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You can ship your car from Seattle to Hawaii using a two-stage process: mainland transport to California ports, then ocean freight to the Hawaiian islands. Total cost ranges from $1,800 to $3,200 and takes between 12 and 18 days for complete transit time.
Key Takeaways
Shipping from Seattle to Hawaii requires coordination between mainland transport and ocean freight services. No single company provides direct Seattle-to-Hawaii vehicle shipping due to the 2,400-mile Pacific Ocean barrier.
Essential Seattle to Hawaii shipping facts:
Two-stage process: Seattle to California port + ocean freight to Hawaii
Total cost: $1,800-$3,200, depending on vehicle size and services
Timeline: 12-18 days total (4-7 days mainland + 8-11 days ocean)
Popular route: Seattle to Los Angeles/Long Beach, then Hawaii
Ocean carriers: Matson Navigation, Pasha Hawaii lead Hawaii shipping
Best approach: Book mainland transport to Los Angeles/Long Beach ports, then connect with established Hawaii ocean freight services.
What You'll Learn
This comprehensive shipping guide covers:
Step-by-step process for Seattle to Hawaii car shipping
Complete cost breakdown, including mainland and ocean freight
Timeline expectations and scheduling coordination
Summary
Seattle to Hawaii car shipping requires two separate services: mainland transport from Seattle to California ports ($600-$1,000) and ocean freight from California to Hawaii ($1,200-$2,200).
Total timeline is between 12 and 18 days with costs ranging from $1,800 to $3,200. Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii dominate ocean freight services, while mainland carriers work with brokers like AmeriFreight Auto Transport to coordinate the Seattle to California portion.
Popular departure ports include Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. The process requires coordination between both service providers for seamless delivery to the Hawaiian Islands.
How Seattle to Hawaii Car Shipping Works
Seattle to Hawaii car shipping involves two distinct segments requiring different specialized carriers.
Stage 1: Seattle to California Port Transport
Service provider: Mainland auto transport companies
Distance: 1,100-1,400 miles, depending on destination port
Timeline: 4-7 days transit time
Cost: $600-$1,000 for standard vehicles
Popular California Departure Ports:
Los Angeles/Long Beach: Most frequent Hawaii service, 1,100 miles from Seattle
Oakland: Regular Hawaii departures, 800 miles from Seattle
San Diego: Limited Hawaii connections, 1,400 miles from Seattle
Stage 2: California to Hawaii Ocean Freight
Service provider: Ocean freight specialists
Distance: 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean
Timeline: 8-11 days ocean transit
Cost: $1,200-$2,200 depending on vehicle size
Hawaiian Destination Options:
Honolulu (Oahu): Most frequent service, largest port
Hilo (Big Island): Weekly service available
Kahului (Maui): Limited direct service
Complete Seattle to Hawaii Cost Breakdown
Understanding total costs helps you budget accurately for Seattle to Hawaii vehicle transport.
Mainland Transport Costs (Seattle to California)
Seattle to Los Angeles/Long Beach:
Standard vehicles: $700-$900
SUVs/trucks: $800-$1,000
Luxury vehicles (enclosed): $1,100-$1,400
Seattle to Oakland:
Standard vehicles: $600-$800
SUVs/trucks: $700-$900
Luxury vehicles (enclosed): $1,000-$1,300
Ocean Freight Costs (California to Hawaii)
Standard Vehicles:
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): $1,200-$1,500
Container shipping: $2,000-$2,500
Larger Vehicles (SUVs/Trucks):
RoRo shipping: $1,500-$1,800
Container shipping: $2,200-$2,800
Additional Fees and Costs
Port and Processing Fees:
California port handling: $150-$250
Hawaii port processing: $100-$200
Documentation fees: $50-$100
Temporary storage: $25/day if pickup is delayed
Total Cost Examples
Seattle to Hawaii Shipping Timeline
Plan for 12-18 days total transit time from Seattle pickup to Hawaii delivery.
Week 1: Seattle to California Transport
Days 1-2: Booking confirmation and Seattle pickup scheduling
Days 3-7: Transport from Seattle to the California departure port
Day 7: Delivery to the ocean freight terminal
Week 2: California Processing and Ocean Transit
Days 8-9: Port processing and vessel loading in California
Days 10-14: Ocean transit to the Hawaiian Islands
Days 15-16: Hawaii port processing and unloading
Week 3: Hawaii Delivery (if needed)
Days 17-18: Customer notification and pickup scheduling
Variable: Port storage until customer pickup
Factors Affecting Timeline
Seasonal demand: Summer months may have longer wait times
Weather conditions: Pacific storms can delay ocean vessels
Port congestion: Peak shipping seasons create backups
Coordination timing: Scheduling between mainland and ocean services
Trusted Companies for Seattle to Hawaii Shipping
Choose reliable providers for each segment of your Seattle to Hawaii vehicle transport.
Mainland Transport (Seattle to California Ports)
AmeriFreight Auto Transport
Service area: Seattle to all California ports
Experience: Nationwide auto transport specialist
Coordination: Assistance connecting with the Hawaii ocean freight
Options: Open and enclosed transport available
Hawaii Ocean Freight Specialists
Matson Navigation
Experience: 140+ years serving Hawaii
Service: Roll-on/roll-off and container options
Frequency: Multiple weekly departures from California
Coverage: All major Hawaiian islands
Pasha Hawaii
Experience: 75+ years of Hawaii shipping
Specialization: Vehicle and cargo transport
Service: Regularly scheduled departures
Focus: Reliable Pacific Ocean freight
Young Brothers Hawaii
Focus: Inter-island and mainland Hawaii service
Strength: Local Hawaii expertise
Service: Comprehensive island coverage
Coordination Between Services
Success requires timing coordination between mainland transport arrival and ocean freight departure schedules.
Step-by-Step Seattle to Hawaii Shipping Process
Follow this proven process for successful Seattle to Hawaii vehicle transport.
Phase 1: Planning and Booking (2-3 Weeks Before)
Step 1: Get Quotes and Compare Services
Mainland transport quotes: Seattle to California ports
Ocean freight quotes: California to Hawaii
Total cost comparison: Factor in all fees and timing
Coordinate schedules: Ensure mainland arrival matches ocean departure
Step 2: Book Both Services
Reserve mainland transport: 2-3 weeks' booking recommended
Schedule ocean freight: Coordinate with mainland delivery timeline
Purchase insurance: Comprehensive coverage for both segments
Confirm documentation: Ensure all paperwork requirements are met
Phase 2: Preparation and Seattle Pickup
Step 3: Prepare Vehicle for Transport
Clean thoroughly: Remove all personal items (DOT requirement)
Document condition: Photos of existing damage for insurance
Fuel level: Keep tank 1/4 full maximum
Disable alarm: Prevent activation during transport
Step 4: Seattle Pickup and Mainland Transport
Confirm pickup: Final scheduling with the mainland carrier
Vehicle inspection: Complete condition report with driver
Provide keys and documents: Title, registration, insurance proof
Track progress: Monitor transport to the California port
Phase 3: California Port Transfer and Ocean Shipping
Step 5: Port Processing
Arrival notification: Confirm delivery to the ocean freight terminal
Documentation transfer: Provide Hawaii shipping paperwork
Port processing fees: Pay the required handling charges
Vessel loading: Vehicle loaded onto Hawaii-bound ship
Step 6: Ocean Transit and Hawaii Arrival
Departure confirmation: Vessel departure from California
Transit monitoring: Track ship progress to Hawaii
Arrival notification: Receive the Hawaii port arrival notice
Schedule pickup: Arrange a convenient Hawaii pickup time
Seattle to Hawaii Shipping Requirements
Ensure your vehicle meets all requirements for successful Seattle to Hawaii transport.
Vehicle Preparation Requirements
Personal items prohibited: DOT regulations require empty vehicles
Fuel restrictions: Maximum 1/4 tank of gasoline allowed
Operational requirement: Vehicle must start and drive
Clean condition: Exterior washing necessary for inspection
Documentation Needed
Vehicle title: Clear title or lien authorization required
Registration: Current vehicle registration
Insurance proof: Valid policy throughout transport
Photo identification: Government-issued ID for pickup
Hawaii-Specific Requirements
Safety inspection: Required within 30 days of arrival
Emissions testing: Required for newer vehicles (Oahu)
Registration: Must complete Hawaii registration within 30 days
Hawaii insurance: Local insurance is required for registration
AmeriFreight Seattle to Hawaii Services
AmeriFreight Auto Transport provides top-rated mainland vehicle shipping from Seattle to California ports for customers connecting to Hawaii ocean freight services.
Our Seattle Transport Services:
California port delivery: Transport to Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland ports
Coordination assistance: Information to help you coordinate with Hawaii shipping companies
Flexible options: Open and enclosed transport available
For Hawaii Ocean Shipping, We Recommend:
Matson Navigation: Leading Hawaii shipping service
Pasha Hawaii: Reliable ocean freight option
Young Brothers Hawaii: Comprehensive Hawaii coverage
Our customer service agents can provide information about Seattle to California port transport and help coordinate with trusted Hawaii ocean freight companies.
Final Thoughts
Shipping your car from Seattle to Hawaii requires coordination between mainland transport and ocean freight services, with total costs ranging $1,800-$3,200 and 12-18 days transit time. Success depends on choosing reliable providers for both segments and proper timing coordination.
The process involves Seattle to California port transport (4-7 days, $600-$1,000) followed by ocean freight to Hawaii (8-11 days, $1,200-$2,200). Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii provide established ocean freight services, while AmeriFreight Auto Transport coordinates mainland transport from Seattle to departure ports through licensed carriers.
Planning, booking services in advance, and choosing appropriate transport options help ensure smooth delivery and cost control for your Seattle to Hawaii vehicle shipping needs.
AmeriFreight Auto Transport
AmeriFreight Auto Transport provides car shipping services within the continental United States, including transport from Seattle to California ports for Hawaii shipping connections. Our customer service agents can help coordinate your mainland transport needs.
For Hawaii ocean freight, we recommend trusted companies like Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii.
Get Your Free Seattle Transport Quote
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What's the cheapest way to ship a car from Seattle to Hawaii?
The cheapest option is open transport from Seattle to Los Angeles ($700-$900) plus RoRo ocean freight to Hawaii ($1,200-$1,500), totaling approximately $1,900-$2,400.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Seattle to Hawaii?
Total costs range $1,800-$3,200 depending on vehicle size and services: mainland transport ($600-$1,000) plus ocean freight ($1,200-$2,200) plus fees ($200-$400).
Can I ship a car from Seattle to Hawaii directly?
No direct Seattle to Hawaii car shipping exists. The process requires mainland transport to California ports, then ocean freight to the Hawaiian islands using specialized carriers.
Which is the best car shipping company to Hawaii?
For ocean freight, Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii are leading companies. For Seattle to the California mainland transport, AmeriFreight Auto Transport can help arrange top-rated, vetted carrier services.
How long does Seattle to Hawaii car shipping take?
Total time is 12-18 days: 4-7 days Seattle to California port transport, plus 8-11 days ocean freight to Hawaii, including processing time.
What ports serve Seattle for Hawaii car shipping?
Los Angeles/Long Beach (1,100 miles from Seattle) and Oakland (800 miles) are primary departure ports, offering regular Hawaii freight service.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Shipping costs, timeline, and company services may vary and are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with transport companies before making shipping decisions.
