Military PCS → Hawaii Car Shipping
Military PCS Car Shipping to Hawaii: The Complete 2026 Guide
Every route. Every port. Every installation. We have coordinated hundreds of PCS vehicle shipments to Hawaii across all five branches. Here is everything you need to know, and a team that handles every mile.
$1,580
Port-to-Port to Oahu ocean freight starting price
18 yrs
Camilo's experience coordinating Hawaii shipments
12–14
Days ocean transit, West Coast to Honolulu
Hundreds
Military PCS moves coordinated, all branches
INSTANT QUOTE
“Orders came in fast. Camilo walked me through everything step by step, coordinated pickup at Fort Bragg, and my truck was waiting in Honolulu when we landed. Nothing fell through the cracks.”
SSG Rodriguez, U.S. Army
"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
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
Government Shipping vs. Private: What the JTR Actually Covers
Hawaii is classified as OCONUS (Outside the Continental U.S.) under the Joint Travel Regulations. That changes your entitlements, and knowing the difference saves you money and stress.
Important: Hawaii Is OCONUS Under the JTR
Because Hawaii is an OCONUS duty station, the Department of Defense provides POV (Personally Owned Vehicle) shipping entitlements that do not apply to CONUS-to-CONUS moves. Understanding what is covered and what is not is essential before you book anything.
Government Channel (VPC / DP3)
For your first vehicle, the DoD ships it free through a Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) under the Defense Personal Property Program. You drop off at the designated VPC, the government handles ocean freight, and you pick up at the destination terminal.
Private Channel (Car Shipping Hawaii)
For second vehicles, vehicles that do not qualify for the VPC, or service members who want transparent pricing, a specific sailing, and personal coordination from pickup to delivery, that is where we come in.
Government Channel: What to Expect
✓ One POV shipped at government expense per PCS
✓ Processed through official VPC locations
› Booking windows can be limited, especially June through August
› You get a departure window, not a specific sailing
› Delivery is to the destination terminal, not your address
› No personal coordination contact for your specific shipment
Private Channel: What We Provide
✓ Required for second vehicles (VPC covers only one)
✓ Transparent pricing locked at booking
✓ Calendar coordination: pickup timed to your sailing
✓ Door-to-Port or Port-to-Port service
✓ Camilo as your direct contact start to finish
✓ Available even when VPC windows are booked out
DLA and Reimbursement Note
Your Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is paid directly as an entitlement and cannot be charged to your GTCC. If you use private-sector shipping for a second vehicle or supplementary service, keep all receipts for your travel voucher. We can provide itemized invoices formatted for military recordkeeping. Always verify reimbursement eligibility with your transportation office (TO) before booking.
📄
Move.mil — Official DoD Moving Portal
Submit and track your government POV shipment, find VPC locations, and access your PCS orders documentation.
📄
MilOneSource — Hawaii Installations
Official Military OneSource directory of all Hawaii installations with contact information and relocation resources.
📄
Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) — Full PDF
The governing document for all PCS entitlements. Chapter 5 covers POV shipment rules for OCONUS moves.
All Hawaii Military Installations: Port Routing by Base
Hawaii hosts every branch of the U.S. military across Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. The table below shows every major installation, which island it is on, the correct mainland departure port, and the Hawaii arrival terminal for your POV.
★ U.S. Army
Schofield Barracks
Oahu — 25th Infantry Division HQ
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Fort Shafter
Oahu — U.S. Army Pacific Command HQ
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Wheeler Army Airfield
Oahu — 25th Infantry Division Aviation
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Tripler Army Medical Center
Oahu — Pacific Regional Medical Command
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)
Big Island — 133,000-acre live-fire range
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Hilo Terminal
Fort DeRussy
Oahu (Waikiki) — Military Reservation
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
⚓ U.S. Navy
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Oahu — Pacific Fleet HQ; largest base in Hawaii
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
NCTAMS PAC (Wahiawa)
Oahu — Pacific communications hub
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
PMRF Barking Sands
Kauai — Missile range & electronic warfare
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Nawiliwili (Kauai)
🏈 U.S. Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay)
Oahu — Primary Marine aviation & ground Pacific
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Camp H.M. Smith
Oahu — U.S. Indo-Pacific Command HQ
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
✈ U.S. Air Force
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (USAF segment)
Oahu — Pacific air support & airlift hub
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
Bellows Air Force Station
Oahu — Training & recreational facility
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
🚘 U.S. Coast Guard
Coast Guard Station Honolulu
Oahu — Search & rescue, Hawaiian waters
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Honolulu Sand Island
USCG Station Maui
Maui — Search & rescue, Maui County waters
Port:
Long Beach or Oakland
→ Kahului (Maui)
Port Assignment Depends on Your Origin, Not Your Destination Base
All Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island installations use the same mainland ports. Which port you use (Long Beach or Oakland) depends on where you are shipping FROM, not which Hawaii island you are going to. We determine the correct routing for you during booking.
Military PCS Car Shipping to Hawaii: 2026 Pricing
Our pricing is transparent. What we quote is what you pay. No last-minute surcharges. The formula is simple: ocean freight plus overland transport from your current installation.
Ocean Freight (Customer-Facing Prices)
| Service Type | Destination | Ocean Freight | Transit (Ocean Only) | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port-to-Port | Oahu (Honolulu) | $1,580 | 12–14 days | $200 toward total |
| Port-to-Port | Maui / Big Island / Kauai | $2,400 | 25–30 days | $200 toward total |
| Door-to-Port | Oahu (Honolulu) | $1,580 + overland | 12–14 days ocean | $600 toward total |
| Door-to-Port | Maui / Big Island / Kauai | $2,400 + overland | 25–30 days ocean | $600 toward total |
Estimated All-In Price by Island
📍 Oahu
$1,980+
Door-to-Port from West Coast states. East Coast adds overland transport.
⏳ 12–14 day ocean transit
📍 Maui
$2,800+
Door-to-Port from West Coast. Add overland for inland or East Coast.
⏳ 25–30 day ocean transit
📍 Big Island
$2,800+
Door-to-Port from West Coast. Arrives at Hilo terminal.
⏳ 25–30 day ocean transit
📍 Kauai
$2,800+
Door-to-Port from West Coast. Arrives at Nawiliwili terminal.
⏳ 25–30 day ocean transit
Your deposit locks your rate. A $200 deposit (Port-to-Port) or $600 deposit (Door-to-Port) secures your vessel space and freezes your quoted price regardless of market changes after you book. It is applied toward your total, never added on top. Peak season surcharges apply June through August. Book early.
Overland transport is never a flat rate.
The cost to haul your vehicle from Schofield Barracks differs from the cost from Quantico or Fort Bragg. We use live carrier market data for every origin point. Call or request a quote for your exact all-in number.
Ready for your exact all-in PCS price?
We go through the calendar personally with every service member. Move-out date, flight, housing situation. Give us 5 minutes.
Shipping Back to the Mainland (ETS / PCS Out of Hawaii)
| Route | Price Range | Ocean Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu to Mainland | $900 – $1,200 | 12–14 days |
| Neighbor Islands to Mainland | $1,900 – $2,200 | 25–30 days |
Port Routing & Vehicle Size Clearances
Two West Coast ports serve Hawaii-bound vehicles. Which one you use depends entirely on where you are shipping from. Size clearances are firm. Know your measurements before you book.
🌍 Long Beach, CA
› Height clearance: 7 feet (84 inches)
› Width clearance: 7 feet 2 inches (86 inches)
✓ Southern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix
✓ Denver and all Mountain states
✓ All Midwest installations (Ft. Riley, Ft. Leonard Wood, etc.)
✓ All Southern installations (Ft. Bragg, Ft. Hood, Camp Lejeune, etc.)
✓ All East Coast installations (Fort Belvoir, Quantico, etc.)
Note: Denver-origin vehicles route through Long Beach, not Oakland. The Donner Pass route is not suitable for large auto haulers.
🌍 Oakland, CA
› Height clearance: 76 inches (6 feet 4 inches)
› Width clearance: 76 inches including mirrors
✓ San Francisco Bay Area
✓ Sacramento and Central Valley
✓ Northern California, Oregon, Washington
The 76-inch clearance applies to your vehicle's TOTAL height, including roof racks, cargo carriers, antennas, or any aftermarket addition. Measure before booking. If your vehicle exceeds Oakland's limits, it routes through Long Beach.
Size Restriction Policy
If your vehicle exceeds the clearance limits at its assigned port, Car Shipping Hawaii cannot ship it. This is our policy, not an industry-wide rule. We do not have alternative oversize options to offer.
Hawaii Arrival Terminals
| Terminal | Island | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Island Terminal, Honolulu | Oahu | All Oahu installations. Primary terminal for Hawaii. |
| Kahului | Maui | All Maui installations including USCG Station Maui |
| Hilo | Big Island | Pohakuloa Training Area and Big Island personnel |
| Nawiliwili | Kauai | PMRF Barking Sands and Kauai-based personnel |
PCS Timeline: How Long Does It Actually Take?
Total door-to-delivery depends on where you are shipping from. Always calculate the full journey, including overland transit time to the port.
| Origin Region | Overland to Port | Ocean (Oahu) | Ocean (Neighbor Islands) | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern CA (Long Beach area) | 1–2 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 13–16 days (Oahu) |
| Pacific Northwest / NorCal (Oakland) | 1–3 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 13–17 days (Oahu) |
| Mountain / Southwest (AZ, NV, CO, TX) | 3–5 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 15–19 days (Oahu) |
| Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, DC, NC) | 7–10 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 19–24 days (Oahu) |
| Outer East Coast (ME, FL, NY) | 10–14 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 22–28 days (Oahu) |
| Midwest (KS, MO, OK, IL) | 5–8 days | 12–14 days | 25–30 days | 17–22 days (Oahu) |
Missing the Port Cutoff Is a Real Risk
Matson sails on a set schedule. If your vehicle misses the cutoff for its sailing, it waits for the next available departure, which can be 2 or more weeks. For a PCS move, that means unexpected car rental costs in Hawaii, hotel stays, and expenses most families never factor into their budget. This is why we coordinate pickup timing specifically to hit the correct sailing window for your move-out date.
Booking Lead Time for Military PCS
Standard moves: book at least 2 to 3 weeks before your target pickup date. Peak season (May through August): book 4 to 6 weeks minimum. Summer PCS season is the highest-demand period for Hawaii sailings. Early booking locks your rate and your sailing window.
Transit times are estimates and can vary by season and routing. Always confirm sailing dates at the Matson Navigation sailing schedule.
Transit Times
How Our PCS Vehicle Shipping Process Works
Four steps, one contact, no handoffs. Here is exactly what happens when you ship with us.
Get Your Price & Lock Your Sailing
Call or submit a quote. We confirm your origin base, destination island, and vehicle specs. We quote you an all-in price and lock it with a deposit. Your rate does not change after booking, even during peak season.
Calendar Coordination — We Match Pickup to Your Sailing
Camilo goes through the calendar with you personally. We work backward from your sailing cutoff date to determine exactly when your vehicle needs to leave your current installation. Move-out date, flight date, housing situation, all of it.
Vehicle Pickup & Port Processing
A licensed carrier picks up your vehicle at your designated location and transports it to the mainland port. We coordinate all documentation. At the port, your vehicle is inspected, processed, and loaded onto a Matson vessel.
Hawaii Arrival & Terminal Pickup
Your vehicle arrives at the Sand Island terminal in Honolulu, or at Kahului, Hilo, or Nawiliwili depending on your island. You are notified when it clears the Hawaii agricultural inspection and is ready for pickup. You are never handed off to a dispatcher after booking.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipment
Hawaii's USDA biosecurity requirements are strict. Agricultural inspectors check every vehicle at the Honolulu terminal. This checklist is what we send to every service member before their pickup date.
Required Before Pickup
Quarter tank of fuel maximum
Fire safety regulation. Port enforces this. Drain if needed before pickup.
Empty interior, no personal items
Enforced at both the mainland terminal and Hawaii agricultural inspection. Nothing in the trunk, back seat, or cargo area.
Fully operational: steering, braking, rolling
Vehicle must drive on and off the carrier under its own power.
Clean exterior and interior
USDA biosecurity inspection. No mud, dirt, seeds, leaves, or debris. This includes the undercarriage.
No windshield chips or cracks
Required for terminal acceptance. Repair or replace before shipping.
Photograph your vehicle thoroughly
All four sides, interior, roof, undercarriage. Timestamp photos before pickup and again at Hawaii pickup.
Not Accepted
Electric vehicles (EVs)
Not accepted on any route. No exceptions, no caveats.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Not accepted on any route. No exceptions, no caveats.
Non-running vehicles
Our policy. Vehicle must be fully operational to be accepted.
Personal items in the vehicle
Anything left inside will be removed at the terminal. Ship household goods separately through your TMO.
Vehicles exceeding port height or width limits
Long Beach: 84" x 86". Oakland: 76" x 76" including mirrors and roof racks.
Hawaii's Department of Agriculture enforces biosecurity at every arrival terminal. Learn more: Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture — Plant Quarantine & Biosecurity ↗
Documents required when shipping FROM Hawaii back to the mainland.
Email all copies to the port 24 hours before drop-off. Bring your original government-issued photo ID to the gate.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Title | Front and back copies |
| Current Hawaii Registration | Must be current and valid |
| Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate | The yellow or blue paper. Must be valid. |
| Government-Issued Photo ID | Bring the ORIGINAL to the gate, not a copy |
| Lien Holder Authorization | Only if the vehicle is financed. NOT required for vehicles you own outright. |
Lien Holder Authorization is ONLY required shipping FROM Hawaii.
It is NOT required when shipping TO Hawaii. We see this confused often in online forums. If you are PCSing to Hawaii and your vehicle is financed, you do not need lien holder authorization.
Insurance: Both Layers Explained
Your vehicle passes through two distinct phases of transit, each with different coverage. We explain both at booking. No surprises.
Layer 1 — Land Transport
Overland to the port
Up to $100,000
The land carrier holds up to $100,000 in cargo insurance. This covers your vehicle from the moment it is picked up at your origin location until it arrives at the mainland port. For most PCS vehicles, this covers the full replacement value.
Layer 2 — Ocean Transport
Matson vessel to Hawaii
~$8,000 standard
Matson's carrier liability covers actual damage sustained, up to approximately $8,000 for an average-sized vehicle. If your vehicle is worth more, you can declare a higher value on the Dock Receipt and pay an additional freight rate to increase liability up to the vehicle's full value. Always verify whether your personal auto insurance extends to ocean transport.
Photograph everything before and after.
Before pickup: photograph all four sides, the interior, roof, and undercarriage with timestamps. After Hawaii pickup: do the same immediately before leaving the terminal. This protects you in any claim with either carrier or Matson.
Why Car Shipping Hawaii
Why Car Shipping Hawaii vs. Other Brokers
The #1 complaint we hear from military families switching to us: their previous broker asked for more money after booking, usually days before pickup. Our pricing is locked at booking. Period.
| Feature | Car Shipping Hawaii | Typical Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent pricing, no post-booking surcharges | ✓ Locked at booking | ✗ Last-minute price changes common |
| Named single point of contact | ✓ Direct, consistent | ✗ Call center, different agent every call |
| Matson exclusive specialist | ✓ Hawaii routes only, deep expertise | ✗ General auto transport broker, 48 states |
| Calendar coordination at booking | ✓ Pickup timed to your sailing window | ✗ Generic pickup window, you figure out timing |
| Overland and ocean managed together | ✓ One shipment, one contact, one invoice | ✗ Two vendors, two contacts, two contracts |
| Insurance explained at booking | ✓ Both layers explained clearly upfront | ✗ Rarely discussed until there is a problem |
| Military PCS experience | ✓ Hundreds of PCS moves coordinated | ✗ Varies widely by broker |
| Island-owned and operated | ✓ Based in Honolulu, HI | ✗ Typically mainland-based, no Hawaii presence |
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
Real Reviews from Real Virginia Customers
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.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?
Port-to-port ocean freight to Oahu starts at $1,530 (12–14 day ocean transit). Neighbor islands, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai, start at $2,350 (22–24 days). Door-to-port service adds overland transport from your origin city, which varies by distance. Call us or use the calculator above for your exact all-in price.
How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?
Ocean transit to Oahu is approximately 12–14 days from Long Beach or Oakland. Neighbor islands take approximately 22–24 days. Total door-to-delivery adds overland transit, typically 3–14 additional days. East Coast customers should plan for 21–28 days total. We always show the full timeline at booking, not just the ocean leg.
What is the deposit and does it add to my cost?
A $600 deposit is required for door-to-port or port-to-door service. A $200 deposit applies to port-to-port service. Both are applied toward your total, not an additional fee. The deposit secures your vessel space and locks your quoted rate regardless of what the market does between booking and sailing.
Can I put personal items in my car?
No. The vehicle must be completely empty. Personal items are not permitted under Matson's shipping terms and are enforced at both the mainland terminal and at Hawaii agricultural inspection. The vehicle must also have no more than a quarter tank of fuel due to fire safety regulations at the port.
Can I ship an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid?
No. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not accepted on any route. This is a firm policy with no exceptions regardless of model, battery size, or other factors.
What documents do I need?
Shipping TO Hawaii: no documents required at the port. Shipping FROM Hawaii: vehicle title (front and back), current Hawaii registration, Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate (yellow or blue paper), government-issued photo ID (bring original to gate), and a lien holder authorization letter only if the vehicle is financed. Email to port 24 hours before drop-off.
Which port do I use?
Long Beach handles all shipments from Southern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, the entire Midwest, the South, and the East Coast. Oakland handles San Francisco, Sacramento, Northern California, Portland, and Seattle. Oakland has a 76-inch height clearance including roof racks and mirrors, measure your vehicle before booking if it is modified or tall.
When is peak season and how does it affect booking?
Peak season runs June through August. Surcharges apply and vessel space fills quickly. We recommend booking 4–6 weeks in advance. A deposit locks your quoted rate regardless of what happens to pricing after you book, especially important during summer months.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to the mainland?
Return shipping from Honolulu (Oahu) starts at $900–$1,200 port-to-port with 12–14 days ocean transit. Neighbor island returns (Maui, Big Island, Kauai) start at $1,990–$2,200 with 22–24 days ocean transit. Call for a door-to-door quote with pickup from your home and mainland delivery.
Is my car insured during the ocean crossing?
Yes. Two independent layers apply. During overland transport, the licensed land carrier holds up to $100,000 in cargo insurance. During the Matson ocean crossing, Matson's carrier liability covers up to approximately $8,000 by default. You can declare a higher vehicle value on your Dock Receipt to increase coverage to the full vehicle value, we recommend this for any vehicle worth more than $8,000.
Can I track my car during shipping?
Yes. Once loaded on the Matson vessel you can track it in real time at matson.com. We also maintain direct contact with you during ocean transit and notify you when your vehicle arrives at the island terminal.
Do you ship to all four Hawaiian islands?
Yes. We ship to and from Oahu (Honolulu/Sand Island terminal), Maui (Kahului terminal), Big Island (Hilo terminal), and Kauai (Nawiliwili terminal). Neighbor island rates start at $2,200 port-to-port with approximately 22–24 days ocean transit.
Questions Answered
Common 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 Get Your PCS Vehicle to Hawaii?
We work through the calendar with every service member personally. Give us 5 minutes and we will give you a transparent all-in price and a sailing window that works with your move.
Island-Owned & Operated
Matson Exclusive Specialist
USDOT 3505506
4.9/5 Google Rated
Transparent Pricing
1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817 · Monday through Friday, 8AM to 6PM HST · carshippinghawaii.com
