Big Sky Rides makes donating your car in Montana simple, local, and truly free. Whether you’re in Billings Heights, the Rattlesnake neighborhood of Missoula, the South Hills in Helena, Great Falls’ Fox Farm area, or out near Livingston, we come to you. You never pay for towing—your pickup is covered by the sale proceeds of your donated vehicle and is never billed back to you.
Here’s how it works: you call us or submit the online form, we confirm a pickup window that fits your schedule, and a local flatbed or hook-and-chain tow truck comes right to your address. The vehicle can be running or not, parked in your driveway, on the street (where legal), or at a shop. On pickup day, you simply leave the signed Montana title and keys where you and our driver agree—often in the vehicle or with a front-desk contact. In most Montana locations, from Kalispell and Whitefish to Bozeman and Belgrade, we can usually arrange pickup within a few business days, with very remote addresses sometimes taking a bit longer for routing.
How to schedule your free local pickup
1. Tell us about your vehicle and where in Montana it sits
Call or fill out our online form with your contact information, vehicle details, and exact pickup address—whether that’s a driveway in West Billings, a downtown Missoula apartment, or a farm road outside Havre. We’ll review basic info like year, make, model, and condition (running or not) so we can assign the right local towing partner and truck type for your specific Montana location.
2. Choose a pickup window that fits your Montana schedule
We’ll call to confirm a pickup window, usually within a few business days for most Montana towns and cities. In places like Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, and Great Falls, timing is often quicker; very rural spots along two-lane highways may take a little more routing time. We’ll work with you on morning or afternoon windows based on local tow-truck availability.
3. Prepare your Montana title, keys, and access
Before pickup, remove your personal belongings from the vehicle and locate your Montana title. You’ll sign it over following state guidelines and place it with the keys where the driver can access them—often inside the vehicle, with building staff, or in a secure agreed-on spot. Make sure gates are open or gate codes shared so our local flatbed driver can reach the car easily.
4. Park the car where a tow truck can safely reach it
Park your vehicle in an accessible spot: a driveway in the Heights, a side street off Russell Street in Missoula, a gravel pad outside Butte, or a lot in Kalispell. The truck needs space to back in and load. If you’re on a tight downtown street or steep mountain driveway, let us know ahead so we can plan appropriately and send the right truck configuration.
5. Let the local driver handle the rest—no payment, ever
On pickup day, you don’t have to be home if we have your signed title, keys, and clear instructions. The tow operator will load your car, finalize paperwork, and tow it at absolutely no cost to you. The towing fee is covered from the charity’s sale proceeds, not billed to you later. You’ll receive your donation acknowledgment for tax purposes after the vehicle is processed.
6. Receive your tax receipt from Big Sky Rides’ charity partner
After your vehicle sells, you’ll get a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3). Most donors can claim at least a $500 deduction; for values above $500, you’ll use IRS Form 1098-C. Keep this receipt with your tax records and talk with your tax professional about how your Montana car donation can benefit you at tax time.
Local pickup gotchas
Tight alleys, steep driveways, and downtown Montana parking
Tip: In parts of downtown Billings, Missoula’s Hip Strip, or older neighborhoods in Helena, alleys and street parking can be tricky for a flatbed. If access is tight or on a steep hill, tell us when scheduling. We may suggest moving the vehicle to a wider side street, lot, or driveway the truck can safely reach.
Locked gates, ranch roads, and long private driveways
Tip: Outside towns like Livingston, Dillon, or Miles City, vehicles often sit behind locked gates or down private roads. Make sure our driver has gate codes, lock combinations, or a contact person on-site. If snow, mud, or ice could affect access, let us know so we can plan the safest route and timing for your rural pickup.
Permit or HOA parking rules in Montana communities
Tip: Some condo complexes in Bozeman, Billings West End, or Great Falls have HOA or permit-parking rules that limit tow trucks on-site. Check with your property manager about the best place and time for pickup. If needed, move the car to a visitor lot or nearby street where a tow truck can legally and safely load your vehicle.
Missing or incorrect Montana title at pickup time
Tip: If your Montana title is lost, in a maiden name, or signed in the wrong place, it can delay or complicate the donation. Before we dispatch a truck, confirm you have the correct title and signatures as required by Montana MVD. If you’re unsure, ask us what sections typically need to be completed so pickup goes smoothly.
If at-home pickup is tricky
If at-home pickup is difficult for your situation, there are still easy ways to donate. Some Montana donors arrange to meet our tow truck at a friend’s house, a workplace lot, or a repair shop where the vehicle is already stored. In busier areas like downtown Missoula, central Bozeman, or near Rimrock Mall in Billings, a public lot or side street may be simpler than a cramped alley or garage. In very remote areas, you may prefer to drive the vehicle into a nearby town and meet our local towing partner there, reducing routing time while keeping your donation completely free.
Montana pickup coverage
Big Sky Rides serves donors across Montana—Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Kalispell, Butte, and beyond into the Hi-Line, Yellowstone Valley, Bitterroot, and Flathead regions. Pickups in and around major hubs like Billings West End, Missoula’s University District, and Bozeman’s Northside are often scheduled within a few business days, while far-out ranch roads and mountain cabins may need extra routing time. For Montana titles, you’ll typically sign the owner section on the back and remove your plates, as plates stay with you in Montana. After the tow, you can notify the Montana Motor Vehicle Division that you’ve transferred ownership for peace of mind.