How to Ship a Car to Hawaii

Shipping a car to Hawaii works pretty much the same way as transporting a vehicle to other states. You don’t need to worry about many details because you pay one of the best car shipping companies to handle the logistics. However, there are two things unique about Hawaii car transport: it takes a long time and is super expensive. The earlier you get started, the sooner your vehicle arrives—and the more you can save.

1. Understand the basics
2. Pick a shipment date
3. Choose a company
4. Select shipment types
5. Prepare your vehicle
6. Drop off your car
7. Pick up your car
8. Inspect your vehicle

It helps to know what makes shipping a car to Hawaii different from transporting a vehicle within the continental United States. The most critical differences boil down to cost, company, transit times, and pickup details.

Hawaii auto transport is about $1,000 more expensive than regular car shipping. That’s because you’re paying for two services: ground transport to a West Coast port, plus overseas shipping.

Regular mainland shipping costs typically run about $1,100. Prices can go up or down depending on factors such as your destination city and vehicle size. Overseas shipping costs average around $2,100, plus whatever the broker may charge to set things up. Put them together, and you’re looking at an average total of approximately $3,200.

When shipping a car to Hawaii, you work with a car transport broker and carrier—and an overseas shipping company that physically transports your vehicle across the ocean. Your broker will give you the company’s information but otherwise handles the shipping details for you.

Note: You need to hire a separate Hawaii transport company if you want your car delivered to your new home (rather than the port).  

Shipping a car to Hawaii can take up to seven weeks. Your estimated transit time depends on things like the availability of transport trucks and overseas carriers, as well as your destination and arrival ports. In general, you can expect the following shipping timeframes:

• Your home to a mainland port. Up to two weeks.
• Mainland port to Hawaiian port. Up to five weeks.

You need to select a transport option for both ground and overseas delivery. For ground delivery, you can choose between open and enclosed transport. Almost everyone uses open transport because it’s more affordable. However, enclosed transportation is ideal for high-end luxury vehicles like a Porsche or Ferrari.

For overseas transport, you have a few options:

• Port-to-port delivery. Drop your vehicle off at the mainland shipping port and then pick it up at the Hawaiian port. This is the cheapest option, but it’s available only if you live near one of the main ports in Long Beach, California, Oakland, California, or Tacoma, Washington.
• Door-to-port delivery. Most customers choose to have the car transport company come to their homes (or front “doors”) and deliver their car to a mainland port. While this adds about $1,100 to the price tag, it’s the only option if you don’t live near a West Coast port.
• Door-to-door delivery. Very few car shipping companies can pick up your vehicle from your home on the mainland and deliver it to your front door in Hawaii. If you need door-to-door service, you must find a local Hawaiian company that can handle the last leg of the delivery (they’re usually the only ones that can transport your car from the port to your home).

Take steps to prepare your vehicle for transport. In addition to standard precautions like checking for leaks and topping off fluids, you should also focus on details that are especially relevant to Hawaii transport:

• Keep your gas level low. Your gas tank often can’t be filled to more than 5% capacity (much lower than the 25% threshold for domestic shipments). Ask your car transport company about its specific requirements, and then keep an eye on your fuel gauge.

• Check your battery. Make sure your battery isn’t running out of juice. Many car shipping companies won’t transport your vehicle to Hawaii if it won’t start.
• Wash your car. Clean your vehicle before transport and look for existing scratches and dents. Then, compare the condition of your automobile before and after delivery in case you need to file an insurance claim.

Give your keys to the car shipping company. This usually occurs when the transport truck driver arrives at your home. For those living near a mainland shipping port, you take the vehicle directly to the port following instructions from the broker.

In either case, the driver will help you conduct an inspection of your vehicle and ask you to sign a bill of lading. It’s a car shipping insurance document that helps you justify a claim if your vehicle gets damaged in transit.

Pick up your vehicle when it arrives in Hawaii. The transport broker will tell you how to track your delivery status and where to pick up your car when it comes. Follow the instructions and contact your broker with questions.

Check your car for damage at the time of delivery. In most cases, if you don’t tell the driver about new scratches or dents, you won’t be able to  . Look for things like dents from hail storms and windshield chips from road debris. Be sure to examine your roof and look under the bumper. Mark any suspected new damage on your bill of lading and contact the car shipping company immediately to report the problem.

Shipping a car to Hawaii is similar to transporting your vehicle on the mainland. The best car shipping companies typically take care of everything you need. Still, you should be aware that shipment is slow and expensive. You also interact with an overseas car shipping company that adds another $2,000 or so to your price tag. You can increase the odds of a stress-free shipping experience by following a simple eight-step guide:

1. Understand the basics. Hawaii car shipping costs more and takes longer than domestic shipments. You also must either pick up your vehicle at the delivery port or hire a separate company to deliver it to your new home.
2. Pick a shipment date. The car shipping company will usually pick up your vehicle within a one-week window of the shipment date you provide. Be sure you or someone you know will be there to hand over your keys.
3. Select shipment types. Choose between an open and enclosed carrier for ground shipment. Then, select door-to-port or port-to-port shipping for the overseas leg of your journey.

1. Choose a company. Compare quotes from three or four companies and read up on customer reviews. Stay away from auto transporters with bad reviews or prices that seem too good to be true.
2. Prepare your vehicle. Get your car ready for shipment by lowering your gas tank to about 5% capacity. Also, make sure your battery has plenty of life left, and wash your car so you can inspect it for existing damage.
3. Drop off your car. Give your keys to the delivery driver who arrives to pick up your vehicle. Similarly, turn over your automobile to the overseas shipping company if you’ve selected port-to-port shipment.
4. Pick up your car. Follow instructions provided by the broker to track your delivery status and pick up your vehicle when it arrives.
5. Inspect your vehicle. Thoroughly examine your vehicle for any new damage. If necessary, document any problems on a bill of lading and file a car shipping insurance claim.

The average cost to ship a car to Hawaii is about $3,200, according to Move.org. This includes ground transportation costs of around $1,080, plus overseas transport fees of about $2,100.

Enclosed auto transport to Hawaii is approximately $3,600. The price includes ground transportation costs of roughly $1,500 and overseas shipping fees of around $2,100.

The best companies for auto shipping to Hawaii are Montway, AmeriFreight, and American Auto Shipping. All three companies ship to all 50 states, have reasonable prices and get excellent customer reviews.

Yes, Easy Auto Ship transports cars to Hawaii. The transporter is known for highly accurate quotes, additional insurance options, and free car rentals.

You don’t need any documents to ship your car to Hawaii. However, transport companies typically require a lienholder authorization, vehicle title, vehicle registration, photo ID, and proof of ownership if shipping from Hawaii to the mainland. 

No, your car isn’t exposed to the elements during overseas shipping. Vehicles shipped to Hawaii are stored inside of a shipping container or underneath the deck of a ship. These safety precautions protect your car against rain and hail.

The most popular ports to ship a car to Hawaii are Long Beach, California, Oakland, California, and Tacoma, Washington. There are also several ports in Alaska. However, not all shipping companies use every port, so you should verify your options before booking a reservation.

The port you use to ship a car to Hawaii depends on the overseas shipping company. In most cases, transport companies use ports in Long Beach, California, Oakland, California, and Tacoma, Washington. In some cases, you may also be able to use West Coast ports near Los Angeles, California and San Francisco, California (East Coast ports don’t go to Hawaii).

Yes, you can ship a car from Alaska to Hawaii. Just be aware that the costs are about $1,680 higher than using a mainland port in California or Washington.

No, you can’t ship your car to Hawaii with stuff in it. Most vehicle shipping companies will require you to empty all of your personal belongings before picking up your vehicle.

It depends on the value of your car. Since the average cost to ship a car to Hawaii is over $3,000, you probably want your vehicle to be worth at least that much.

The overseas shipping cost (not counting ground transportation) to Honolulu ranges from about $1,500–$2,800, depending on your departure port.

Yes, there is a car shipping port in Hilo, Hawaii. Other popular Hawaiian ports include Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kaunakakai, Lanai City, and Kahului.

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