MT to Houston, TX Movers
- Missoula, MT to Houston, TX Movers
- Billings, MT to San Antonio, TX Movers
- Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX Movers
- Billings, MT to Dallas, TX Movers
- Missoula, MT to Dallas, TX Movers
- Billings, MT to Austin, TX Movers
- Billings, MT to Fort Worth, TX Movers
- Missoula, MT to Austin, TX Movers
- Missoula, MT to Fort Worth, TX Movers
- Browse All Montana Routes
Moving from Montana to Texas: the bottom line
The cost to move from Montana to Texas ranges from $4,000 - $8,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,435-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
