How Much to Ship a Car from Hawaii to California

Hawaii to California is one of the most searched car shipping routes. See what it costs from Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Kona to Los Angeles, Bay Area, San Diego and Sacramento, how long it takes, and how to book safely.

Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team

How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to California?

Shipping a standard sedan from Hawaii to California costs about $1,500–$3,500 with ocean and truck transport. Honolulu to Los Angeles runs about $1,500–$2,200 and takes 10–14 days. Enclosed or container shipping costs $2,175–$5,600.

Transit time: 10–24 days, depending on the cities and sailing schedule.
Cheapest time: outside summer PCS season.
How it ships: ocean sailing plus mainland trucking; port-to-port is cheapest.

Average cost, sedan: $1,500–$3,500Estimate, depends on cities
Transit time: 10–24 daysIncluding sailing
Route: Ocean + truckScheduled sailings
Container or enclosed: 40–60%Over standard price

Price by city

Hawaii to California car shipping prices

Prices for a standard sedan between the main cities and ports on each side. Darker cells cost more. Tap a city pair to start a quote for that route.

Estimated rates based on distance, carrier demand and season, including ocean freight.
From ↓ / To →	Los AngelesCalifornia	Bay AreaCalifornia	San DiegoCalifornia	SacramentoCalifornia
Honolulu	$1,500–$2,200Ocean (port to port) · 10–14 days	$1,500–$2,200Ocean (port to port) · 10–14 days	$1,825–$2,675Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 11–17 days	$2,000–$2,850Ocean, plus 460 mi by truck · 11–17 days
Kahului	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$2,175–$3,325Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 15–24 days	$2,350–$3,500Ocean, plus 460 mi by truck · 15–24 days
Hilo	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$2,175–$3,325Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 15–24 days	$2,350–$3,500Ocean, plus 460 mi by truck · 15–24 days
Kona	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$1,850–$2,850Ocean (port to port) · 14–21 days	$2,175–$3,325Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 15–24 days	$2,350–$3,500Ocean, plus 460 mi by truck · 15–24 days

LowerHigher

Book with confidence

Three ways to move your car to California

Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.

Full Service

Let Transportvibe handle it

Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Hawaii to California move and handles the details for you. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.

Explore Full Service

Compare

Compare independent companies

See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers that serve Hawaii to California, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.

Compare companies

Red Flag Checker

Check a company before you pay

Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $1,500–$3,500 market range.

Run Red Flag Checker

How your car gets there

The journey from Hawaii to California

Every car shipped from Hawaii crosses the ocean on a scheduled sailing, with trucking on the mainland side.

TruckHonoluluDrop your car at the port or have it collected.Pickup · Hawaii Time
ShipPort of HonoluluDrop-off and inspection before loading.Cutoff times
ShipOcean crossingYour car travels as roll-on cargo or in a container.About 5–7 days at sea
TruckLong Beach or OaklandUnloading and inspection on the mainland.Pickup window
Los AngelesCollect at the port or have it trucked to California.Delivery · Pacific Time

Sailings to Hawaii arrive in Honolulu. Maui, the Big Island and Kauai are reached by inter-island barge, which adds several days.

What to expect

Your shipment, day by day

A typical Honolulu to Los Angeles shipment booked with flexible dates.

Day 0
Book and verify
Compare quotes, check the company's USDOT or MC number, and confirm the price and deposit in writing.
1–2 weeks before
Sailing booked
Your car is booked on a sailing. Missing the port cutoff can push it to the next ship.
Drop-off day
Inspection and loading
You and the port agent note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading before the car is loaded.
+10–14 days
At sea
Your car crosses the Pacific on a scheduled sailing, plus trucking time on the mainland.
Delivery
Inspect and sign
Check the car against the pickup report before signing. Note new damage on the Bill of Lading.

Port or door?

Port-to-port vs door-to-door

The biggest price decision on an ocean route is who moves the car to and from the ports.

Port to port

$1,500–$2,200

You drop off at: Long Beach or Oakland
You collect at: Honolulu
Best for: Lowest price
Transit: 10–14 days

Door to door

$1,800–$2,800

Pickup: Your address in Hawaii
Delivery: Your address in California
Best for: Convenience
Transit: 12–18 days

Prices are estimates for a standard sedan between Honolulu and Los Angeles. Military members on PCS orders may be entitled to have a vehicle shipped by the government, so check your orders before booking.

Both ends of the trip

Leaving Hawaii, arriving in California

Before drop-off in Hawaii

What ocean carriers check at the port.

Clean the car inside and out. Hawaii's agricultural rules don't allow soil, plants or insects. A dirty undercarriage can be refused at the port.
Leave a quarter tank or less. Ocean carriers limit fuel for safety.
Empty the car. Most ocean carriers don't allow personal items, apart from standard equipment like a spare tire.
Bring your paperwork. Expect to show your title or registration, photo ID and, if the car is financed, a letter from your lender authorizing the shipment.

After delivery in California

For new California residents. Confirm current rules with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Register within 20 days. New residents register through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Carry California minimum insurance. Liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
Check inspection rules. Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.
Get a FasTrak if you'll use toll roads in your new area.

Timing

Best time to ship a car from Hawaii to California

Sailings fill up fastest during summer moving and military PCS season.

Dec–Feb

Winter

Lower demand

Most sailing space

Fewer moves mean easier booking.

Mar–May

Spring

Moderate

Bookings pick up

Book sailings several weeks ahead as moving season begins.

Jun–Aug

Summer

Peak

Military PCS and moving season

June to August fills sailings fastest. Book as early as you can.

Sep–Nov

Fall

Moderate

Space opens up

Demand eases after the summer PCS season.

Ready to ship your car from Hawaii to California?

Let our Full Service team book a vetted carrier for you, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.

Full Service Red Flag Checker

Questions

Hawaii to California car shipping FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to California?

Shipping a standard sedan from Hawaii to California costs about $1,500–$3,500 with ocean and truck transport, depending on the cities. Honolulu to Los Angeles is about $1,500–$2,200. Enclosed or container shipping costs about $2,175–$5,600.

How long does it take to ship a car from Hawaii to California?

Most cars arrive 10–24 days after drop-off, depending on the cities, sailing schedule and port handling. Book several weeks ahead, since sailings run on fixed schedules.

Is port-to-port or door-to-door cheaper?

Port-to-port is cheaper because you handle the drive to and from the ports yourself. Door-to-door adds trucking on one or both ends but saves you the trips.

Can I pack personal items in my car?

Usually not. Most ocean carriers require the car to be empty apart from standard equipment like a spare tire and jack. Ship household goods separately.

Does my car need to be cleaned before shipping?

Yes, for Hawaii. Cars must be free of soil, plants and insects to protect the islands from invasive pests. A dirty car can be turned away at the port until it's washed.

Will the military ship my car?

Service members on PCS orders may be entitled to have a vehicle shipped by the government. Check your orders and transportation office before booking a private shipment.

Is it cheaper to ship a car from California to Hawaii?

It can be. Prices depend on how many cars are moving in each direction, so the reverse trip may cost more or less. Compare prices on our California to Hawaii page.

Do I need to register my car in California after moving?

Yes. New California residents need to title and register their vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 20 days. Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.

Related routes and guides

How we estimate prices. Prices, distances and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, ocean freight rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. California registration details come from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).