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Is It Worth Shipping A Car From Hawaii To Mainland?

Camilo Jaime • Jan 12, 2021
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If you need to ship your car from Hawaii back to the mainland United States, the process's practicality is unique to each case. Meaning the cost and affordability will be determined by factors such as the destination, shipping type, vehicle type, etc. And these factors will, in turn, decide whether or not it will be feasible for you to ship your car back to the continental US or not.

Preparation For Shipping A Car From Hawaii To Mainland

If you are moving to the mainland and looking to take your vehicle with you, you will need to make arrangements for ground transport in addition to sea transport. Additionally, you will have to keep in mind the fact that the cost of shipping a car to Hawaii or mainland to the mainland will be calculated in a somewhat different manner compared to shipping it across the continental states.

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Streamlining The Shipment Process

The process of shipping a car to Hawaii or from Hawaii may not be as complicated as some may perceive. The critical step in making sure that shipment is seamless depends on hiring the services of a reliable shipping company. Make sure that you work with a shipping company that has the practical experience required in the field of shipment and logistics.

How Much Does Shipping A Car From Hawaii To Mainland Cost?

When shipping a car back to the mainland from Hawaii, the price will depend on several factors. These include the make, model, and manufacture year of the car as well as the distance from port to port, amongst many other things. When shipping companies calculate the quotation they offer to clients, they look at all these factors to determine how much it will cost to get the vehicle shipped.

How Are Shipping Costs Determined?

As mentioned above, many factors are taken into account before determining the shipping costs. These include variable elements that you need to adjust according to your requirements to get an affordable shipping quotation from your shipping company. For example, you can get a much better rate if you make a reservation in advance, as it may offer the agency ample time in arranging feasible transportation for your vehicle.


Similarly, variables such as the cost of fuel, geographic limitations, and the type of freight may also affect your chances of getting affordable rates in shipping your vehicle back to the mainland United States. It is essential to get familiar with these variables, as a better understanding will help you develop a strategy in getting the most affordable deal in getting your vehicle shipped. These variables include:

The Shipping Destination Of The Vehicle

The cost of shipping car from Hawaii to the mainland may vary based on which state you are looking to ship your vehicle to. If you are looking to ship your vehicle to New York City, the price would be higher than if your destination was closer to Hawaii, e.g., California or Nevada. Based on these circumstances, the affordability and utility of sending your vehicle may also differ considerably.

The Port Of Destination

Based on the destination of your vehicle, the shipping agency will select the closest port in proximity and ship your vehicle there via sea. And whilst most ports of destination will offer a somewhat uniform fee, there may be some ports that may be more expensive as compared to others.

Advanced Booking Period

If you want your vehicle to be shipped affordably, you may profit from securing a reservation a few months before you plan to ship your vehicle. It is a lot more complicated for the shipping agencies to schedule a carrier for shipping your car on short notice. Meaning the more extended period of time you will reserve prior to shipment, the better will be the rate that the agency will be able to offer you.


If you need to conserve cash while shipping your vehicle, you need to schedule ahead of time to ensure that you don't have to pay a higher price on sending your car to the mainland. Freight companies manage to grant you a more cost-effective rate as long as you provide them with an adequate amount of time.

Seasonal Variations

The time of year during which you decide to ship your vehicle will have a direct effect on the amount of money you have to pay. If you select a busy season to send your vehicle, you will have to pay a higher price due to the demand leading to a hike in the rates of shipping. For example, the rates of shipping will always be higher in the summer due to the greater demand caused by more people shifting states. You can get a much more affordable package if you decide to ship your vehicle to the mainland in wintertime compared to summer.

Methods Of Shipment

Different shipment companies are able to offer you various methods of getting your vehicle shipped to the mainland. The two primary forms of car shipping from Hawaii to the mainland are shipment by cargo plane and a freight ship. When it comes to the pricing, you can get more affordable shipping solutions if you decide to ship by sea, as air cargo can sometimes cost almost three times as much as shipping by sea. The feasibility in terms of logistics offered by freight ships makes them a more affordable method of shipment as compared to cargo planes. 

Make And Model Of The Vehicle

The vehicle's make and model will play a significant role in deciding how expensive the shipment will be. If you own a larger vehicle, such as a minivan or a truck, you may have to pay a greater fee, whilst a smaller SUV or sedan will be cheaper. 

How Can You Get Your Vehicle Shipped Affordably?

Based on all the factors that have been listed above, you can make an informed and calculated decision in order to get the most affordable rates for car shipping from Hawaii to mainland. Making the right choices at the right time will be crucial in your quest to ship your vehicle back to the mainland United States feasibly. In order to affordably ship your vehicle, make sure you:

Make A Reservation Months Ahead Of Time

When you make reservation months ahead of time, you are able to offer the shipping provider ample time to book the vacancy on the freighter and make arrangements to ship your vehicle to the destination once it has been offloaded on the port. Make sure that you make a reservation at least one month ahead of the final date of shipment if you are looking to ship your vehicle affordably.

Ship During The Right Season

Unless you are looking to ship your vehicle on short notice, making plans in the winter can help you make a lot of savings on the shipment of your vehicle. Demand for shipping services is high in the summer, meaning that the quotation you receive from the shipping agency will be a lot higher. If possible, you should plan your move to the mainland United States in the wintertime in order to save money on shipping.

Choosing The Right Method Of Shipment

The only reason to choose shipment via an aeroplane is in case you are looking to get your vehicle shipped as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it would be best if you chose the cheapest option to ship your car, which will be an open carry freighter with no additional options selected. These options are only needed in case you are shipping a luxury vehicle, and even in such cases, you needn't worry due to the fact that all shipping companies offer on-board insurance in case anything were to happen during the process of shipping.

What Makes Shipping Your Car To Hawaii Worth It?

Now that you know how shipping costs are calculated, you have a better understanding of how you can get the ideal quotation to make shipping worth your while. And as long as you put in a little more effort into choosing the right time and shipping provider, you will find that shipping your vehicle back to the continental United States is a lot more feasible compared to selling your car in Hawaii and then purchasing another one on the mainland or to buy car on mainland and ship to Hawaii.

How To Choose The Right Shipment Provider

Conclusively, you need to make sure that you choose a shipment provider that is capable of offering the logistical access required at an affordable rate. Choosing the right shipping service provider will be critical for those looking to safely send their vehicle back to the mainland in a reliable and affordable manner.


And for those looking to ship their car from the mainland to Hawaii and vice versa, Car Shipping Hawaii offers affordable shipping options that include door to port and port to door services, meaning that you will be putting your vehicle in the hands of experts with years of practical shipment experience as they deliver your car in a safe and reliable manner at the best industry rates. Visit Car Shipping Hawaii in order to get an affordable and feasible quotation on the shipment of your vehicle.

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