Montana Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth shipment to or from Montana:

• Remove personal belongings. Carriers are not licensed to transport personal items inside your vehicle. Remove everything from the interior and trunk before pickup.
• Document existing damage. Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before it’s loaded. This protects you if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Keep the gas tank about a quarter full. Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the car, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your alarm. An alarm that goes off in transit can cause major delays. Disable it or leave instructions for the driver.
• Ensure the car is operable. Make sure your vehicle starts, runs, and the brakes work properly. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment and may cost more to ship.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues. Carriers can refuse a vehicle that is actively leaking fluids, as it can damage other cars on the trailer.
• Fold in your mirrors and note any low clearance issues. This is especially helpful for open transport on Montana’s rural routes.

For more helpful advice, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. And if you’re ready to get started, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in Sherpa Auto Transport’s network is required to carry cargo insurance, so your car is protected while it’s on the truck.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers we work with must meet minimum insurance requirements before they can move your vehicle. This coverage applies for the duration of the haul — whether your car is heading to Montana or leaving it.
• Sherpa’s added protection: On top of the carrier’s policy, Sherpa provides an additional layer of coverage for extra peace of mind. You’re not just relying on a single policy.

Before your vehicle is loaded, we strongly recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection with the driver. Note any existing scratches, dents, or damage on the Bill of Lading — this is your official record. When your car is delivered, compare its condition to that report. If anything looks different, note it on the Bill of Lading before the driver leaves.

For more helpful tips on preparing for your shipment, check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. And if you have more questions, visit our FAQs or get a free quote today.

For most Montana auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan routes to and from Montana’s more rural areas, where pickup availability can be limited compared to major metro markets.

Here are a few timing guidelines to keep in mind:

• Standard shipments: 1–2 weeks of lead time is usually sufficient.
• Summer (peak season): Demand spikes June through August. Book 2–3 weeks ahead to lock in your preferred dates.
• Winter shipments: Montana winters can cause route delays and reduced carrier availability. Give yourself 2–4 weeks, especially for mountain corridor routes.
• Snowbird season (fall/spring): Carriers get busy as people relocate. Earlier is always better.

The bottom line: The more lead time you give, the more flexibility you have — and the better your chances of securing a competitive rate. Because Montana is a large, sparsely populated state, carriers may need extra time to build a full load along your route.

Ready to plan ahead? Get a free quote today and check out our Price Lock Promise — we guarantee your quoted price won’t change at pickup.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

When shipping your car to or from Montana, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed auto transport.

Open transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you see hauling cars on the highway every day. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like weather and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road hazards. This option costs more — typically 30–40% higher than open transport — but it’s the preferred choice for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with high sentimental or monetary value.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Open Transport: Lower cost, widely available, great for everyday vehicles
• Enclosed Transport: Higher cost, maximum protection, ideal for high-value or classic cars

Not sure which option is right for your Montana shipment? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide for a full comparison. When you’re ready, get a free quote and we’ll help you find the best fit for your vehicle and budget.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service to and from Montana. That means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any other convenient location — and deliver it directly to your chosen destination, without you ever needing to drop it off at a terminal.

Montana is a large, rural state, so door-to-door service is especially valuable here. However, keep in mind that “door-to-door” doesn’t always mean the driver can pull right up to your front door. Large car carriers need room to maneuver safely. If your street is narrow or hard to access, your driver may ask to meet at a nearby open area, like a parking lot or wide intersection. This is completely normal and still counts as door-to-door service.

Here are a few things to know before your pickup or delivery in Montana:

• Be flexible with your location. Have a backup meeting spot in mind, just in case.
• Be available at pickup and delivery. You or a trusted representative should be present to hand over and receive the keys.
• Inspect your vehicle. Always do a thorough walkaround and note any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading before the driver leaves.

Want to know what it will cost? Use our instant quote tool to get a fast, transparent price. And with our Price Lock Promise, the price you’re quoted is the price you pay — no surprise fees at delivery.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!