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Crash Course:
- Shipping your car to Hawaii can take between one to three weeks.
- Our top recommended providers for shipping your car to Hawaii are Mercury, AmeriFreight, and Montway.
- The farther in advance you begin planning the more you may be able to save.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
If you’re moving to the Aloha State, you may be wondering about the best methods for shipping a car to Hawaii. Unlike moves elsewhere in the United States, you can’t simply drive your car from Long Beach to Maui. Instead, you’ll have to rely on an auto shipping company to transport your vehicle from the U.S. mainland.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about shipping a car to Hawaii. We’ll explain the process, average costs, transit times, and even recommend a few of the best car shipping companies for Hawaii car shipping.
Cost Of Shipping A Car To Hawaii
According to Montway Auto Transport, shipping a car to Hawaii can cost between $1,500 and $2,100. Based on our cost research, Montway is one of the cheapest car shipping brokers. Pricing from other companies is likely to be similar if not slightly higher.
Your final car shipping costs will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Vehicle size: Larger and heavier vehicles like trucks and SUVs cost more to ship than standard cars.
- Shipping distance: The more distance between your departure port and your destination port, the more expensive your shipment is likely to be.
- Door-to-door or port-to-port delivery: Many car shipping companies will deliver your car from the port to a location you choose, but this is typically more expensive than dropping off and picking up your vehicle at the ports.
- Open or enclosed transport: Shipping your car in an enclosed container offers more protection than an open container but also comes with additional fees.
- Season: Car shipping is a seasonal industry. Demand is at its highest in January and during the summer months so you can expect prices to be at their highest during these times.
- Total transport distance: Vehicle transporters tend to charge by the mile. You’ll have to account for any miles traveled before your car gets on the boat as well as any miles it travels after it gets off.
How To Ship A Car to Hawaii
Shipping a car to Hawaii is not quite the same as shipping your vehicle elsewhere in the U.S. You’ll need to bring your vehicle to a port, where it will be loaded onto a ferry to cross the ocean. Luckily, there are several reputable auto transport companies that can manage the logistics for you.
The exact process of how to ship a car may differ slightly from carrier to carrier. Most auto shipping brokers – including the companies we recommend – follow a process similar to the one described below:
- Request a quote: Reach out to a shipping broker with your shipment details, including your vehicle information and shipping dates.
- Book a carrier: A broker will get back to you with a list of carrier options and quotes. Once you select a carrier, the shipment process begins.
- Clean out your vehicle: Clear out your vehicle to reduce its weight as much as possible. Leave no more than a quarter tank of gas and be sure to disconnect the alarm system or battery.
- Drop off vehicle: Bring your vehicle to the designated pickup location. This may be a port, a shipping terminal, or your house, depending on the service you select. Keep in mind that before a vehicle can be shipped from a port, you will need to provide a copy of your photo ID, title, vehicle registration, and a notarized letter of authorization from your lienholder if your vehicle is financed or leased.
- Pick up your vehicle: Once in Hawaii, pick up your vehicle from the destination port or another designated delivery location.
Hawaii Car Shipping Ports
There are several auto shipping ports across the Hawaiian Islands. Many auto shippers will ferry your vehicle from a port in the contiguous U.S. to cities such as:
- Hilo, Hawaii (Big Island)
- Kawaihae, Hawaii (Big Island)
- Kahului, Maui
- Honolulu, Oahu
- Kaunakakai, Molokai
- Nawiliwili, Kauai
Shipping A Car From Hawaii to The Continental U.S.
The shipping routes go both ways if you’re considering transporting a car from Hawaii to the continental U.S. Here are some of the ports auto shipping companies use on the East Coast and West Coast:
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Long Beach, California
- Oakland, California
- Tacoma, Washington
- New York, New York
Hawaii Car Shipping Transit Time
Your destination options will vary from shipper to shipper. Overall, shipping a car to Hawaii typically takes anywhere from eight to 19 days. However, you can expect shipments to the East Coast to take longer. Getting your car to an inland destination will also take additional time.
Roll-On, Roll-Off Shipping
One direct form of vehicle transport is roll-on, roll-off (RORO) shipping. Simple and straightforward, RORO shipping involves driving a vehicle to a port where it’s loaded and secured onto a ship. The ship then travels to the destination port and your vehicle is “rolled” off along with other cargo.
This method usually requires access to a shipping port, so it likely isn’t an option for customers outside the West Coast. It also means customers need to pick up their cars at the designated port, so things like door-to-door service aren’t available when choosing RORO. That said, the more simplistic nature of RORO shipping usually means a lower price for customers.
Should You Ship Your Car to Hawaii?
Shipping a car to Hawaii can be expensive, so carefully consider whether the cost is worth it. If you own an older car that you plan to soon replace, consider selling your vehicle and purchasing a new car in Hawaii. Depending on the age and mileage of your vehicle, the cost of shipping it to Hawaii may exceed your car’s value.
It’s also smart to research public transportation options in the city where you plan to live. For example, Oahu has some of the best public buses in the U.S., so you may not even need a car to get around.
Recommendations For Hawaii Car Shipping Companies
If you’ve decided to ship your vehicle to Hawaii, it’s time to start looking for the best rate. Not all auto transport companies offer car shipping to Hawaii, but our top-recommended providers do, these include Mercury Auto Transport, Amerifreight, and Montway Auto Transport. Keep in mind that the further in advance you book your shipment, the better rate you are likely to get.
Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
If finding a low price for Hawaii vehicle transport is important to you, we recommend Mercury Auto Transport. It’s our top overall auto transport company due to its low prices and strong shipping options.
Shipping cars to Hawaii is in Mercury Auto Transport’s service range. The company is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an A- rating with a 4.7 out of 5.0-star score from over 600 customer reviews. Veterans and military members are eligible for a discount, as are students and seniors.
AmeriFreight: Best Value
AmeriFreight works with only fully insured drivers who consistently receive high marks from customers. Like Montway, it also ships vehicles anywhere in the U.S., including Hawaii. The company maintains a high standard for carriers by dropping any shipping partner that does not meet customer expectations.
In our AmeriFreight review, we rate the broker 4.8 out of 5.0 for its easy online car shipping quotes process, network of thoroughly vetted carriers, and numerous customer discounts, which include:
- Military: $35 off
- Senior citizens: $25 off
- Return customers: $50 off
- Multiple vehicles: $50 off every additional vehicle
- Early Bird: $25 off if you sign up 48 hours after getting a quote
- First responders: $35 off
- Medical personnel: $35 off
- Students: $25 off
AmeriFreight holds an A+ rating on the BBB as well as a 4.8 out of 5.0-star customer review score based on more than 400 reviews.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Montway is one of our highest-ranked auto shipping brokers. It ships vehicles anywhere in the U.S., including Hawaii. Montway boasts an excellent customer reputation, has an easy booking process, and offers military discounts, which are some of the reasons we rate the company 4.6 out of 5.0 stars in our Montway Auto Transport review.
Montway has an A+ rating on the BBB and a customer review score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on nearly 2,000 reviews. Satisfied customers explain that Montway’s pickup and delivery process is quick and efficient. Customers also appreciate Montway’s communication every step of the way.
Car Shipping to Hawaii: Conclusion
If you’re considering shipping your car to Hawaii, we recommend gathering quotes from Mercury, AmeriFreight, and Montway. The sooner you begin planning the more you may be able to save.
Car Shipping to Hawaii: FAQ
How much would it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?
According to Montway Auto Transport, the cost to ship a car to Hawaii can range from $1,500 to $2,100. You may be able to find lower rates with other shippers, but Montway rates tend to be competitive for the industry. Your final cost will depend on factors such as your shipping dates, vehicle weight, and delivery specifications (such as door-to-door or port-to-port delivery).
Can I ship my car to Hawaii with stuff in it?
You should not ship your car to Hawaii with stuff in it. Personal items in your car may be damaged during shipment. Furthermore, the added weight of these items will increase your shipping cost.
How do they ship cars to Hawaii?
Cars are shipped to Hawaii via boat. Boats are loaded with vehicles and other cargo that is carried between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. You can also ship your vehicle to Hawaii via plane, though this is far more expensive.
Is there a ferry from California to Hawaii?
There are no passenger ferries that travel between California and Hawaii. There are ferries that transport goods and materials, such as automobiles.
How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?
How long it takes to ship a car to Hawaii depends on the season and departure location. According to Montway Auto Transport, it usually takes eight to 12 days to ship a vehicle from Los Angeles to Hawaii.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Shipping Options: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Operations: We take a close look at how each auto transport company operates, including how quickly vehicles get picked up, average transit times, insurance coverage options, and more.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
