Moving to Hawaii: Ship or Buy a Car?

Can I Ship My Car to Hawaii?

Yes, you can ship your car to Hawaii, but it requires ocean freight services like Matson Navigation, Pasha Hawaii, or Hawaii Car Transport. Most car shipping companies transport vehicles to California ports, where you connect with Hawaii ocean freight services.

Key Takeaways 

Shipping a car to Hawaii requires specialized ocean freight services because 2,400 miles of the Pacific Ocean separate it from the mainland. Mainland car shipping companies transport vehicles to West Coast ports for Hawaii connections.

Essential Hawaii shipping facts:

• Ocean shipping required: No bridges or land routes to Hawaii

• Cost range: $1,200-$2,500, including mainland transport and ocean freight

• Timeline: 10-21 days total (mainland transport + ocean shipping)

• Major shippers: Matson Navigation, Pasha Hawaii, Hawaii Car Transport

Process: Mainland transport to California port → Ocean freight to Hawaii → Port pickup in Honolulu or Hilo.

What You'll Learn

This comprehensive guide covers:

• How Hawaii car shipping works in 2026

• Complete cost breakdown, including hidden fees

• Step-by-step shipping process and timeline

Summary 

Shipping cars to Hawaii requires two-stage transport: mainland shipping to California ports, then ocean freight to the Hawaiian islands. 

Total costs range $1,200-$2,500, including both segments. AmeriFreight Auto Transport handles mainland portions. The process takes 10-21 days total. 

The alternative is buying local in Hawaii, though prices average 15-20% higher than on the mainland due to shipping costs and limited inventory.

How Hawaii Car Shipping Actually Works 

Hawaii car shipping involves a two-stage process since no car shipping company can drive vehicles across the Pacific Ocean.

Stage 1: Mainland Transport to California Ports

Purpose: Get your vehicle from your location to a West Coast departure port

Companies: AmeriFreight Auto Transport and other mainland carriers

Timeline: 3-7 days, depending on origin location

Cost: $400-$800 from most US locations

Popular Departure Ports:

• Los Angeles/Long Beach: Most frequent Hawaii service

• Oakland: Regular departures to Hawaii

• San Diego: Limited Hawaii connections

Stage 2: Ocean Freight to Hawaii

Purpose: Ship a vehicle across the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands

Companies: Matson Navigation, Pasha Hawaii, Hawaii Car Transport

Timeline: 5-14 days, depending on service and destination

Cost: $1,200-$1,800 for standard vehicles

Hawaiian Destination Ports:

• Honolulu (Oahu): Most frequent service, largest port

• Hilo (Big Island): Weekly service available

• Kahului (Maui): Limited direct service

Complete Hawaii Car Shipping Cost Breakdown 

Understanding total costs helps you budget for Hawaii car shipping.

Total Cost Components

Mainland Transport (Origin to California Port):

• East Coast origins: $600-$1,000

• Midwest origins: $500-$800

• West Coast origins: $200-$500

• Local California: $100-$300

Ocean Freight (California to Hawaii):

• Standard vehicles: $1,200-$1,500

• SUVs/trucks: $1,400-$1,800

• Luxury vehicles: $1,600-$2,200

• Motorcycles: $600-$900

Additional Hawaii Fees:

• Port processing: $100-$200

• Documentation: $50-$100

• Temporary storage: $25/day if delayed pickup

Cost Comparison Table

Vehicle Type	Mainland Transport	Ocean Freight	Total Cost
Sedan	$400-$600	$1,200-$1,400	$1,600-$2,000
SUV	$500-$700	$1,400-$1,600	$1,900-$2,300
Pickup Truck	$600-$800	$1,500-$1,800	$2,100-$2,600

Timeline: How Long Does Hawaii Car Shipping Take 

Plan for 10-21 days total transit time, depending on your origin location and chosen services.

Detailed Timeline Breakdown

Week 1: Mainland Transport

• Days 1-2: Booking and pickup scheduling

• Days 3-7: Transport to California port

• Day 7: Delivery to the ocean freight terminal

Week 2: Ocean Processing and Shipping

• Days 8-9: Port processing and vessel loading

• Days 10-14: Ocean transit to Hawaii

• Days 15-16: Hawaii port processing

Week 3: Hawaii Delivery

• Days 17-19: Port storage and customer notification

• Days 20-21: Customer pickup or delivery

Factors Affecting Timeline

• Origin location: The East Coast takes longer than the West Coast

• Seasonal demand: Summer months may have delays

• Weather conditions: Pacific storms can delay vessels

• Port congestion: Peak seasons create backups

Need Fast Hawaii Transport? Expedited mainland shipping can reduce the total timeline, though ocean freight schedules remain fixed. Calculate Your Transport Timeline

Trusted Hawaii Car Shipping Companies

Choose reliable ocean freight companies with proven Hawaii shipping experience.

Top Hawaii Ocean Freight Companies

Matson Navigation

• Experience: 140+ years serving Hawaii

• Service: Roll-on/roll-off and container shipping

• Frequency: Multiple weekly departures

• Ports served: All major Hawaiian islands

• Website: matson.com

Pasha Hawaii

• Experience: 75+ years of Hawaii shipping

• Service: Vehicle and cargo shipping

• Frequency: Regular scheduled service

• Specialization: Oversized and specialty vehicles

• Website: pashahawaii.com

Hawaii Car Transport

• Focus: Dedicated vehicle shipping to Hawaii

• Service: Door-to-port pickup available

• Coverage: Nationwide pickup, Hawaii delivery

• Specialization: Personal vehicle transport

• Website: https://www.hawaiicartransport.com/

Mainland Transport Companies

For the mainland shipping, companies like AmeriFreight Auto Transport can transport your vehicle to California departure ports, where you connect with Hawaii ocean freight services.

Shipping vs Buying a Car in Hawaii 

Compare the total costs and benefits of shipping versus purchasing in Hawaii.

Shipping Your Car: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Shipping:

• Keep familiar vehicle: Known maintenance history and preferences

• Specialty vehicles: Hard-to-find models available

• Avoid Hawaii markups: Escape 15-20% higher local prices

• Immediate use: Vehicle ready upon Hawaii arrival

Disadvantages of Shipping:

• High upfront cost: $1,600-$2,600 total shipping expense

• Timeline delays: 2-3 weeks without transportation

• Damage risk: Potential issues during transport

• Older vehicle concerns: Parts availability in Hawaii

Buying in Hawaii: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Buying Local:

• Immediate availability: Drive off the lot same day

• No shipping costs: Avoid $1,600+ transport fees

• Local warranty support: Dealer service and parts

• Climate-adapted vehicles: Cars adjusted to Hawaiian conditions

Disadvantages of Buying Local:

• Higher prices: 15-20% markup over mainland

• Limited selection: Fewer models and options

• Used car concerns: Salt air and rust issues

• Sales tax: Hawaii General Excise Tax adds 4-4.5%

Step-by-Step Hawaii Car Shipping Process 

Follow this process to ship your vehicle to Hawaii.

Step 1: Get Quotes and Book Services

1. Contact a mainland transport company (like AmeriFreight) for California port delivery.

2. Get Hawaii ocean freight quotes from Matson, Pasha, or Hawaii Car Transport.

3. Compare total costs and timeline options

4. Book both services with coordinated delivery dates

Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle

• Clean your vehicle: Remove all personal items (DOT requirement)

• Document condition: Take photos of existing damage

• Fuel level: Keep tank 1/4 full or less

• Disable alarm: Prevent activation during transport

• Remove accessories: Detachable items like bike racks

Step 3: Mainland Transport

• Schedule pickup: Arrange a convenient pickup time and location

• Inspect vehicle: Complete condition report with driver

• Track progress: Track transport to the California port

• Coordinate delivery: Ensure timely arrival at the ocean freight terminal

Step 4: Ocean Freight Processing

• Port delivery: Vehicle arrives at the California ocean freight terminal

• Documentation: Complete Hawaii shipping paperwork

• Vessel loading: Vehicle loaded onto Hawaii-bound ship

• Transit tracking: Track vessel progress to Hawaii

Step 5: Hawaii Arrival and Pickup

• Arrival notification: Receive notice when the boat arrives

• Port processing: Allow 1-2 days for unloading and processing

• Pickup scheduling: Arrange a convenient pickup time

• Final inspection: Check vehicle condition before accepting delivery

Vehicle Requirements for Hawaii Shipping 

Ensure your vehicle meets requirements for successful Hawaii transport.

DOT Shipping Requirements

• Personal items prohibited: Remove all belongings from the vehicle

• Fuel restrictions: Max 1/4 tank of gasoline

• Operational requirement: Vehicle must start and move under its own power

• Clean condition: Exterior cleaning required for inspection

Hawaii-Specific Requirements

• Safety inspection: Required within 30 days of arrival

• Emissions testing: Required for vehicles 2006 and newer (Oahu only)

• Registration: Must complete within 30 days of arrival

• Insurance: Required

Restricted Items

Cannot ship with vehicle:

• Firearms or ammunition

• Hazardous materials

• Personal belongings

• Aftermarket modifications (some restrictions)

AmeriFreight's Hawaii Transport Services 

AmeriFreight Auto Transport provides reliable mainland car shipping to California ports for customers connecting to Hawaii ocean freight services.

Our Mainland Hawaii Transport Services:

• California port delivery: Transport to Los Angeles, Oakland, or San Diego ports

• Nationwide pickup: Service from all continental states

For Hawaii Ocean Shipping, We Recommend:

• Matson Navigation: Established Hawaii shipping leader

• Pasha Hawaii: Reliable ocean freight service

• Hawaii Car Transport: Specialized vehicle shipping

Our customer service agents can provide information about mainland transport and help coordinate with Hawaii shipping companies for seamless service.

Final Thoughts

Shipping your car to Hawaii is possible, but requires coordination between mainland transport and ocean freight services. The process costs $1,600-$2,600 and takes 10-21 days total.

Success depends on choosing reliable companies for both transport segments, preparing your vehicle, and understanding Hawaii's vehicle registration requirements. While shipping costs seem high, they often compare to Hawaii's 15-20% higher vehicle prices.

For mainland transport to California ports, AmeriFreight Auto Transport offers reliable service with experienced coordination. For ocean freight, established companies like Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii provide proven Hawaii shipping services.

AmeriFreight Auto Transport

AmeriFreight Auto Transport provides car shipping services within the continental United States, including coordinating transport to California ports for Hawaii shipping connections. Our customer service agents can help coordinate your mainland transport needs.

For Hawaii ocean shipping, we recommend trusted companies like Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii.

Get Your Free Mainland Transport Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best car shipping company to Hawaii?

Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii are the top companies for shipping cars to Hawaii by sea. They have been doing this for many years. For mainland transport to ports, AmeriFreight Auto Transport provides reliable service.

Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car?

You cannot drive to Hawaii since the ocean separates it. Shipping costs $1,600-$2,600 total, while buying local in Hawaii costs 15-20% more than mainland prices.

Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it to Hawaii?

DOT regulations prohibit personal items in vehicles during ocean transport. You must remove all belongings before shipping for safety and customs reasons.

How long does a car take to ship to Hawaii?

Shipping takes 10 to 21 days. It includes 3 to 7 days for mainland transport to California. Ocean freight to Hawaii takes 7 to 14 days.

What documents do I need to ship my car to Hawaii?

You need a vehicle title, registration, proof of insurance, and a valid photo ID. Hawaii requires safety inspection and registration within 30 days of arrival.

Can I ship a financed car to Hawaii?

Yes, but your lender needs to allow you, in writing, to transport the vehicle to Hawaii. Some lenders restrict out-of-state transport.

Disclaimer: This article offers general information. It is not professional advice. Shipping costs, requirements, and company services may vary and are subject to change. Always verify current information with shipping companies before making transportation decisions.