Ship a car from Montreal to Calgary
Need to get your car from Montreal to Calgary? You don’t have to white-knuckle it across five provinces to make that happen.
Let Reindeer Logistics handle the drive so you don’t have to.
We get it. You’ve probably already looked at the map. Montreal to Calgary is roughly 3,700 kilometres of highway, that’s close to 36 hours of straight driving and nobody is doing that without stopping. By the time you factor in hotels and gas station coffee, and the mental fatigue of navigating through northern Ontario in the middle of January, the whole idea starts losing its charm real quick.
There’s a better way.
At Reindeer Logistics, we ship vehicles across Canada every single day. Whether you’re relocating to Alberta for work, moving a company fleet, or you bought a car out of province and just need it brought home, we can help. Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Why ship your car instead of driving?
The drive
Let's face it. The drive from Montreal to Calgary sounds like an adventure until you're actually doing it. Multiple days behind the wheel with weather changing every few hundred kilometres, and a whole lot of nothing between Sudbury and Winnipeg. It gets old fast.
The time
Save yourself the time. Most people really underestimate how long this drive takes when they first look at it. You're crossing Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and then finally into Alberta. Ship your vehicle and it'll be waiting for you when you arrive in Calgary, you can fly there in a few hours instead of spending days on the road.
The wear and tear
Your car stays in way better shape, too. Nearly 3,700 kilometres of wear on your vehicle is a lot of mileage on the odometer. Not to mention the risk of something going wrong mechanically when you're stuck somewhere remote in northern Ontario or out on the prairies. Shipping protects your car from all of that.
The math
And the math often works out better than you'd think. Gas across five provinces, meals on the road, multiple hotel nights, time off work. When you actually add all that up, shipping starts looking pretty reasonable. Get a quote and compare for yourself.
Things to think about before you book
Before you commit, there are a few things worth thinking through.
Your timeline
If you need your car in Calgary by a specific date, say so upfront when you request your quote. Planning ahead just makes everything go smoother and we’ll give you a realistic transit window so you can plan around it on your end.
Budget
For most people, this is the big one. You want to compare quotes from a few different companies before making any decisions. At Reindeer, we offer free quotes so you can see exactly what you’re looking at before committing to anything. It takes less than 60 seconds.
Weather and seasons
Here’s the deal. Canadian weather does not care about your timeline. Snow through northern Ontario, ice storms out on the prairies, wind in Saskatchewan that can shake a trailer. The season you ship matters so keep that in mind when you’re planning your move. Your relocation coordinator will keep you posted if conditions affect your transit window at all.
Insurance
Always ask about insurance before you sign anything. This is important. At Reindeer, we require all carriers to carry minimum levels of liability and cargo insurance. If something happens during transport you want to know you’re covered. We take this seriously and vet every single carrier we work with.
Open vs. enclosed transport
You’ve got two options for how your vehicle gets moved across the country. Both work well, it really just depends on what matters most to you and what kind of vehicle you’re shipping.
Open vehicle carriers
This is the most common way to ship. Your vehicle gets loaded onto a two-level trailer along with other vehicles. No roof or sides on the trailer so your car is exposed to the elements during the trip.
Open transport is more fuel-efficient, which usually means it costs less. And drivers can actually keep an eye on your vehicle throughout the journey since everything is visible. For most standard cars, trucks and SUVs this is gonna be the way to go.
Enclosed vehicle carriers
If you’ve got something special, maybe a classic car or a luxury vehicle you really don’t want exposed to road debris and weather, then enclosed is the answer. Your car rides inside a fully covered trailer protected on all sides from everything.
It does cost more than open. But for high-value vehicles or specialty cars, the added protection is often worth it. Your relocation coordinator can help you figure out which option makes the most sense.
Shipping time from Montreal to Calgary
The exact timeline depends on a few things. Weather conditions, road closures and seasonal demand all play a role. Some of this is predictable and some of it isn’t. That’s just the reality of cross-country transport.
When you book you’ll get a transit window from your relocation coordinator. They’ll keep you updated throughout the move so you know when to expect your car in Calgary. No guessing, no refreshing a tracking page wondering what’s going on.
How the whole process works
Never shipped a vehicle before? Here’s what to expect when you go with Reindeer Logistics. The whole thing is simpler than most people think.
Get your free quote. Everything starts here. We just need some basic info from you, your vehicle’s make and model and year, what condition it’s in, the pickup and drop off postal codes, when you want it picked up and delivered, any special considerations like aftermarket modifications. It takes about 60 seconds.
Connect with your relocation coordinator. Once you book, you get paired with a dedicated coordinator. This is your person throughout the whole move. They handle scheduling, answer your questions, coordinate with carriers, and keep you updated the entire way from Montreal to Calgary. No automated phone systems and no getting passed around between departments. Just one person who knows your shipment inside and out.
Our team has handled thousands of vehicle moves across Canada. You’re in good hands.
Prep your car. Before pickup day, there are some things you’ll need to do on your end. More on that below. You or someone you designate will need to be present for an exterior inspection in Montreal. You’ll walk around the vehicle and note any existing damage and then sign a bill of lading. After that, your car heads west toward Alberta.
Track your vehicle. Once your car leaves Montreal, you won’t be left wondering where it is. Your coordinator keeps you updated as it moves through Ontario, across the prairies, and into Alberta.
Final inspection in Calgary. We deliver seven days a week during daylight hours. You’ll get a call or text at least an hour before delivery so you can be there to receive it.
Just like in Montreal, you’ll do an inspection when your car arrives. Check it over, make sure everything matches up with the original bill of lading. Sign off and grab your keys and you’re done. Simple as that.
Shipping cost from Montreal to Calgary
Cost depends on several factors, distance being the obvious one. But it’s also impacted by:
- Vehicle size
- Weight
- Pickup location
- Delivery location
- Transportation method
The best way to know what you’re looking at is to just get a quote for your specific move. It takes less than 60 seconds and it’s completely free.
How to get your car ready for shipping
This part is on you, but it’s really not that complicated.
Wash your car
Makes the inspection way easier and you don't need to get it detailed or anything, just clean enough so the exterior is clearly visible. If it's winter, clear off any ice and snow before the carrier arrives.
Check the fuel gauge
No more than one quarter tank for a cross-country move. You need enough gas for loading and unloading but you don't want so much that it adds unnecessary weight to the trailer.
Take out personal items
Everything. Console, trunk, backseat, all of it. You can't store personal belongings in the vehicle during transport so make sure it's all cleared out.
Disable your alarm
Nobody wants the alarm going off randomly in the middle of transport, that's a headache for everyone. Turn it off and let the carrier know if there's special instructions.
Find your spare keys
You'll need to give a set to the carrier. Keep your key fob or remote if they don't actually need it to operate the vehicle.
Remove exterior accessories
Bike racks, ski racks, tonneau covers, bug shields, spoilers. If it's not permanently attached it needs to come off before loading day.
Check your fluids
This route crosses a lot of different climates and weather between Quebec and Alberta can change fast, especially through the northern stretches. Make sure coolant and antifreeze levels are where they should be.
Charge your EV
If you drive an electric vehicle, make sure it's charged to at least 80% and leave the charger in the vehicle.
Why choose Reindeer
We’ve been doing this for over 20 years. Moved vehicles all across North America and we’re a proud member of the Canadian Association of Movers. Over 500,000 vehicles shipped across Canada, the United States, and worldwide. Here’s why people keep choosing us.
We move pretty much anything. If it’s got wheels we can ship it
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Rvs
- You name it!
You talk to real people. No automated phone trees. Your relocation coordinator is a real person who actually knows what’s happening with your shipment and can give you a straight answer when you need one.
We’re flexible. Plans change and we get that. Same-day pickup when available, door-to-door service, weekend delivery. We work around your schedule, not the other way around.
Real-time tracking. Wondering where your car is at 2 am? Call your coordinator. We keep you in the loop from the moment it leaves Montreal to the moment it arrives in Calgary.
Fully insured carriers. Every carrier we work with meets our insurance requirements, no exceptions. Your vehicle is protected from Quebec all the way through to Alberta.
Ready to Get Started?
Moving your car from Montreal to Calgary doesn’t have to be stressful. Ship it with Reindeer Logistics and it’ll be waiting for you in Alberta when you get there.
It takes less than 60 seconds to get a free quote.
Why choose us
At Reindeer, we have over 20 years of experience handling Canadian car shipments, including long-distance moves. We’re also a proud member of the Canadian Association of Movers.
01
real.
When you work with Reindeer Logistics you will never encounter a maze of computer recordings or an automated telephone system. No matter when you call, you will talk with a real, live person who is trained to guide you through the auto relocation process.
02
personal.
All our customers are assigned a relocation coordinator whose main objective is to anticipate and accommodate your every need. Your coordinator will be dedicated to you from pick up to delivery, ensuring that your car is where you want it, when you want it.
03
service.
Reindeer’s commitment to constant product and service improvement is the ultimate demonstration of our promise of delivery, quality, predictability and status.