Enclosed Car Shipping to Hawaii.
All vehicles shipped to Hawaii via Matson travel in enclosed Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels — the entire ship is a sealed cargo hold. Your car is not exposed to open weather or ocean spray at any point during transit.
Matson Ro-Ro: What "Enclosed" Actually Means
Unlike open-air auto transport trucks on the mainland, Matson's Pacific fleet uses Ro-Ro vessels where vehicles drive into enclosed decks. There is no open-air exposure. Your car sits inside a sealed hull for the entire ocean crossing — same protection whether you're shipping a daily driver or a show car.
Is There an Upgrade for Premium Vehicles?
Matson does not offer a tiered "premium enclosed" product separate from standard Ro-Ro — all vehicles travel in the same enclosed hold. For luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles, the protection is already built in. We recommend purchasing supplemental cargo insurance for high-value vehicles.
What About Rain and Humidity?
Matson's Ro-Ro holds are enclosed from the ocean environment but are not climate-controlled. Some condensation can occur during Pacific crossings. Convertibles with soft tops, vehicles with known water leaks, or cars with exposed interiors should have windows sealed. We'll advise on prep steps for your specific vehicle.
Comparison to Open-Air Mainland Transport
The overland leg (before the car reaches the port) uses standard open-air auto transport carriers — the same type used for all mainland auto shipping. The ocean leg is fully enclosed. If you want enclosed overland transport to the port, that is available at an additional cost — ask when booking.
Why Ro-Ro Beats a Container for Hawaii
Mainland \u201cenclosed transport\u201d means paying a premium for an enclosed trailer. The Hawaii route is different: Matson\u2019s entire Hawaii auto fleet is enclosed by design. Your car drives on under its own power, is secured below deck inside a sealed hull, and is never exposed to salt spray, weather, or road debris for the entire 2,400-mile crossing \u2014 at the standard rate.
Containers do exist for Hawaii shipping, but for a standard vehicle they cost more, take longer to load and unload, and require crane handling. Ro-Ro is why the vehicle must be operational \u2014 steering, brakes, and tires all need to work. If your vehicle doesn\u2019t run, call us before booking and we\u2019ll talk through the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all vehicles shipped to Hawaii in an enclosed container?
All vehicles ship via Matson Ro-Ro enclosed vessels — the ship itself is the enclosure. This is not a separate container; the car drives onto an enclosed ship deck. There are no exposed open-air vehicle decks on Matson's Hawaii fleet.
Is enclosed shipping available to neighbor islands?
The Pacific crossing — yes: your car rides fully enclosed in the Matson hull to Honolulu. The short inter-island barge leg to Kahului, Hilo, or Nawiliwili (2–3 days) is open-deck transport — standard for every neighbor-island vehicle, regardless of who ships it.
Can I ship a convertible to Hawaii?
Yes. Convertibles travel in the enclosed Matson hull same as any other car. We recommend sealing soft-top windows with tape to prevent any moisture intrusion during the Pacific crossing.
Book Online with K'AI — Save up to $100
Skip the manual order. Book directly through our K'AI online portal and save $50 on your port-to-port deposit — or $100 on door-to-port and port-to-door.
Standard Rate
$1,780
Manual booking · full $200 deposit
K'AI Online Rate
$1,730
$50 off your deposit · book online instead of calling in
Fill the form
K'AI texts you a confirmed quote in under 2 min
Book in the portal
Save your card — it is NOT charged at this step
We call to confirm
We verify your car qualifies, confirm dates & final price
You're booked
Card is charged only after you approve the final details
Door-to-port & port-to-door: Save $100 off the $600 deposit when you book online with K'AI (card saved, not charged). We speak with you first to confirm your car qualifies, your dates work, and the price is correct.
Port-to-port to Oahu. Rates for neighbor islands differ.