Montana to Texas Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,427 miles from Montana to Texas ranges from $1,343 to $1,921 and takes 3–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Texas to Montana car shipping guide.
Montana to Texas auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Montana and Texas. The average travel distance is about 1,427 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | 1,577 miles | $1,344–$2,019 | 3–9 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | 1,475 miles | $1,343–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Dallas, TX | 1,328 miles | $1,235–$1,903 | 3–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | 1,461 miles | $1,303–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | 1,302 miles | $1,260–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | 1,924 miles | $1,545–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | 1,816 miles | $1,507–$2,326 | 3–11 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Dallas, TX | 1,670 miles | $1,427–$2,054 | 3–9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | 1,804 miles | $1,523–$2,212 | 3–11 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | 1,644 miles | $1,384–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | 1,713 miles | $1,417–$2,078 | 3–9 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | 1,625 miles | $1,470–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Dallas, TX | 1,479 miles | $1,369–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | 1,613 miles | $1,513–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | 1,468 miles | $1,277–$1,843 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | 1,703 miles | $1,552–$2,230 | 3–9 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | 1,615 miles | $1,470–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Dallas, TX | 1,469 miles | $1,316–$2,037 | 3–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | 1,603 miles | $1,456–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | 1,442 miles | $1,251–$1,979 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Texas
| From Montana to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Houston, TX | 1,787 miles | $1,417–$2,100 | 3–11 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Antonio, TX | 1,699 miles | $1,412–$2,033 | 3–9 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Dallas, TX | 1,553 miles | $1,330–$2,079 | 3–9 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Austin, TX | 1,687 miles | $1,398–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
| Butte, MT to Fort Worth, TX | 1,527 miles | $1,372–$1,900 | 3–9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Texas
Since vehicles like SUV, 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 Montana to Texas you should expect to pay between $1,679 and $2,401.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to Texas
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Lone Star State, 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: 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 Texas.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Texas spans approximately 1,427 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 Montana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Montana and Texas and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Montana to Texas should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Montana to Texas car shipping companies
|
|
|
|
rating
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Montana to Texas:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Montana to Texas
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,427 miles on your car going from Montana to Texas. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Montana to Texas for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Montana to Texas?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Montana
Over 39 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 Texas
About 22 million people are living in the Lone Star State of Texas. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in Texas?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Montana and when dropping it off in Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Texas is about 1427 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Montana to Texas.
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 Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
