How It Works

How to Ship a Car to Hawaii, Step by Step

Shipping a car to Hawaii is simpler than most people expect when one coordinator manages every stage. Here is exactly what happens from your driveway to the island, with the timelines and details most companies never explain.

12-14

Days ocean transit

$1,730

Starting ocean rate

18 yrs

Coordinator experience

4.9★

Google rating

Car Shipping Hawaii — Get a Free Quote
1
Route
2
Vehicle
3
Contact

Origin

Destination

"Camilo walked us through the entire process before we even paid the deposit. He matched our sailing to our flight date so the car was already at the port when we landed."

Mike T. — Dallas, TX to Honolulu

On this page

The 6-step process

Port routing and clearance

Preparing your vehicle

Door-to-port vs port-to-port

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

How long does it take?

Insurance: both layers

Why Car Shipping Hawaii

All-Inclusive Pricing

The 6-Step Process, Start to Finish

Most customers have never shipped a vehicle across an ocean before, and most brokers give you a vague overview and expect you to figure out the gaps yourself. Matson car shipping to Hawaii uses enclosed Roll-on/Roll-off vessels, a dedicated overland carrier network, and one coordinator who manages both legs. Below is exactly what happens at each stage, including the behind-the-scenes coordination work that keeps your shipment on schedule.

Last updated March 2026 - rates subject to peak season surcharges June–August.

Booking and Calendar Coordination

Day 1

When you call or submit a quote request, Camilo pulls up the Matson sailing schedule and works backward from your target delivery date. We match three dates together: your preferred pickup day, the next available Matson sailing from Long Beach or Oakland, and your arrival date in Hawaii.

A pickup scheduled too late means missing the vessel cutoff by a day, and a missed cutoff means waiting 7 days for the next sailing. During peak season (June through August), the next sailing may already be full, which can push the delay to 2 weeks or more. We start by getting the calendar right.

What Camilo does on this call

He checks vessel capacity for your target sailing (some sailings book out 3 to 4 weeks ahead in summer), confirms overland carrier availability from your zip code, and calculates total door-to-port transit. If you are shipping from a rural area off a major interstate corridor, he adds 1 to 3 extra days for carrier assignment and tells you that upfront, not after the booking.

Your deposit of $600 (door-to-port) or $200 (port-to-port) locks your all-inclusive rate and secures your vessel space. The deposit is applied toward your total, never added on top.

Carrier Dispatch and Mainland Pickup

1 to 10 days before sailing

For door-to-port shipments, we dispatch a fully licensed and insured carrier to pick up your vehicle from your address. The carrier contacts you directly with a pickup window, typically 1 to 2 days. You hand over the key and sign a Bill of Lading that documents the vehicle's condition at pickup.

Camilo assigns your carrier based on the specific route corridor, not from a generic nationwide dispatch board. A carrier who runs the Phoenix-to-Long Beach lane weekly has that route dialed. A carrier pulled from a random board might be running it for the first time. The difference shows up in pickup reliability and on-time port delivery.

Real scenario

A customer in a gated Scottsdale HOA found out the hard way that their community would not allow a car hauler through the gate. We coordinated a staging pickup at a nearby commercial lot and the vehicle made it to Long Beach on schedule. We build questions about gated communities, building management clearance, and loading zone restrictions into our booking checklist for exactly this reason.

For port-to-port customers, you drive your vehicle directly to the departure port (Long Beach or Oakland) and skip the overland carrier step entirely.

Port Intake and Vessel Loading

Port cutoff day

Your vehicle arrives at Long Beach or Oakland and goes through terminal intake. The port checks fuel level (quarter tank maximum), inspects for personal items (the vehicle must be completely empty), and verifies the vehicle is operational. Then it is driven aboard the Matson Roll-on/Roll-off vessel.

The vessel type matters more than most customers realize. Matson RoRo vessels are enclosed. Your vehicle is stored inside the ship, protected from saltwater, weather, and the elements for the entire Pacific crossing. This is not a container on an open deck. The vehicle drives on, parks inside, and drives off in Hawaii.

Port clearance dimensions

Long Beach allows vehicles up to 7 feet tall and 7 feet 2 inches wide. Oakland's clearance is tighter at 76 inches tall by 76 inches wide, measured with everything attached, including roof racks, cargo carriers, and extended mirrors. If your vehicle is close to those limits, measure before booking. We confirm clearance during your booking call.

Ocean Transit

12 to 14 days to Honolulu

The Matson vessel departs the West Coast and arrives at Honolulu's Sand Island terminal 12 to 14 days later. During this time, you can track the vessel position using Matson's live vessel tracking page.

We send you a confirmation when the vessel departs the mainland port. There is nothing for you to do during the crossing. The next communication you receive from us is when the vessel arrives in Honolulu and your vehicle is cleared for pickup or forwarded to a neighbor island.

Hawaii Port Arrival and Agricultural Inspection

1 to 2 business days after vessel docking

When the vessel docks at Sand Island in Honolulu, your vehicle is unloaded and goes through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture biosecurity inspection. Inspectors check for insects, soil, seeds, mud on the undercarriage, and any organic material that could introduce invasive species to the islands.

The detail most people miss

Mud on the undercarriage is the number one reason vehicles get flagged at Hawaii agricultural inspection. Not the interior, not the trunk. Undercarriage soil from anywhere in the mainland, especially agricultural regions in the Central Valley, Pacific Northwest, or rural Midwest, triggers a mandatory hold. A $30 undercarriage wash before shipping saves a $200 to $400 port cleaning fee and a multi-day delay.

Once cleared, your vehicle is available for pickup at Sand Island (Oahu) or loaded onto a Young Brothers barge for neighbor island delivery.

Island Delivery or Pickup

Same day (Oahu) or +10 to 14 days (neighbor islands)

For Oahu deliveries, you pick up your vehicle at the Honolulu Sand Island terminal at 1411 Sand Island Parkway. Terminal hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Bring your government-issued photo ID and your booking confirmation.

For Maui, Big Island, or Kauai deliveries, your vehicle transfers from Honolulu to your destination island via Young Brothers barge. This inter-island leg adds 10 to 14 days. The Young Brothers barge is open and exposed, unlike the enclosed Matson vessel on the mainland crossing. We explain this distinction at booking so there are no surprises.

Neighbor island terminal locations

Kahului (Maui), Pier 1, Kahului Harbor, Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM. Hilo (Big Island), 55 Kahanu St, Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM. Nawiliwili (Kauai), Pier 2, Lihue, Mon-Fri 7 AM to 3:30 PM. See our Hawaii Port Guide for full terminal details.

Ready to get started?

Talk to Camilo directly. He will walk through the calendar, confirm your route, and lock your all-inclusive rate.

Pricing at a Glance

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Hawaii?

The total cost to ship a car to Hawaii depends on two things: the ocean freight rate and the overland transport distance from your address to the departure port. Ocean freight is fixed. Overland varies by origin city.

Service Ocean Freight Deposit
Port-to-Port to Oahu $1,730 $200, applied toward total
Port-to-Port to Maui / Big Island / Kauai $2,550+ $200, applied toward total
Door-to-Port to Oahu $1,730 + overland $600, applied toward total
Door-to-Port to Neighbor Islands $2,550+ + overland $600, applied toward total
Return: Honolulu to Mainland $1,122+ Contact for details
Return: Neighbor Islands to Mainland $2,140+ Contact for details

Overland transport ranges from $300 for nearby West Coast pickups to $1,100 or more from the East Coast. Every quote we provide is all-inclusive. Your deposit locks the rate and secures your vessel space. No post-booking surcharges.

What all-inclusive means
The price Camilo quotes on your first call is the price you pay. Ocean freight, carrier coordination, vessel booking, and port processing are included. The $600 deposit (door-to-port) or $200 deposit (port-to-port) is applied toward your total, never added on top. For a detailed cost breakdown by state, see our full pricing page.

All-Inclusive Pricing

Port Routing and Clearance Specs

Every vehicle shipping to Hawaii departs from one of two mainland ports. Which port your vehicle uses depends on your pickup location, and we confirm this during your booking call.

Long Beach, California

Primary Port

Height clearance

7 feet (84 in)

Width clearance

7 ft 2 in (86 in)

Routes from

SoCal, SW, Midwest, South, East Coast, Denver

Oakland, California

Northern Corridor

Height clearance

76 in (6 ft 4 in)

Width clearance

76 in (6 ft 4 in)

Routes from

76 in (6 ft 4 in)SF, Sacramento, NorCal, Portland, Seattle, Reno

Denver routing note
Denver routes through Long Beach, not Oakland. The Donner Pass route over the Sierra Nevada is hazardous for large vehicle haulers, so all Colorado and Mountain West shipments go south. Oakland's 76-inch clearance limit applies to the fully assembled vehicle including roof racks, cargo carriers, and mirrors.

Pricing at a Glance

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to Hawaii?

Total time from your driveway to Hawaii is the sum of two legs: overland transport to the West Coast port, plus 12 to 14 days ocean transit to Honolulu. Neighbor island deliveries add a third leg via Young Brothers barge. Here are the current transit estimates by region.

Your Location Overland Ocean Total to Oahu
Los Angeles / San Diego, CA Same day to 1 day 12 to 14 days 12 to 15 days
Las Vegas, NV 1 to 2 days 12 to 14 days 13 to 16 days
Phoenix / Tucson, AZ 2 to 3 days 12 to 14 days 14 to 17 days
Portland / Seattle, WA 2 to 4 days 12 to 14 days 14 to 18 days
Dallas / Houston, TX 3 to 5 days 12 to 14 days 15 to 19 days
Denver, CO 3 to 5 days 12 to 14 days 15 to 19 days
Chicago, IL 5 to 7 days 12 to 14 days 17 to 21 days
Atlanta, GA 5 to 7 days 12 to 14 days 17 to 21 days
Virginia / Mid-Atlantic 7 to 10 days 12 to 14 days 19 to 24 days
New York / New Jersey 7 to 10 days 12 to 14 days 19 to 24 days
Florida / Maine 10 to 14 days 12 to 14 days 22 to 28 days

For neighbor island delivery (Maui, Big Island, Kauai), add 10 to 14 days to the totals above for the Young Brothers barge transfer from Honolulu.

Why booking lead time matters
Standard booking lead time is 2 to 3 weeks minimum. During peak season (May through August), we recommend 4 to 6 weeks. The summer crunch is not just about vessel space. Overland carrier availability tightens at the same time because military PCS moves and family relocations all hit the same window. Camilo starts calling carriers 3 weeks out on summer bookings for states like Idaho and Montana because the carrier pool on those lanes is shallow and a late assignment means missing the sailing.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping

Vehicle preparation is not optional. The port terminal and Hawaii agricultural inspectors enforce these requirements strictly. Vehicles that do not meet these standards are held at the port. For full biosecurity details, see the Hawaii Department of Agriculture requirements.

A simple black checkmark symbol on a white background.

Required: Shipping TO Hawaii

Fuel at one quarter tank or less (fire safety regulation at terminal)

Vehicle completely empty. No personal items anywhere, including trunk and glove box

Exterior and interior thoroughly cleaned, including undercarriage and wheel wells

Fully operational: steering, braking, and rolling must all work

No windshield chips or cracks

Photograph the vehicle from all angles before drop-off or carrier pickup

A bold black multiplication sign or 'x' symbol on a white background.

Not Accepted - No Exceptions

No personal items of any kind. Enforced at terminal and during Hawaii ag inspection

No electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. Not accepted on any route, no exceptions

No non-running vehicles. Must drive, steer, and brake under its own power

No mud, soil, seeds, or organic debris anywhere on the vehicle. Biosecurity requirement

Undercarriage cleaning
The undercarriage cleaning is the step customers skip most often, and it is the step that causes the most port delays. A thorough wash at a self-service car wash with an undercarriage spray takes 15 minutes and costs under $15. A cleaning at the Hawaii port after a failed ag inspection costs $200 to $400 and delays your vehicle release by 1 to 3 business days.

For the full list of preparation mistakes that cause port delays and added costs, read our guide to the 7 most common car shipping mistakes.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance: Both Layers Explained

Your vehicle is insured during both the overland and ocean legs of the journey. We explain both layers at booking because the coverage limits and the claims process are different for each one.

Layer 1

Overland Transport

$100,000

The licensed land carrier provides up to $100,000 in cargo insurance from the moment your vehicle is loaded onto the hauler at your address until it arrives at the departure port. Damage during the overland leg is documented on the Bill of Lading.

Young Brothers barge (neighbor islands)
If your vehicle is going to Maui, Big Island, or Kauai, the inter-island barge leg via Young Brothers carries different insurance terms. The vehicle is transported on an open, exposed barge. We always recommend that customers shipping to neighbor islands verify with their personal auto insurance carrier whether the policy covers ocean and barge transport.

Layer 2

Ocean Transport

~$8,000

Matson's carrier liability covers actual damage during the ocean crossing, up to approximately $8,000 for an average-sized vehicle. You can declare a higher vehicle value on the Dock Receipt to increase the liability limit up to the full value.

All-Inclusive Pricing

Door-to-Port vs. Port-to-Port

We offer two service levels depending on whether you need overland carrier pickup or can deliver the vehicle to the port yourself.

Door-to-Port

Most Popular

Pickup

Carrier from your address

Deposit

$600, applied toward total

Overland

Included and coordinated

Calendar

Pickup timed to your sailing

Best for

Most customers outside CA

Port-to-Port

Best Value

Pickup

You drive to the port

Deposit

$200, applied toward total

Overland

Not included

Calendar

You time your own arrival

Best for

Near Long Beach or Oakland

Port-to-port is practical if you live within a few hours of Long Beach or Oakland. For most customers outside California, door-to-port saves time and avoids the complication of getting to a West Coast port on the right day. See full details on our door-to-port and port-to-port service pages.

Pricing at a Glance

Why Car Shipping Hawaii

There are dozens of auto transport brokers who will take your booking. Most of them handle cars going to every state in the country and treat Hawaii shipments like any other move. Car Shipping Hawaii only does Hawaii.

Feature Car Shipping Hawaii Typical Broker
All-inclusive pricing ✓ Locked at booking ✗ Last-minute surcharges
Named point of contact ✓ Camilo Jaime, direct ✗ Call center, different each time
Route expertise ✓ Hawaii-only specialist General auto transport
Calendar coordination ✓ Pickup timed to sailing Generic window
Single shipment management ✓ Overland + ocean together Two vendors, two contacts
Insurance explained ✓ Both layers at booking Rarely discussed
Vessel type explained ✓ Enclosed RoRo vs open barge Never mentioned
Military PCS experience ✓ Hundreds of PCS moves Varies widely

Written by Camilo Jaime
Lead Shipping Coordinator, Car Shipping Hawaii
1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817. 18 years coordinating Hawaii vehicle shipments. Camilo has handled shipments through West Coast port slowdowns, peak summer backlogs, and last-minute military PCS order changes. Your booking confirmation includes his direct line. He knows your shipment by name, not by ticket number.

I have shipped 7 vehicles back and forth between Hawaii and Colorado using Car Shipping Hawaii. Every single time, Camilo handles it. He remembers my vehicles by name, knows my timeline before I tell him, and has never missed a sailing.
Dan B. — Colorado, repeat customer

Derek B.

— Arizona, 2024

When the vessel docks at Sand Island in Honolulu, your vehicle is unloaded and goes through the Hawaii Department of Agriculture biosecurity inspection. Inspectors check for insects, soil, seeds, mud on the undercarriage, and any organic material that could introduce invasive species to the islands.

Military family

— Oahu to mainland, 2024

PCS'ing from Schofield Barracks with 11 days notice after orders changed. Camilo re-booked the next sailing, handled the paperwork, and our truck was at the mainland port before our report date.

Active duty or PCS'ing to Hawaii? See our dedicated military PCS car shipping page for base-specific details and timelines.

Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?

    Ocean transit from the West Coast to Honolulu takes 12 to 14 days aboard an enclosed Matson vessel. Total door-to-port time depends on your mainland pickup location. West Coast origins add 1 to 3 days for overland transport. Midwest origins add 5 to 7 days. East Coast origins add 7 to 14 days. Neighbor island delivery (Maui, Big Island, Kauai) adds 10 to 14 additional days because the vehicle transfers to a Young Brothers barge in Honolulu.

  • How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?

    Port-to-port ocean freight to Oahu starts at $1,530. Neighbor island ocean freight (Maui, Big Island, Kauai) starts at $2,350 or more. Overland transport from your address to the departure port is added based on distance, ranging from $300 for nearby West Coast pickups to $1,100 or more for East Coast origins. Your $600 deposit is applied toward the total, not added on top.

  • Can I ship personal items inside my car to Hawaii?

    No. Vehicles must be completely empty for Hawaii shipments. This is enforced at the mainland port terminal and again during Hawaii agricultural inspection. Any personal items found during inspection will be removed and may delay your vehicle's release.

  • What documents do I need to ship a car to Hawaii?

    When shipping to Hawaii, no documents are required at the port. You need your vehicle, your key, and fuel at or below one quarter tank. When shipping from Hawaii to the mainland, you need your vehicle title (front and back copies), current Hawaii registration, Hawaii safety inspection certificate, and a government-issued photo ID. If your vehicle is financed, you also need a lien holder authorization letter. Lien holder authorization is only required when shipping from Hawaii, never when shipping to Hawaii.

  • Does Car Shipping Hawaii ship electric vehicles or EVs?

    No. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not accepted on any route. This is a firm policy with no exceptions.

  • What happens if my car misses the sailing?

    If your vehicle does not arrive at the port before the cutoff for your scheduled sailing, it waits for the next available departure. Matson sails weekly from Long Beach and Oakland, so a missed sailing typically means a 7-day delay at minimum. During peak season (June through August), the next sailing may already be at capacity, which can push the delay to 2 weeks or more.

  • Is my car insured during shipping?

    Yes. Insurance is provided in two layers. The overland carrier carries up to $100,000 in cargo insurance for the land transport leg. The ocean carrier (Matson) provides limited liability coverage of approximately $8,000 for an average-sized vehicle. You can declare a higher vehicle value on the Dock Receipt for additional coverage. We always recommend verifying with your personal auto insurance whether your policy covers ocean transport.

  • What is the difference between door-to-port and port-to-port?

    Door-to-port means we pick up your vehicle from your address and deliver it to the departure port for ocean transit. The $600 deposit covers your vessel booking and overland carrier coordination. Port-to-port means you drive the vehicle to the departure port (Long Beach or Oakland) yourself. The deposit is $200. Port-to-port makes sense if you live near a West Coast port. For most customers east of California, door-to-port saves time and avoids the complication of getting to the port yourself.

  • Can I ship my car from Hawaii back to the mainland?

    Yes. Shipping a car from Hawaii to the mainland starts at $1,122 from Honolulu and $2,140 from neighbor islands. The process is similar but the document requirements are different. When shipping from Hawaii, you must email copies of your vehicle title (front and back), current Hawaii registration, Hawaii safety inspection certificate, and government-issued photo ID to the port at least 24 hours before drop-off. If the vehicle is financed, you also need a lien holder authorization letter. Lien holder authorization is only required when shipping from Hawaii, never when shipping to Hawaii.

  • Does Car Shipping Hawaii use Matson or Pasha vessels?

    We ship exclusively via Matson Navigation Company vessels on the mainland-to-Hawaii route. Matson operates enclosed Roll-on/Roll-off vessels, which means your vehicle is driven aboard and stored inside the ship, fully protected from saltwater and weather for the entire Pacific crossing. Pasha Hawaii is a separate ocean carrier that also services the Hawaii route. We chose to specialize in Matson routing because of their sailing frequency, terminal locations, and our 18 years of experience coordinating shipments through their system. Car Shipping Hawaii is an independent licensed freight broker and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Matson Navigation Company.

Ready to Ship?

Ship Your Car to Hawaii
with Confidence

One coordinator. All-inclusive pricing. No surprises between your driveway and the island.

4.9 / 5 Stars - 212 Reviews

Island-Owned & Operated

Matson Route Specialist

USDOT 3505506 · MC 1158539

1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817

Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM HST

(808) 378-7540