Ship Your Car from California to Hawaii | From $1,530
Ship Your Car from Hawaii to California - Fully Managed, All-In Price
California is the most common return destination for car shipping from Hawaii. Vehicles sail from Honolulu to Long Beach (Southern California) or Oakland (Northern California) — whichever is closest to your final address. One coordinator, one all-inclusive price, from drop-off at the Honolulu terminal to delivery at your California door.
$1,122+
Port-to-port from Honolulu
13–17Days
port-to-door (Oahu)
2 ports
Long Beach & Oakland
4.9★
Google rating
Get Your Free Shipping Quote
Powered by Voyager
Origin
Destination
Origin
Destination
Aloha!
Your quote request is in. Your Hawaii shipping specialist will call or text you within 2 business hours.
Want your quote in the next 10 minutes?
Call or Text NowWhat happens next
"Camilo walked us through the entire calendar — our car was waiting at the terminal the day after we landed. The only company we'd trust with a move like this."
Mike T. — Dallas, TX to Honolulu
"Dropped off at Oakland on a Tuesday morning. Car was at Sand Island sixteen days later. Easiest part of the whole move."
Yuki M. - Alameda CA to Honolulu
4.9 / 5 Stars
212 Verified Google Reviews
Matson Exclusive
Hawaii Route Specialist
USDOT Licensed
DOT #3505506 · MC #1158539
Island-Owned & Operated
Honolulu, HI Based
18 Years Experience
Thousands of Moves
The Mainland Connection
We handle everything from port pickup to door delivery
Shipping requires precise coordination between inland transport and ocean freight schedules. We coordinate your Honolulu drop-off, ocean transit, and California door delivery as a single managed shipment. One coordinator handles the entire return journey from Sand Island terminal to your California address.
The Mainland Connection
We handle everything from pickup to port delivery.
Shipping requires precise coordination between inland transport and ocean freight schedules. We dispatch fully vetted, licensed carriers to collect your vehicle from any location and ensure it arrives at the port on time for the assigned sailing window.
Simple. Transparent. Reliable.
How Shipping from Hawaii to California Works
There is no direct sailing from Honolulu to your California address. Your vehicle travels in two legs: ocean transit from the Honolulu terminal to Long Beach or Oakland, followed by overland delivery to your California destination. We coordinate both legs as a single managed shipment with one all-inclusive price. More customers ship a car from Hawaii to California than any other mainland return route.
For many Hawaii customers, port-to-port is a practical option — if you are flying into Los Angeles or the Bay Area and can collect the vehicle at the terminal yourself. Port-to-port from Honolulu starts at $1,122 to Oahu. For door delivery to your California address, we dispatch a carrier from Long Beach or Oakland directly to you.
Get your quote and confirm your port
Call (808) 378-7540 or fill out the online form. We confirm which California port receives your vehicle — Long Beach for Southern California, Oakland for Northern California — and give you an all-inclusive price locked at booking.
We coordinate your sailing window
We go through your drop-off date, flight, and California move-in date personally and time the Honolulu drop-off so your vehicle arrives at the California port aligned with your schedule.
Self drop-off or port-to-door delivery
You drop your vehicle at the Sand Island terminal in Honolulu with required documents at least 24 hours before sailing. On the California end, we deliver to your door or you collect at Long Beach or Oakland yourself.
Matson sails to California — we deliver to your door
Ocean transit from Honolulu to Long Beach or Oakland takes approximately 7 to 11 days. We notify you when your vehicle arrives and coordinate door delivery to your California address, or walk you through terminal pickup.
Long Beach vs Oakland — Which Port Receives Your Car?
Your California destination determines which port receives your vehicle. Long Beach serves Southern California. Oakland serves Northern California. We assign the arrival port at booking based on your delivery address. The critical detail remains the same: Oakland has stricter clearance limits than Long Beach — if your vehicle exceeds 76 inches in height or width, it cannot be processed at Oakland.
Southern California
Long Beach, CA
Height clearance
7 ft 0 in (84 inches)
Width clearance
7 ft 2 in (86 inches)
Hours
Mon–Fri, 7AM–3:30PM
Lunch closure
11:30AM–1:00PM
California destinations served
LA, OC, San Diego, IE, Bakersfield, Fresno (south route)
Other states
AZ, NV, CO, all Midwest, all South, all East Coast
Northern California
Oakland, CA
Height clearance
76 in (6 ft 4 in) total
Width clearance
76 in total (incl. mirrors)
Hours
Mon–Fri, 7AM–3:30PM
Lunch closure
11:30AM–1:00PM
California destinations served
SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno (north route), NorCal
Other states
Oregon, Washington
Oakland's 76-inch limit - measure before you drive
Oakland's 76-inch height and width clearance applies to your vehicle's total assembled dimensions - including every roof rack, cargo carrier, bike mount, rooftop tent, aftermarket lift kit, and mirrors at full extension. This is 8 inches more restrictive on height than Long Beach's 84-inch limit. If your vehicle is being delivered to Oakland, confirm its dimensions before shipping from Honolulu — there is no same-day alternative if it is turned away at the gate.
Oakland's 76-inch limit - measure before you drive
Fresno-area customers can route to either port. Oakland is approximately 170 miles north; Long Beach is approximately 230 miles south. Oakland is the shorter drive and typically carries lower overland cost from the Central Valley. Call us and we will route you to the more cost-effective option for your specific city.
Hawaii to California Car Shipping Costs
Pricing from Hawaii to California depends on your delivery destination on the mainland. Ocean freight from Honolulu is the same regardless of California region. What varies is the overland delivery leg from Long Beach or Oakland to your California address.
Southern California - Routes through Long Beach
| California Delivery Region | Overland from Long Beach | Port-to-Door Total |
|---|---|---|
| LA Metro / Orange County / Inland Empire (local) | $75 – $200 | $1,197 – $1,322 |
| San Diego / Chula Vista / Carlsbad | $100 – $200 | $1,222 – $1,322 |
| Bakersfield | $150 – $285 | $1,272 – $1,407 |
| Fresno / Clovis (via Long Beach) | $215 – $350 | $1,337 – $1,472 |
| Sacramento area (via Long Beach) | $260 – $460 | $1,382 – $1,582 |
| Far NorCal — Chico, Redding (via Long Beach) | $500 – $650 | $1,622 – $1,772 |
| Port-to-Port - Oahu (drive to Long Beach yourself) | No overland fee | $1,122 |
| Port-to-Port — neighbor islands (collect at Long Beach) | No overland fee | $2,140 |
Northern California - Routes through Oakland
| California Delivery Region | Overland from Oakland | Port-to-Door Total |
|---|---|---|
| SF Bay Area (Alameda, Hayward, Fremont, San Jose area) | $65 – $150 | $1,187 – $1,272 |
| Sacramento / Fair Oaks / Citrus Heights | $95 – $225 | $1,217 – $1,347 |
| Fresno / Central Valley (via Oakland) | $150 – $225 | $1,272 – $1,347 |
| Santa Barbara / Goleta | $325 – $450 | $1,447 – $1,572 |
| LA Metro / Gardena / Glendale (via Oakland) | $275 – $500 | $1,397 – $1,622 |
| San Diego / El Cajon / Escondido (via Oakland) | $285 – $500 | $1,407 – $1,622 |
| Port-to-Port — Oahu (collect at Oakland) | No overland fee | $1,122 |
| Port-to-Port — neighbor islands (collect at Oakland) | No overland fee | $2,140 |
Delivery ranges based on current carrier market to California destinations. Call for your exact all-in quote: (808) 378-7540
Pricing
Starting Rates by Destination Island
Pricing Tip: Shipping from Oahu costs less than from neighbor islands — $1,122 vs $2,140 port-to-port. Neighbor island customers add 5 to 7 days for the Young Brothers inter-island barge leg before the ocean crossing.
Peak season pricing: Peak season surcharges apply June through August - California generates more Hawaii-bound shipments than any other state, and vessels fill up quickly during summer. Book and deposit early to lock your quoted rate regardless of what the market does after you book.
About deposits: Port-to-Door deposit: $600 applied toward your total. Port-to-Port deposit: $200 applied toward your total. Neither is added on top of the quoted price - both are applied against it. What we quote is what you pay, guaranteed.
🌺 Oahu (Honolulu)
$1,122+
Port-to-port from Honolulu
7 to 11 days total
🌿 Maui (Kahului)
$2,140+
Port-to-port from Maui
12 to 18 days total
🌋 Big Island (Hilo)
$2,140+
Port-to-port from Hilo
12 to 18 days total
🌊 Kauai (Nawiliwili)
$2,140+
Port-to-port from Kauai
12 to 18 days total
Ready to get your exact all-in price for shipping from Hawaii to California?
Get a transparent, all-in quote - no hidden fees, no obligations.
Transparent Pricing
Port-to-Door vs. Port-to-Port from Hawaii to California
For Hawaii customers, port-to-port is a genuine option worth considering — especially if you are flying into Los Angeles or the Bay Area and can collect the vehicle at the terminal yourself. Port-to-door makes sense if you need the car delivered directly to your California address.
Port-to-Door
Most convenient option
What you do
Drop off at Sand Island terminal in Honolulu
Overland managed by us
Yes, from Long Beach or Oakland to your CA address
Deposit
$600 applied toward total
LA / Bay Area starting total
$1,187 – $1,322+
Best for
Anyone who needs delivery to their California address
Port-to-Port
Lowest cost option
What you do
Collect your car at Long Beach or Oakland terminal
Overland managed by us
No — you collect at the California port
Deposit
$200 applied toward total
Total from Honolulu (ocean only)
$1,122
Best for
Customers flying into LA or Bay Area who can collect at port
Port-to-port makes sense if you are flying into Southern or Northern California and can collect the vehicle at Long Beach or Oakland on arrival. For most Hawaii customers who need the car at their home address, port-to-door is the right choice. Call us and we will walk through both options based on your situation.
Who Should seriously consider port-to-port. Bay Area customers flying into SFO or OAK are typically under 30 minutes from the Oakland terminal. LA Metro and OC customers flying into LAX are 20 to 40 minutes from Long Beach. If collecting the car at the port fits naturally into your arrival — port-to-port at $1,122 saves you the entire delivery fee and reduces your deposit from $600 to $200. We walk through both options at booking.
Transit Times
Transit Times from Hawaii to California
Hawaii to California has the shortest return ocean transit of any route — 7 to 11 days from Honolulu to Long Beach or Oakland. Oahu customers dropping at Sand Island can have their car at the California terminal in under two weeks. Neighbor island customers add 5 to 7 days for the Young Brothers inter-island leg before the Matson crossing.
Booking lead time: Matson sailings from Honolulu are weekly. Missing the Sand Island drop-off cutoff by one day means waiting a full week for the next departure. Drop off your vehicle at least 24 hours before the scheduled sailing. Book at least 2 to 3 weeks before your target drop-off date. During peak summer months 4 to 6 weeks is recommended.
Stage
Typical Timeline
Sand Island drop-off cutoff (Honolulu)
At least 24 hours before sailing
Inter-island barge — Maui / Big Island / Kauai → Honolulu
5 to 7 days
Ocean transit — Honolulu to Long Beach or Oakland
7 to 11 days
Port processing at Long Beach or Oakland
1 to 2 business days
Overland delivery — Long Beach/Oakland to CA address
Same day to 3 days
Total — Oahu to Southern/Northern California (P2P)
9 to 14 days
Total — Oahu to California address (P2D)
10 to 17 days
Total — neighbor islands to California (P2P)
14 to 21 days
Total — neighbor islands to California address (P2D)
15 to 24 days
How to Prepare Your Car for Drop-Off in Honolulu
These requirements apply at the Sand Island terminal in Honolulu. Documents are required when shipping FROM Hawaii — this is the opposite of shipping TO Hawaii. Vehicles presented without the correct documents will not be accepted and will miss the sailing.
Required: Shipping FROM Hawaii
Vehicle title — original or certified copy required at drop-off. Current
Hawaii registration — must be valid at time of drop-off. Hawaii safety
inspection certificate — must be current and valid. Lien holder
authorization letter — required if vehicle is financed.
Fuel at or below a quarter tank. Required fire safety regulation at Sand Island terminal in Honolulu
Remove all personal items from the interior. No luggage, household goods, or belongings permitted. Enforced at intake and Hawaii agricultural inspection.
Disable the alarm system before drop-off or carrier pickup. Active alarms at port intake cause processing delays.
Exterior and interior cleaned thoroughly. No mud, dirt, seeds, or debris. Hawaii USDA inspectors check wheel wells, undercarriage, and door jambs on arrival.
Vehicle fully operational - steering, braking, and rolling must be 100% functional.
No windshield chips or cracks.
Government-issued photo ID — required at Sand Island terminal drop-off.
Not Accepted - No Exceptions
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not accepted on any route, including Hawaii to California. Standard non-plug-in hybrids are accepted
Non-running vehicles are not accepted. The vehicle must be fully operational at intake.
Documents ARE required to ship FROM Hawaii
Vehicle title, current Hawaii registration, Hawaii safety inspection certificate, and government-issued photo ID must be presented at Sand Island terminal at least 24 hours before drop-off. If your vehicle is financed, a lien holder authorization letter is also required. These are enforced without exception — vehicles without correct documents will not be accepted.
Photograph your vehicle thoroughly before drop-off at Sand Island — all four sides, the roof, and the interior. Photograph again at pickup in California. This documentation protects you in any claim situation on both legs of the shipment.
Insurance Coverage
How Insurance Works on Hawaii to California Shipments
For port-to-port customers who drive themselves to the terminal, the overland insurance layer does not apply - your personal auto policy covers the drive to Long Beach or Oakland. For door-to-port customers, both layers are active from the moment the carrier picks up.
LAYER 1 - Port-to-Door only
Overland Transport (from the port)
$100,000
The land carrier delivering your vehicle from Long Beach or Oakland to your California address carries up to $100,000 in cargo insurance. For port-to-port customers who collect at the terminal themselves, this layer is not in play.
💡
Our recommendation: Verify with your personal auto insurance carrier whether your policy covers ocean transport. Photograph your vehicle thoroughly before drop-off at Sand Island and again at pickup in California. This documentation protects you in any claim situation regardless of service type.
Layer 2 - All customers
Ocean Transport (Matson Vessel)
$8,000
Matson's carrier liability is limited to actual damage sustained, up to approximately $8,000 for an average-sized vehicle. You can declare a higher vehicle value on the Dock Receipt and pay an additional freight rate to increase coverage to the full value of your vehicle.
PCS Moves
Military PCS Moves from Hawaii to California
Hawaii is home to some of the largest military commands in the Pacific — Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Fort Shafter, and Tripler AMC among them. Service members ETS'ing or PCS'ing back to the mainland ship from the Sand Island terminal in Honolulu. California is the most common return destination given its concentration of major bases — Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, Travis AFB, and NAS Lemoore among others. Drop-off at Sand Island is at least 24 hours before sailing with all required documents.
🎖️ Military discounts may apply depending on route and availability. If you need port-to-door delivery to your California base address, we coordinate the full delivery from Long Beach or Oakland directly to you. Call us to discuss both options and which makes sense for your PCS orders.
What we offer military families
Available to eligible service members ETS'ing or PCS'ing from any Hawaii installation to California.
Military pricing - discounts up to 20% for eligible service members (PCS orders required at booking)
Scheduling built around your reporting date, not a generic pickup window
Full documentation coordination - Bill of Lading, condition reports, insurance paperwork
Dedicated coordinator available by phone and email throughout the shipment
Experience handling compressed timelines and last-minute order changes
Hawaii installations served: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Fort Shafter, Tripler AMC, Wheeler AAF, Camp H.M. Smith, Pohakuloa Training Area (Big Island)
SoCal bases delivered to: Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, NAS North Island, MCAS Miramar, Naval Base Ventura County, Edwards AFB, Fort Irwin
NorCal bases delivered to: Travis AFB (Fairfield), Beale AFB (Marysville), Coast Guard Base Alameda, Naval Support Activity Monterey
Camilo Jaime - Lead Shipping Coordinator
Car Shipping Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 18 Years Industry Experience
With 18 years in the vehicle shipping industry and thousands of Hawaii shipments coordinated, our team knows every port, every route, and every mile of your journey. We work with every customer personally from booking to delivery - you are never handed off to a dispatcher after you book. We go through the calendar with you, coordinate pickup timing to your exact sailing window, and stay reachable throughout the entire move.
Real Reviews from Real Virginia Customers
Camilo Jaime — Lead Shipping Coordinator
Car Shipping Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 18 Years Industry Experience
Virginia — and the Hampton Roads area especially — is one of our most active PCS corridors. Naval Station Norfolk alone generates a significant volume of Hawaii-bound shipments every year. With 18 years coordinating thousands of Hawaii shipments, our team knows exactly how to time a Virginia pickup to hit the right sailing window. The overland leg from the East Coast requires more lead time than most people expect, and we build that into every booking.
"
PCS from Naval Station Norfolk to Pearl Harbor. I had a hard reporting date and our team was upfront about exactly how much lead time the Virginia-to-Hawaii shipment needed. The car was at Sand Island Terminal two days before I landed. That is the kind of coordination you need on a military move — nothing left to chance.
Petty Officer 2nd Class M. Chen — Norfolk, VA to Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Virginia Beach to Maui — our team was clear from the start that a neighbor island shipment from the East Coast takes 32 to 40 days. We planned around it and there were zero surprises.
Tom & Angela B. — Virginia Beach, VA to Kahului, Maui
Relocating from Richmond to Honolulu for work. I got quotes from four companies — only Car Shipping Hawaii explained the two-part cost structure honestly. One price, locked. No calls asking for more money before pickup.
Sarah W. — Richmond, VA to Honolulu, Oahu
Camilo Jaime - Lead Shipping Coordinator
Car Shipping Hawaii · Honolulu, HI
California is our highest-volume origin state and the one that runs most efficiently when the booking is done right. Both ports are well-run, carrier availability is excellent statewide, and the short overland legs give us maximum scheduling precision. The detail that trips people up is Oakland's 76-inch limit - we catch that at booking, not at the port gate. With 18 years coordinating thousands of Hawaii shipments, our team knows both ports inside out. We also make sure every California customer thinks through port-to-port seriously, because for a lot of Bay Area and LA customers, it is genuinely the smarter financial move.
Why Car Shipping Hawaii vs. Other Brokers
Most brokers who handle Hawaii shipments specialize in the TO direction only. FROM Hawaii returns require a different process — required documents at the Honolulu terminal, a drop-off window at least 24 hours before sailing, and a coordinator who knows the Sand Island intake requirements. The most common issue for Hawaii customers is a broker who quotes a return price without understanding the documentation requirements, which causes delays or missed sailings at drop-off. What we quote includes full coordination of the entire return from Honolulu to your California address.
| Feature | Car Shipping Hawaii | Typical Broker |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive pricing, no post-booking changes | ✓ Locked at booking | ✗ Last-minute surcharges common |
| Named single coordinator | ✓ Direct, consistent contact | ✗ Call center, different agent each time |
| Matson exclusive specialist | ✓ Hawaii route experts | ✗ General auto transport broker |
| Calendar coordination at booking | ✓ Pickup timed to your sailing | ✗ Generic window, you figure it out |
| Overland + ocean managed together | ✓ One shipment, one contact | ✗ Two vendors, two contacts |
| Insurance explained at booking | ✓ Both layers explained clearly | ✗ Rarely discussed |
| Military PCS experience | ✓ Hundreds of PCS moves | Varies widely |
Booking lead time
Book at least 2 to 3 weeks before your target pickup date. During peak summer months, 4 to 6 weeks is strongly recommended. Virginia shipments need careful lead time — the overland leg is 7 to 10 days, which leaves little room to recover if carrier scheduling slips. A deposit locks your vessel space and your rate.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to California?
Shipping from Hawaii to California starts at $1,122 port-to-port from Honolulu to Long Beach or Oakland. Port-to-door delivery to your California address adds $65 to $650 depending on your destination. LA Metro and Bay Area customers are closest to the ports and pay the least in delivery fees. Your $600 deposit for port-to-door or $200 for port-to-port is applied toward the total, not added on top.
Does my car arrive at Long Beach or Oakland from Hawaii?
Matson vessels from Honolulu arrive at both Long Beach and Oakland. Long Beach serves Southern California — LA Metro, Orange County, San Diego, Bakersfield. Oakland serves Northern California — Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno. We assign your arrival port at booking based on your California delivery address.
What is the 76-inch limit at Oakland and does it affect me?
Oakland's limit is 76 inches (6 feet 4 inches) in both height and width, applied to your vehicle's total assembled dimensions including everything: roof racks, cargo carriers, bike mounts, lifted suspensions, and mirrors fully extended. This is 8 inches more restrictive on height than Long Beach's 84-inch limit. A standard sedan or crossover without additions is well under the limit. A truck with a lift kit or an SUV with a loaded roof rack may exceed it. Measure your vehicle fully assembled before you drive to Oakland.
Is port-to-port worth it when shipping from Hawaii to California?
Port-to-port makes sense if you are flying into Los Angeles or the Bay Area and can collect the vehicle at the terminal yourself. Bay Area customers are under 30 minutes from Oakland. LA Metro and OC customers are 20 to 40 minutes from Long Beach. Port-to-port at $1,122 saves the delivery fee and reduces your deposit from $600 to $200. We walk through both options at booking.
How long does it take to ship a car from Hawaii to California?
Ocean transit from Honolulu to Long Beach or Oakland takes 7 to 11 days. Neighbor island customers add 5 to 7 days for the Young Brothers inter-island leg before the Matson crossing. Port-to-door delivery on the California end adds 1 to 3 days. Total port-to-door from Oahu to a California address runs 10 to 17 days.
What documents do I need to ship my car from Hawaii to California?
Shipping FROM Hawaii requires your vehicle title, current Hawaii registration, a Hawaii safety inspection certificate, and a government-issued photo ID. If your vehicle is financed, a lien holder authorization letter is also required. All documents must be presented at the Sand Island terminal in Honolulu at least 24 hours before your scheduled sailing. Vehicles without correct documents will not be accepted.
My roof rack puts me over 76 inches at Oakland. What are my options?
Two options: remove the roof rack before drop-off so your vehicle fits within the 76-inch Oakland limit, or call us to discuss routing through Long Beach instead, which allows up to 84 inches on height. For NorCal customers, Long Beach means a longer overland run but it may be the only option for taller vehicles. If neither option works, the vehicle cannot ship through our service. Do not show up at Oakland over the limit without calling first.
Do you ship electric vehicles from Hawaii to California?
No. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not accepted on any route, including Hawaii to California. This is a firm policy with no exceptions. Standard non-plug-in hybrids are accepted.
I am ETS'ing from a Hawaii military base — what do I need to know?
Call us when ETS orders arrive. We coordinate the drop-off calendar around your checkout date from your Hawaii installation and your report date or move-in date in California. Required documents for military ETS shipments are the same as civilian: vehicle title, Hawaii registration, safety inspection certificate, photo ID, and lien holder letter if financed. Military discounts may apply with ETS orders at booking. Call (808) 378-7540.
Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
We answer these every day. If yours isn't here, call us directly - we pick up during business hours, Monday–Friday 8 AM–6 PM HST.
Ready to Ship?
Ship Your Car from Hawaii to California with Confidence
Oe team. One all-inclusive price from your Honolulu drop-off to your California address. The number on the page is the number you pay at delivery.
Island-Owned & Operated
Matson Exclusive Specialist
USDOT 3505506
4.9/5 Google Rated
All-Inclusive Pricing
