Hawaii car shipping: the complete guide
Ports, ocean carriers, prep rules, transit time, and cost. Everything you need for a mainland to Hawaii shipment.
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Hawaii shipping is a two leg process
Shipping a car to Hawaii means combining two transport modes. First a carrier hauls your car from your driveway to a mainland port (Long Beach, Oakland, or Tacoma). Then an ocean carrier (Matson or Pasha Hawaii) loads the car onto a roll on roll off ship to Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, or Nawiliwili.
The mainland leg works like any auto transport shipment. The ocean leg has its own rules: cleaning standards, port drop off, and specific prep requirements set by the shipping line and USDA agricultural inspection.
The 4 main Hawaii ports
Each Hawaii island has its own port. Pick by where you live.
Honolulu (Oahu)
The main port for Hawaii. Highest volume, most frequent ship arrivals (twice weekly from Long Beach and Oakland).
Hilo (Big Island, east side)
Direct service for Big Island residents on the east side. Lower frequency than Honolulu, weekly arrivals.
Kahului (Maui)
Maui's main port. Weekly arrivals from the West Coast through Matson.
Nawiliwili (Kauai)
Kauai's port for vehicle imports. Weekly arrivals, smaller throughput than Honolulu.
Matson vs Pasha Hawaii
The two main ocean carriers for vehicles. Both reliable, slightly different routes.
Matson
- Sails from Oakland, Long Beach, and Tacoma to all four Hawaii ports.
- Multiple sailings per week from each West Coast port.
- Largest US carrier in the Hawaii vehicle market.
- Standard transit 4 to 7 days port to port.
- Roll on roll off (RORO) service for personal vehicles.
Pasha Hawaii
- Sails from San Diego and Long Beach to Honolulu primarily.
- Weekly sailings from West Coast.
- Smaller fleet than Matson but competitive rates.
- Standard transit 5 to 7 days port to port.
- RORO service plus container options for higher value cars.
How Hawaii shipping works
From your driveway to the island, step by step.
1. Mainland pickup
Carrier picks up your car at your driveway, drives it to the West Coast port (Long Beach, Oakland, or Tacoma).
2. Port drop and inspection
Car is dropped at the ocean carrier's port terminal. USDA inspection for agricultural pests, then queued for loading.
3. Ocean transit
Matson or Pasha ship sails to your destination Hawaii port. 4 to 7 days on the water.
4. Island pickup
You pick up the car at the Hawaii port terminal with ID and BOL. Drive home, you are done.
Hawaii specific prep requirements
Stricter than mainland because of USDA inspection and ocean shipping rules.
- 1Wash the car (mandatory for USDA agricultural inspection).
- 2Steam clean the undercarriage to remove all dirt, mud, and plant matter.
- 3Vacuum the interior, no food crumbs, no plant matter.
- 4Remove all personal items from the cabin and trunk.
- 5No personal items can travel with the vehicle (carrier rule, no exceptions).
- 6Take fuel down to quarter tank or less.
- 7Disable alarms and toll tags.
- 8Hand over one key, keep a spare.
- 9Bring title, registration, and ID to port drop.
- 10Sign the ocean carrier inspection form at port drop.
Cost and transit time
A standard car (sedan or compact SUV) from the West Coast to Honolulu typically costs $1500 to $2500 all in. This includes the mainland leg, the ocean leg, port fees, and our broker fee. Larger vehicles (full size SUV, pickup truck, 3 row SUV) run higher, sometimes $2500 to $3500. East Coast to Hawaii adds $500 to $900 for the longer mainland leg.
Total transit from your mainland driveway to your Hawaii driveway is typically 8 to 14 days. The mainland leg is 2 to 7 days depending on origin, the port hold is 1 to 3 days, the ocean leg is 4 to 7 days, and Hawaii port pickup is 1 day.
Hawaii shipping pro tips
Steam clean before port drop
USDA will reject vehicles with dirt or plant matter. A $30 steam clean prevents a 1 week delay at port.
Empty completely
Ocean carriers will not load vehicles with personal items inside. Even a phone charger can hold the shipment.
Use Honolulu as the hub
Honolulu has the most frequent sailings. Even Maui or Big Island residents sometimes ship to Honolulu and ferry from there.
Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead
Hawaii sailings fill up. Booking ahead means you get the sailing date you want.
Title and registration matter
Bring your title and current registration to port drop. Some Hawaii destinations require both for release.
Plan for Hawaii registration
Hawaii requires registering your car within 30 days of arrival. Bring out of state title and inspection certificate.
Hawaii shipping rate estimates
All in cost (mainland leg plus ocean leg plus fees). Standard cars only, larger vehicles higher.
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport | Transit Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast to Honolulu | $1500 to $2000 | $2200 to $3000 | 8 to 12 days |
| West Coast to Maui/Kauai/Hilo | $1700 to $2300 | $2400 to $3200 | 10 to 14 days |
| Midwest to Hawaii | $1900 to $2500 | $2700 to $3500 | 12 to 18 days |
| East Coast to Hawaii | $2200 to $2900 | $3100 to $3900 | 14 to 21 days |
Estimates only, your exact rate comes from the live carrier load board. Get an instant quote at the top of the page for real numbers.
What customers say
Verified shipments. Real names. Real routes.
“Shipped my truck from Sacramento to Honolulu. Steam cleaned, dropped at Oakland, picked up in Honolulu 9 days later. Smooth.”
“Moved to Maui and shipped the family SUV. Whipshipper coordinated mainland and ocean legs. One booking, two transports.”
“Big Island move. They explained the USDA inspection upfront and the prep made the port drop quick.”
Frequently asked questions
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