Car Shipping From California to Hawaii (2024 Guide)
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
How Does Car Shipping From California to Hawaii Work?
There are a few more steps involved in moving a car to the Hawaiian islands than if you’re sending it across the U.S. mainland. Usually, you’ll need to drive your car to a port in California — in Long Beach or Oakland, Calif. for example — and then have it loaded onto a ship. For overseas shipping, it may be easiest to work with an auto shipping broker who can help coordinate details for you.
How To Ship A Car From California To Hawaii
Below are the basic steps for car shipping from California to Hawaii:
- Get quotes: Most car carriers make it easy to get an initial quote online. You can also utilize a marketplace, like uShip, to “pitch” your job to numerous carriers at once. This will help you find the best provider for your needs and the most reasonable rates.
- Book a carrier: Once brokers present you with quotes from top car hauling companies, compare their offered rates and services. Select the auto transport provider that best fits your needs. After you’ve selected a carrier, you’ll receive a booking number and information on preparing your car for shipment to the islands.
- Ready your vehicle: Remove all personal items from the car’s interior and leave no more than a quarter tank of gas to minimize overall weight (and cost). If your vehicle is currently leased, you’ll need a notarized letter from your lienholder permitting the transport service.
- Drop off your vehicle: On the agreed-upon date, bring your car to its dropoff location. With car shipping from California to Hawaii, this will most likely be a port located near Los Angeles or San Francisco.
- Pick up your vehicle: Once you and your vehicle both arrive in Hawaii, head to your designated pickup location to sign the bill of lading and get your car.
Where Are the Shipping Ports in Hawaii?
Below are the main vehicle shipping ports spread across Hawaii. While it’s often cheaper to simply ship cars to Honolulu, that may not be a viable option if you’re headed to one of the outer islands.
- Honolulu: serves Oahu
- Kawaihae: serves the west side of Big Island/Hawaii Island
- Hilo: serves the east side of the Big Island/Hawaii Island
- Kaumālapaʻu Harbor: serves Lānaʻi
- Kahului: serves Maui
- Nawiliwili: serves Kauai
- Kaunakakai: serves Molokai
Additionally, there are various ports on the West Coast that handle car shipping to Hawaii, with some of the most popular being Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., Long Beach, Calif. and Seattle/Tacoma.
How Long Does Hawaii Car Transport Take?
Car shipping from California to Hawaii typically takes between one and three weeks because it’s a form of long-distance auto transport.
Many vehicles first arrive in Honolulu, even if they’re continuing on to Hawaii’s outer islands. Because of this, the estimated transit time will likely be longer if your car’s final destination is Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii or Kauai.
Cost To Ship a Car From California to Hawaii
Car shipping costs from California to the Aloha State are rarely cheap with rates that can go well above $3,000, but shipping a vehicle to Hawaii can reduce the hassle and expense of shopping for a new vehicle on the islands. Below are rates we received from Montway Auto Transport on door-to-port car shipping from California to Hawaii for different car makes and models, as well as different shipping methods:
| Car | Origin | Destination | Shipping Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda Civic | Long Beach, Calif. | Honolulu | Open | $1,769 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | San Francisco | Hilo | Enclosed | $3,199 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 | Long Beach, Calif. | Honolulu | Open | $1,799 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 | San Francisco | Hilo | Enclosed | $3,259 |
| 2020 Ford F-150 | Long Beach, Calif. | Honolulu | Open | $1,869 |
| 2020 Ford F-150 | San Francisco | Hilo | Enclosed | $3,329 |
Since these are just rough shipping rates, your final price may be different depending on your vehicle type, chosen services and your destination in Hawaii.
It’s worth noting that military car shipping often comes with discounts for active-duty service members and veterans. Ask about potential savings opportunities if you’re being relocated to a military base in the Aloha State.
What Factors Affect Hawaii Car Shipping Costs?
When it comes to car shipping from California to Hawaii, several factors can affect the final price. Below are a few elements that can increase or decrease your auto transport costs:
Shipping route: As mentioned above, there are several ports spread across the Hawaiian Islands. Shipping to Honolulu on Oahu will typically be the cheapest.
Transport type: Enclosed auto transport is the safest option, but it often costs 40 to 50% more than open transport.
Type of vehicle: Heavier vehicles like trucks and SUVs almost always cost more to ship than sedans.
Time of year: There are more auto shipments into and out of the Aloha State at certain times of the year. Since moves are more likely to occur in the summer and in January, you’ll generally pay more for auto shipments during those times.
Vehicle operability: Inoperable cars will be more expensive to move due to the extra time and effort it takes to load and unload them.
What Is Roll-On/Roll-Off Shipping?
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping involves driving a vehicle onto a ship instead of having it craned onboard. Vehicles are then secured to the deck of the shipping vessel for transport and then driven off the ship when they reach their destination.
While RORO services are a cheap car shipping method for getting your car across the Pacific, there’s a higher likelihood of your vehicle being damaged. You also need to consider that there is limited availability for RORO shipping and delays are more likely.
But nonetheless, RORO shipping is a great option for those who need an inexpensive method of car shipping from California to Hawaii.
Top Providers for Shipping Cars From California to Hawaii
Below are a few leading providers that offer car shipping from California to Hawaii:
How to Ship a Car From California To Hawaii: The Bottom Line
While shipping a vehicle from California to Hawaii can be expensive, there are several solid options with relatively affordable rates. Montway Auto Transport is one of our highest-rated shippers, but we recommend comparing free quotes from multiple companies before booking your shipment.
Shipping a Car to Hawaii From California: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping cars from California to Hawaii:
Our estimates show that the price to ship a vehicle to the Aloha State typically starts at around $1,750. Your final cost will depend on factors like the shipping route, type of vehicle and chosen type of transport.
Comparing instant quotes from several auto shipping companies will help you discover which provider best fits your budget and service needs.
Shipping a car from California to Hawaii is relatively simple. You’ll first need to find the right carrier for your needs. Once you’ve booked a shipper, you’ll typically drive your vehicle to a California port and drop it off. In Hawaii, you’ll pick up your vehicle at the designated destination port.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
link
