Montana to Florida Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,480 miles from Montana to Florida ranges from $1,535 to $2,589 and takes 5–13 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 Florida to Montana car shipping guide.
Montana to Florida 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 Florida. The average travel distance is about 2,480 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 5 to 13 days.
Cost to ship a car from Billings, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | 2,162 miles | $1,665–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | 2,479 miles | $1,583–$2,589 | 5–13 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tampa, FL | 2,272 miles | $1,595–$2,446 | 5–13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | 2,257 miles | $1,692–$2,522 | 5–13 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | 2,295 miles | $1,692–$2,497 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Missoula, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | 2,505 miles | $1,633–$2,599 | 7–15 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | 2,822 miles | $1,721–$2,659 | 7–15 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tampa, FL | 2,616 miles | $1,614–$2,571 | 7–15 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | 2,599 miles | $1,552–$2,496 | 7–15 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | 2,638 miles | $1,715–$2,545 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Belgrade, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | 2,314 miles | $1,665–$2,444 | 5–13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | 2,631 miles | $1,698–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tampa, FL | 2,424 miles | $1,648–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | 2,407 miles | $1,632–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | 2,447 miles | $1,599–$2,460 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bozeman, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | 2,304 miles | $1,552–$2,547 | 5–13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | 2,621 miles | $1,715–$2,783 | 7–15 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tampa, FL | 2,414 miles | $1,632–$2,563 | 5–13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | 2,397 miles | $1,584–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | 2,437 miles | $1,664–$2,667 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Butte, MT to Florida
| From Montana to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT to Jacksonville, FL | 2,389 miles | $1,552–$2,572 | 5–13 days |
| Missoula, MT to Miami, FL | 2,705 miles | $1,650–$2,835 | 7–15 days |
| Belgrade, MT to Tampa, FL | 2,499 miles | $1,551–$2,512 | 5–13 days |
| Bozeman, MT to Orlando, FL | 2,482 miles | $1,696–$2,719 | 5–13 days |
| Butte, MT to St. Petersburg, FL | 2,522 miles | $1,584–$2,573 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Montana to Florida
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 Florida you should expect to pay between $1,919 and $3,236.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Montana to Florida
When transporting your vehicle from the Big Sky Country to the Sunshine 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 Florida.
- Distance and route: The journey from Montana to Florida spans approximately 2,480 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 Florida 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 Florida should take between 5 and 13 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Montana to Florida 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 Florida:
- 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 Florida
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,480 miles on your car going from Montana to Florida. 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 Florida 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 Florida?
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
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 Florida
About 22 million people are living in the Sunshine State of Florida. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Montana and when dropping off my car in Florida?
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 Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Montana to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Montana to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, 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. All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from Montana to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Montana to Florida is about 2480 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 5-13 days to travel from Montana to Florida.
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.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in Montana, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in Montana, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Montana to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Montana and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
