How To Ship A Car To Hawaii (2024 Guide)

Aloha, friend! So, you’ve decided to trade in your snow boots for flip-flops and embrace the island life in Hawaii?

Moving to Hawaii isn’t just about sipping Mai Tais on the beach (although that’s a pretty sweet perk!). It also means figuring out the nitty-gritty details of how to move to the Aloha State, including getting your trusty car to paradise.

Don’t worry — you’ll be on island time soon enough. In the meantime, check out this guide to learn about the car shipping process, average costs, and the best car shipping companies for relocating to Hawaii.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?

Typically, the cost to ship a car to Hawaii ranges from $1,400 to $2,400. The actual cost to transport your vehicle will depend on size, shipping method, and other key factors.

Factors affecting cost

Some of the main factors that affect the final cost of shipping your car to Hawaii, include the following:

• Vehicle type: Larger vehicles like RVs and trucks are usually more expensive to ship than smaller cars like sedans. After all, larger vehicles take up more space and add extra weight.
• Pickup and dropoff locations: If you need the shipper to pick up your car or deliver it to a location that’s far away from port, you’ll probably need to pay additional fees for door-to-door service.
• Shipping method: You can choose between air freight or cargo ship to move your car from the mainland port to Hawaii. We’ll dive into the pros and cons of these options in a sec, but air freight is definitely more expensive.
• Time of year: More people tend to move in the summer, which drives up demand for car shipping service. You’ll probably pay more to move during peak season.
• Vehicle condition: Running vehicles are cheaper to ship than non-running ones. Broken-down cars require special equipment for loading and unloading, which is why it’s more expensive to ship them.
• Insurance: You don’t always need to buy up on insurance, but if you’re transporting a classic car and want more peace of mind, you’ll likely pay more for additional coverage.
• Speed: If you need expedited auto shipping, it will usually come at a premium.

Best Hawaii car shipping companies

The best way to keep your car safe on the journey to Hawaii is to choose a reputable car shipping company. Don’t spend hours searching for trustworthy options — moveBuddha did the homework for you.

These are the best car shipping companies for shipping to Hawaii:

SGT Auto Transport

SGT Auto Trasnport offers both open and enclosed shipping options for shipping to and from Hawaii. It has the largest network of over 25,000 shipping partners to manage your shipment. If you get a lower binding quote from another car shipper, SGT will price match the quote, too.

Easy Auto Ship

Need to get to Hawaii in a hurry? Easy Auto Ship gives you access to a big network of shippers to get you there, fast.

Montway Auto Transport

Montway Auto Transport doesn’t require an upfront deposit and specializes in shipping cars long distances.

Sherpa Auto Transport

Use Sherpa Auto Transport for enclosed and open car shipping anywhere in the contiguous United States and Hawaii. Their door-to-door delivery model, means you won’t have to go to a terminal — because they’ll deliver the car as close as possible to the destination location.

Ship A Car Direct

Worried about damage in transit? Ship A Car Direct includes the most generous carrier insurance with every shipment.

How does Hawaii auto shipping work?

Moving your belongings to Hawaii is one thing, but moving a car across the Pacific Ocean might sound like a big undertaking.

Don’t sweat it —the car shipping service will handle everything for you. If you’ve never shipped a car before, here’s how the process works.

1. Choose a reliable shipping company

As long as you hire the best car shipping company for the job, your car will arrive in the Aloha State unscathed.

Begin the process by searching for a reputable shipping company with experience shipping vehicles to Hawaii. Not all shippers offer service outside of the contiguous United States, so check the fine print on their website.

It’s also a good idea to check online reviews and ratings. Make sure the shipper has a valid U.S. Department of Transportation number and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registration.

2. Get a quote and book service

We recommend requesting car shipping quotes from at least three Hawaii vehicle transporters. This way, you’ll get a better idea of costs and what you get for the money.

Pay close attention to the fine print and ask each shipper for details on insurance, the claims process, and shipping timelines.

Once you find a shipper that ticks all of the boxes, book the service. Some shippers require a small deposit ranging from $50 to 20% of the total cost of the shipment.

3. Prep your vehicle

Clean both the inside and outside of your car before shipping, and remove all of your personal belongings. If you can’t live without it, take it out of the car!

Take 365-degree photos of your car and note any pre-existing damage. These “before” photos can really come in handy if you need to file a damage claim later.

4. Drop off or arrange for pickup

Depending on the shipper and the service you paid for, you will need to either drop your car off at the designated port (port-to-port shipping) or wait for the shipper to pick it up from your location.

Door-to-door service is convenient but it comes at a premium, so keep that in mind.

Door-to-port is also an option if you don’t have a permanent address in Hawaii just yet. With door-to-port, the vehicle shipping company picks the car up at your home and drops it off at the Hawaiian port.

5. Complete paperwork

Before sending your car off to cross the ocean, you’ll need to provide paperwork like:

• Driver’s license and vehicle registration
• Proof of ownership, which is usually a notarized form
• Shipping contract

Don’t worry —your shipping company will tell you exactly what to bring and where to find the documents they need.

6. Track the car shipment

Some car shipping companies will give you a tracking number to monitor your car’s journey. This is helpful for staying informed, although not all tracking services update in real-time (especially when they’re crossing the expanse of the Pacific Ocean).

Ask your car shipping company for the specifics of how their tracking process works.

7. Pick up your car in Hawaii

Aloha! You and your car have both arrived in Hawaii and it’s time to pick up your ride. You’ll pick up the vehicle from the port. If you paid for door-to-door service, you’ll receive it at your specified delivery location.

8. Inspect the car

Don’t sign anything until you’ve inspected every inch of your car. Check your car for damages that might have occurred during shipping.

Compare it to your pre-shipment photos. If anything is off or there are obvious damages, note it on the bill of lading and ask your shipper to start the claims process.

9. Register your car

If you’re planning to stay in Hawaii long-term, remember to register your car with the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles.

Options for shipping a car to Hawaii

You have two options for shipping your car to Hawaii: by plane and by cargo ship.

By plane

Air freight is the fastest way to ship your car to Hawaii. This is ideal for luxury or vintage cars where time and protection from the elements matter most.

The downside? It’s substantially more expensive. After all, they’re flying your car. Unless you have a specialty car or are in a big hurry, you’ll probably opt for shipping via cargo ship.

By cargo ship

Most people ship cars to Hawaii via cargo ship because it’s more affordable.

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is the most popular way to do cargo shipping. This is when the auto transport company drives cars on and off the ship. Think of RoRo as a floating parking garage that securely stows your car for its journey across the Pacific.

The other option is container shipping, which is when the Hawaii car transport company ships your car in an enclosed container. Because it has its own little home, your car is more protected from the elements. The downside is that this shipping method is also more expensive.

Car shipping ports in Hawaii

There are a surprising number of ports in Hawaii that handle vehicle shipments. Your shipping company will choose the destination port service, but here are your options:

• Port of Honolulu: Located on Oahu, this is Hawaii’s primary port.
• Port of Kahului: This port serves the island of Maui.
• Port of Hilo: Hilo is on the Big Island. Fun fact — it caters to both cargo ships and cruise liners.
• Port of Kawaihae: Also located on the Big Island, Kawaihae primarily handles cargo shipments.
• Port of Nawiliwili: Located in Lihue, this port serves the island of Kauai.
• Port of Kaunakakai: This port serves the island of Moloka’i.

Tips for shipping a car to Hawaii

Shipping your car to Hawaii is no small decision, but it’s a pretty seamless process with the right prep. Follow these tips to enjoy a hassle-free relocation to Hawaii:

• Decide between shipping or buying. Shipping is a big undertaking, so if you’re not up for this process, you might want to wait and purchase a car in Hawaii. Just keep in mind that cars are more expensive in Hawaii, so manage your budget wisely.
• Prepare for quarantine inspections. It might sound weird to quarantine a car, but Hawaii has strict rules about invasive species. The last thing you want to do is accidentally bring tree seeds to Hawaii via your car. Clean your car inside and out to avoid quarantine-related delays.
• Ask for discounts. Most shippers offer senior or military discounts. Always ask for shipping discounts, especially if you use the same company for your car as your household goods. The worst thing they can say is no!
• Gather your documents. You’ll need your vehicle’s original (no photocopies) registration and title before shipping.

FAQs about shipping a car to Hawaii

How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?

It costs anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 to ship a car to Hawaii. Shipping rates depend on factors like:

• Vehicle size
• Pickup and dropoff locations
• Shipping method
• Time of year
• Shipping company

How long will it take to ship a car to Hawaii?

How long it will take to ship a car to Hawaii depends on where you’re shipping the car from.

From California’s West Coast, it takes up to a week. So if you’re relocating from Los Angeles, Oakland, or Long Beach, you’re in luck! If you’re shipping from the East Coast, it might require ground transportation to the West Coast first. This can take as long as three weeks.

If you’re in a hurry, ask your shipping company about air freight and expedited shipping options.

Can I ship a car to Hawaii that has stuff in it?

Some car shipping companies will let you ship your car with stuff in it, but usually not if you’re going to Hawaii. Hawaii has strict quarantine regulations, so it’s easier to ship personal items separately, if you can.

What is the best company to ship a car to Hawaii?

SGT Transport is the best company to ship a car to Hawaii, according to our research. SGT Transport has transparent, all-inclusive pricing and instant quotes online. It also offers exact pickup dates.