Shipping a car to Oahu for a PCS move, to Maui for a new job, or back to the mainland. Every car reaches Hawaii by ship. See what Hawaii routes cost, how long they take, and which companies Hawaii shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
Shipping a standard sedan between the mainland and Hawaii costs $1,500–$2,200 port to port in 2026, and $2,100–$3,900 door to door. Price depends on the departure port, vehicle size and sailing schedule. Moves within Hawaii are priced separately.
Typical prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Hawaii routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach, CA to Honolulu, HI | Ocean (port to port) | $1,500–$2,200 | $2,175–$3,525 | 10–14 days |
| Oakland, CA to Honolulu, HI | Ocean (port to port) | $1,500–$2,200 | $2,175–$3,525 | 10–14 days |
| Honolulu, HI to Long Beach, CA | Ocean (port to port) | $1,500–$2,200 | $2,175–$3,525 | 10–14 days |
| Seattle, WA to Honolulu, HI | Ocean (port to port) | $1,700–$2,500 | $2,475–$4,000 | 12–18 days |
| Long Beach, CA to Kahului, HI | Ocean (port to port) | $1,850–$2,850 | $2,675–$4,550 | 14–21 days |
| Oakland, CA to Hilo, HI | Ocean (port to port) | $1,850–$2,850 | $2,675–$4,550 | 14–21 days |
| Dallas, TX to Honolulu, HI | Ocean, plus 1,480 mi by truck | $2,450–$3,400 | $3,550–$5,450 | 13–19 days |
| Honolulu, HI to Kahului, HI | Inter-island barge | $350–$650 | $500–$1,050 | 3–7 days |
Sailings to Hawaii leave from California and the Pacific Northwest. If you live farther inland, you pay for a truck to the port as well as the sailing, and that leg can cost as much as the ocean crossing.
Honolulu has the most frequent service and the lowest rates. Maui, the Big Island and Kauai often cost more and take longer because of inter-island connections.
Hawaii protects its environment from invasive pests, so cars must arrive clean, with no soil, plants or insects. A dirty undercarriage can be refused at the terminal until it's washed.
Ocean carriers require a nearly empty fuel tank, no personal items and a working battery. Have the car serviced before drop-off so it isn't rejected at the port.
Cars sail to Hawaii from West Coast ports, mainly arriving in Honolulu. Neighbor islands are served directly or by inter-island barge from Oahu.
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Almost every car shipped to Hawaii arrives at the Port of Honolulu. Port-to-port service from California is the cheapest option: you drop the car at the mainland terminal and collect it in Honolulu. Military moves make Oahu one of the busiest vehicle markets in the Pacific.
Maui's main port receives cars directly from the mainland on some services or by inter-island barge from Honolulu. Allow extra time compared with Oahu.
Hilo is the main port on the east side of the Big Island. Cars usually arrive by inter-island barge, so schedules depend on Honolulu connections.
The west side of the Big Island is served through Kawaihae Harbor north of Kona. Check whether your carrier delivers to Kawaihae or Hilo before booking.
Kauai receives cars at Nawiliwili Harbor near Lihue, typically by inter-island barge from Honolulu.
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Hawaii. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 3 years active · 1 quote in Hawaii
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 14 years active · 1 quote in Hawaii
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 4 years active · 1 quote in Hawaii
TrustScore weighs reputation, on-time performance, pricing accuracy, customer experience and FMCSA compliance. Companies cannot pay to change their score; sponsored placements are always labeled. How TrustScore works.
Most cars sail to Hawaii as standard roll-on cargo. Choose a container or enclosed option for high-value cars or when you want the car fully sealed from sea air.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Hawaii price | $1,500–$2,200 | $2,175–$3,525 |
| Truck availability | Standard option on West Coast–Hawaii sailings, with regular departures. | Limited. Usually means a container or enclosed space on the vessel, booked well ahead. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Keeps salt air and sea spray off the car during the ocean crossing. |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most relocations | Classics, exotics, show cars, low-clearance and new luxury vehicles |
| Insurance limit (typical) | $100,000–$250,000 cargo coverage | $250,000–$1,000,000 cargo coverage |
Typical demand for Hawaii routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Summer is peak season, driven by military PCS moves and family relocations. Winter sees more snowbirds heading to the islands. Spring and fall usually offer the most availability.
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Hawaii reviews and price, not price alone.
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Empty the car completely, leave no more than a quarter tank, and photograph every side. Ocean carriers check both before loading.
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the county motor vehicle office (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui or Kauai County).
Shipping a sedan to Hawaii costs $1,500–$2,200 on an open carrier in 2026. Most vehicles move by ocean carrier, and port-to-port rates from the mainland run $1,500–$2,200. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
Ocean transit from the West Coast to Hawaii takes 10–14 days port to port, plus time to deliver the car to the departure port and pick it up on arrival. Book well ahead of your move date, since sailings run on fixed schedules.
The cheapest option is usually port-to-port ocean shipping, where you drop the car at the mainland port and pick it up at the Hawaii port yourself. Door-to-door service costs more because it adds trucking on both ends.
Someone aged 18 or older needs to be present at both ends to hand over or receive the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. It doesn't have to be you, but it should be someone you trust to note damage before signing.
Usually not. Most ocean carriers require the car to be empty except for standard equipment like a spare tire and jack. Ship household goods separately.
Yes. Hawaii requires a periodic safety inspection, and cars shipped in from the mainland need one before they can be registered. Contact your county motor vehicle office for the exact steps.
Look up the company's USDOT or MC number on FMCSA and confirm its operating authority is active and insurance is on file. Then check its TrustScore and reviews from people who shipped to or from Hawaii. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Compare quotes from FMCSA-checked companies Hawaii shippers trust. Free, no obligation.
