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Different Types of Car and Auto Carriers and What They Transport

Camilo Jaime • Jul 28, 2021
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Nothing quite beats exploring everything Hawaii has to offer while driving your own car. After all, driving your own car gives you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy the sights and exciting activities at your own pace. 



However, if you want to bring your car to Hawaii, you will need to avail yourself of a Hawaii car transport’s services to transport your car from the mainland. After all, no roads connect Hawaii to the mainland, making it physically impossible to drive your car over.


Still, there are a few things you need to consider when shipping vehicle to Hawaii, such as the type of car carrier used and the costs involved.


With that said, this article will cover the different types of car and auto carriers most car shipping companies in Hawaii use, as well as what vehicle types they transport.

Why You Need Auto Shipping to Hawaii

Before discussing the different types of auto carriers and the vehicles they transport, let’s first delve deeper into why you need the service of a Hawaii car transport company. 


As mentioned, exploring Hawaii with your own car can be a fantastic experience. However, you will need to avail of a car shipping service to transport your car from the mainland to Hawaii and vice-versa. 


This is because no physical roads connect the Hawaiian islands to the mainland since they’re located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In fact, the large stretch of ocean between Hawaii and the nearest US states, Alaska and California, makes it impossible to build roads to connect Hawaii to the US mainland.


Because of this, you will need a car shipping company’s services to bring your car over to Hawaii. Alternatively, you can choose to rent a car once you’re there, but this can end up being more costly than having your car shipped.

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Car Shipping Methods to Hawaii

Now that you know why you need a car shipping company, let’s discuss how Hawaii car transport companies ship vehicles to Hawaii.


Generally, car shipping companies tend to use two methods for shipping cars to Hawaii. These are:

Open-Air Transportation

If you avail of this shipping method, your car will only be secured to the vessel without the protection of a shipping container. As a result, your vehicle is more exposed to the elements, such as rain, snow, and wind. 


Although this method tends to pose more risks for owners, it can be the more affordable and readily available option. In fact, since most car shipping companies in Hawaii offer this option, you’re more likely to book the exact date and time you want without paying extra to do so.


So, if you’re on a tight schedule or budget, open-air transportation can be the ideal car shipping method for you. However, make sure you hire the services of a reputable car shipping company, such as Car Shipping Hawaii, to ensure the safe transportation of your car.


For this, you can also check Hawaii car transport reviews to learn more about your chosen company’s service quality.

Enclosed Transportation

On the other hand, if you’re worried about the damages your car might receive with open-air transport, you can choose to avail of enclosed car transportation to ship your car to Hawaii. 

Unlike the former, this method uses a shipping container to give your car added protection against potential damages. With this, you can ensure that your vehicle is well-protected against harsh outdoor elements, especially as it travels through the Pacific Ocean.


However, the downside is that shipping a vehicle to Hawaii cost using this method is significantly higher than open-air transportation. Moreover, depending on the type of enclosed shipping you’re availing of, the shipping’s total duration can take longer than expected.


Nevertheless, this can be the better option for you, especially if you’re shipping a luxury or brand-new car to Hawaii since this method offers more protection for your vehicle. 


In addition, some companies, like Car Shipping Hawaii, offer Hawaii car transport tracking with this method so that you can receive frequent updates on your vehicle’s status. 

Different Types of Car and Auto Carriers to Hawaii

Now that you know what the two shipping methods are, let’s discuss the types of carriers Hawaii auto transport companies use to ship vehicles to Hawaii.

RO-RO (Roll-On, Roll-Off)

This is the most popular type of open-air car shipping since car shipping companies only need to load the vehicle onto the vessel by driving the car directly into the ship or using a separate modular transporter.


Overall, this is an excellent option if you’re looking to reduce the cost to ship vehicle to Hawaii or on a tight schedule since these types of carriers are often readily available. 


Aside from this, some RO-RO ships can also accommodate several types of cars, including tractors, trucks, and other types of vehicles. So, if you have a larger vehicle, this can be an excellent option for you.


Of course, although shipping companies strive to secure your vehicle as best as they possibly can, this type of auto carrier doesn’t offer the same protection as a shipping container.

Consolidated Container Shipping

When it comes to car shipping, consolidated container shipping is another popular option since it offers added protection to your vehicle, especially against the elements. Aside from this, this type of car carrier also reduces the chances of incurring damages due to too much movement while in transit.


In addition, depending on the size of the shipping container and your vehicle, Hawaii car transport companies can accommodate several cars at once in a single shipping container. 


For example, 20-foot shipping containers can accommodate two sedan-sized vehicles at once. In comparison, 40-foot containers can handle up to five sedan-sized vehicles or three SUV-sized vehicles at once.


So, if you choose to ship it with other cars, you get to enjoy a lower shipping cost along with the added protection of the shipping container. However, the downside to this is that you will need to wait until the container is filled before the ship sails. 


Therefore, it might take a while before you receive your car in Hawaii. Nevertheless, you can keep track of your car’s status the entire time through Hawaii car transport tracking.

Private Container Shipping

If budget isn’t an issue and you’re on a tight schedule, you can also choose to avail of private container shipping to ship your car to Hawaii. With this, the shipping container only includes your vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about filling it up before it’s shipped out.


This can be excellent if you’re transporting a luxury or more high-end vehicle since you don’t have to worry about receiving damages from other cars during transit. In addition, you’ll receive your car in Hawaii much more quickly since they’re only transporting your car across the ocean.


Of course, it goes without saying that this type of car carrier is the most expensive among all the options, mainly since the shipping vessels can’t really maximize the cost of their fuel consumption in this case.


Nevertheless, it can still be the ideal option for you if you want both speed and protection for your vehicle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How to transport a car to Hawaii?

    As mentioned, the only way to transport a vehicle to Hawaii is by availing of a car shipping company’s services. Since no physical roads or bridges connect Hawaii to the US mainland, it’s impossible to drive your car to Hawaii like you would in other states.


    In this case, you can opt for open-air transport or enclosed transport to ship your car to Hawaii. Of course, both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so weigh these carefully when deciding what option to choose. 

  • How much is it to transport a car to Hawaii?

    Depending on the type of shipping method you choose or the services you avail of, transporting a car to Hawaii can cost approximately 1,500 USD to 1,800 USD. In terms of shipping methods, open-air transportation is typically more affordable than enclosed transportation.


    Moreover, port-to-port services tend to cost less than port-to-door services. Overall, it’s best to check with your chosen car shipping company for more details.

  • How much to ship a vehicle to Hawaii?

    As mentioned, the cost of shipping a vehicle to Hawaii will usually cost somewhere between 1,500 USD to 1,800 USD. 


    However, aside from the shipping method and type of services, other factors tend to affect the cost as well, such as your vehicle type, weight, and size, location, and season.

Final Thoughts

Overall, shipping your vehicle to Hawaii can be a fantastic idea, especially if you’re planning to use your car to get around Hawaii. With this, not only can you enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian sceneries at your own pace, but having your own car in Hawaii can also make getting around more convenient.



However, it’s crucial to know what Hawaii car transport company is best for your needs, especially if you want to ensure your car is delivered to you in Hawaii safely. 


In addition, you also need to consider the different types of auto carriers your preferred car shipping company offers to ensure you pick the most suitable one. For this, you can check different Hawaii car transport reviews and learn more about what your chosen company’s services are like.

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