Virginia to Montana Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,061 miles from Virginia to Montana ranges from $1,583 to $2,374 and takes 4–12 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 Montana to Virginia car shipping guide.
Virginia to Montana auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and Montana. The average travel distance is about 2,061 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Montana
| From Virginia to Montana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Billings, MT | 2,150 miles | $1,649–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Missoula, MT | 2,492 miles | $1,566–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| Arlington, VA to Belgrade, MT | 2,300 miles | $1,600–$2,702 | 5–13 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, MT | 2,290 miles | $1,709–$2,547 | 5–13 days |
| Richmond, VA to Butte, MT | 2,374 miles | $1,616–$2,728 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Montana
| From Virginia to Montana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Billings, MT | 2,148 miles | $1,681–$2,438 | 4–12 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Missoula, MT | 2,490 miles | $1,631–$2,667 | 5–13 days |
| Arlington, VA to Belgrade, MT | 2,298 miles | $1,692–$2,444 | 5–13 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, MT | 2,289 miles | $1,595–$2,676 | 5–13 days |
| Richmond, VA to Butte, MT | 2,372 miles | $1,698–$2,494 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Montana
| From Virginia to Montana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Billings, MT | 1,951 miles | $1,624–$2,297 | 3–11 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Missoula, MT | 2,287 miles | $1,709–$2,522 | 5–13 days |
| Arlington, VA to Belgrade, MT | 2,101 miles | $1,552–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, MT | 2,092 miles | $1,615–$2,374 | 4–12 days |
| Richmond, VA to Butte, MT | 2,175 miles | $1,681–$2,642 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Montana
| From Virginia to Montana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Billings, MT | 2,142 miles | $1,552–$2,540 | 4–12 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Missoula, MT | 2,484 miles | $1,566–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| Arlington, VA to Belgrade, MT | 2,293 miles | $1,709–$2,444 | 5–13 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, MT | 2,282 miles | $1,660–$2,676 | 5–13 days |
| Richmond, VA to Butte, MT | 2,367 miles | $1,714–$2,494 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Montana
| From Virginia to Montana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Billings, MT | 2,050 miles | $1,599–$2,524 | 4–12 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Missoula, MT | 2,385 miles | $1,681–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
| Arlington, VA to Belgrade, MT | 2,200 miles | $1,627–$2,650 | 4–12 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, MT | 2,190 miles | $1,633–$2,667 | 4–12 days |
| Richmond, VA to Butte, MT | 2,275 miles | $1,546–$2,624 | 5–13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Montana
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 Virginia to Montana you should expect to pay between $1,979 and $2,968.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Virginia to Montana
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion 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: 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 Virginia to Montana spans approximately 2,061 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia and Montana 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 Virginia to Montana should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Virginia to Montana car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia to Montana:
- 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 Virginia to Montana
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,061 miles on your car going from Virginia to Montana. 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 Virginia to Montana 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 Virginia to Montana?
- 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 Virginia
Over 39 million people call Virginia home. Nicknamed the Old Dominion State, Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
Transporting your vehicle to Montana
About 22 million people are living in the Big Sky Country of Montana. 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 picking up my car in Virginia and when dropping off my car in Montana?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in Montana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Montana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia 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 Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Montana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Montana is about 2061 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from Virginia to Montana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
If you are moving to Montana, you are not required to have your vehicle inspected.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia 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 Virginia and Montana to avoid any hidden costs.
