Montana to Idaho Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 523 miles from Montana to Idaho ranges from $631 to $904 and takes one–six days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho to Montana car shipping guide.

The best Montana to Idaho car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Montana to Idaho:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Montana to Idaho

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 523 miles on your car going from Montana to Idaho. 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 need to ship your car from Montana for a move to Idaho, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Montana to Idaho 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!

MT to ID auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Montana and Idaho. The average travel distance is about 523 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Idaho

From Montana to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Billings, MT to Boise, ID $722 – $1,035 615 miles 1 – 6 days
Billings, MT to Meridian, ID $758 – $995 623 miles 1 – 6 days
Billings, MT to Nampa, ID $722 – $1,021 631 miles 1 – 6 days
Billings, MT to Idaho Falls, ID $507 – $693 339 miles 1 – 4 days
Billings, MT to Caldwell, ID $715 – $1,011 639 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Idaho

From Montana to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Missoula, MT to Boise, ID $552 – $771 363 miles 1 – 4 days
Missoula, MT to Meridian, ID $580 – $809 384 miles 1 – 4 days
Missoula, MT to Nampa, ID $580 – $753 375 miles 1 – 4 days
Missoula, MT to Idaho Falls, ID $523 – $679 312 miles 1 – 4 days
Missoula, MT to Caldwell, ID $541 – $771 367 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Great Falls, MT to Idaho

From Montana to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Great Falls, MT to Boise, ID $682 – $910 574 miles 1 – 6 days
Great Falls, MT to Meridian, ID $671 – $997 582 miles 1 – 6 days
Great Falls, MT to Nampa, ID $727 – $997 590 miles 1 – 6 days
Great Falls, MT to Idaho Falls, ID $564 – $801 359 miles 1 – 4 days
Great Falls, MT to Caldwell, ID $678 – $957 598 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Idaho

From Montana to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bozeman, MT to Boise, ID $673 – $916 476 miles 1 – 4 days
Bozeman, MT to Meridian, ID $673 – $863 484 miles 1 – 4 days
Bozeman, MT to Nampa, ID $622 – $846 493 miles 1 – 4 days
Bozeman, MT to Idaho Falls, ID $428 – $551 196 miles 1 – 4 days
Bozeman, MT to Caldwell, ID $618 – $859 500 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Idaho

From Montana to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Butte, MT to Boise, ID $617 – $828 419 miles 1 – 4 days
Butte, MT to Meridian, ID $646 – $843 428 miles 1 – 4 days
Butte, MT to Nampa, ID $585 – $869 436 miles 1 – 4 days
Butte, MT to Idaho Falls, ID $443 – $558 204 miles 1 – 4 days
Butte, MT to Caldwell, ID $640 – $852 444 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Idaho

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 Montana to Idaho you should expect to pay between $789 and $1,130.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MT to ID

When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Gem 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 Idaho.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Idaho spans approximately 523 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 Idaho 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 Idaho should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
  • Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
  • Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Montana

More than 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 Idaho

About 22 million people are living in the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Montana and delivery in Idaho?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Montana and when dropping it off in Idaho.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Idaho?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, 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.

Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.

How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Idaho?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Idaho is about 523 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Montana to Idaho.

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 Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.

If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Idaho?

If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.

If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Idaho after purchasing it.

New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Idaho?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Montana to Idaho 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 Montana to Idaho?

Shipping a car from Montana to Idaho costs $631 to $904.

Helpful Montana resources