Montana to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,307 miles from Montana to California ranges from $1,223 to $1,959 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 California to Montana car shipping guide.
Montana to California 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 California. The average travel distance is about 1,307 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to California
| From Montana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Los Angeles, CA | 1,235 miles | $1,106–$1,853 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Diego, CA | 1,299 miles | $1,141–$1,693 | 3–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to San Jose, CA | 1,196 miles | $1,035–$1,738 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Francisco, CA | 1,167 miles | $1,056–$1,620 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Fresno, CA | 1,247 miles | $1,187–$1,853 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to California
| From Montana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Los Angeles, CA | 1,210 miles | $1,129–$1,746 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Diego, CA | 1,271 miles | $1,199–$1,764 | 3–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to San Jose, CA | 1,009 miles | $960–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Francisco, CA | 977 miles | $1,034–$1,589 | 2–7 days |
| Butte, MT to Fresno, CA | 1,058 miles | $1,039–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to California
| From Montana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Los Angeles, CA | 1,096 miles | $940–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Diego, CA | 1,158 miles | $1,110–$1,738 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to San Jose, CA | 1,058 miles | $1,029–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Francisco, CA | 1,025 miles | $950–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Fresno, CA | 1,105 miles | $1,067–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to California
| From Montana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Los Angeles, CA | 1,095 miles | $970–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Diego, CA | 1,158 miles | $1,089–$1,637 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to San Jose, CA | 1,058 miles | $940–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Francisco, CA | 1,025 miles | $1,029–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Fresno, CA | 1,105 miles | $1,121–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to California
| From Montana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Los Angeles, CA | 1,102 miles | $1,024–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Missoula, MT to San Diego, CA | 1,164 miles | $1,046–$1,704 | 2–8 days |
| Belgrade, MT to San Jose, CA | 1,064 miles | $1,010–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
| Bozeman, MT to San Francisco, CA | 1,032 miles | $1,010–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
| Butte, MT to Fresno, CA | 1,112 miles | $1,110–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to California
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 California you should expect to pay between $1,529 and $2,449.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to California spans approximately 1,307 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 California 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 California should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Montana to California 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 Montana to California:
- 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 California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,307 miles on your car going from Montana to California. 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 California 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 California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
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 California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in California?
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 California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, 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. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to California is about 1307 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 California.
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and California to avoid any hidden costs.
