Ship Your Car from San Diego to Hawaii
San Diego to Hawaii Car Shipping — Fully Managed, All-In Price
San Diego ships through Long Beach, the closest Matson terminal — about two hours up I-5. We pick up anywhere in San Diego County, or you drop off at the port yourself. One coordinator, one all-inclusive price, your sailing confirmed before you book.
Long Beach
Your departure port
13–17Days
door-to-port (Oahu)
~2 hours
San Diego to the port
4.9★
Google rating
"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 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 anywhere in San Diego County and ensure it reaches the Long Beach terminal on time for its assigned sailing.
Simple. Transparent. Reliable.
How San Diego to Hawaii Car Shipping Works
San Diego ships through Long Beach, the closest Matson terminal — roughly 100 miles, about two hours up I-5. From there your vehicle sails to Honolulu and the neighbor islands on the same Matson vessels as every other West Coast origin.
Because the port is close, port-to-port is often the smart financial choice: you drive the car to Long Beach yourself and skip the overland fee entirely. If that doesn't fit your move, door-to-port pickup anywhere in San Diego County is available.
Get your quote and confirm your port
Call (808) 378-7540 or fill out the online form. We confirm your Long Beach drop-off or San Diego County pickup, verify your vehicle fits the port's clearance limits, and lock your all-inclusive price at booking.
We coordinate your sailing window
We go through the calendar with you personally — your move-out date, flight, and housing — and time the drop-off or carrier pickup so your vehicle reaches Long Beach for the next available Matson sailing.
Door-to-port carrier pickup or self drop-off
For door-to-port, a licensed carrier picks up at your San Diego County address and transports it to Long Beach. For port-to-port, you drive to the terminal yourself with your ID during business hours.
Matson sails to Hawaii - you pick up at the terminal
Ocean transit from Long Beach to Honolulu takes approximately 12 to 14 days. We notify you when your vehicle reaches available status at the Hawaii terminal and walk you through pickup.
Your Departure Port: Long Beach
San Diego vehicles ship from the Matson terminal at Long Beach — the closest port, about two hours up I-5. There's no port decision to make: every San Diego shipment routes through Long Beach. We confirm your drop-off appointment at booking.
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
Pickup areas
San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, El Cajon, Carlsbad
Other states
AZ, NV, CO, all Midwest, all South, all East Coast
Measure before you drive to Long Beach
Long Beach accepts vehicles up to 84 inches tall and 86 inches wide — but that's your vehicle's total assembled height and width, including roof racks, cargo carriers, bike mounts, rooftop tents, lift kits, and mirrors at full extension. If your vehicle exceeds the clearance, it will be turned away at the gate. Measure at the tallest and widest points before your drop-off, and tell us your dimensions at booking so we confirm fit in advance.
San Diego to Hawaii Car Shipping Costs
Your San Diego to Hawaii price has two parts: a fixed ocean freight rate set by your destination island, plus a short overland leg to the Long Beach terminal — small, because San Diego is only about two hours away. Below are typical door-to-port totals to Oahu; for a full breakdown by service and island, see our cost to ship a car to Hawaii page.
San Diego — Routes through Long Beach
| Service | What you do | Total to Oahu |
|---|---|---|
| Port-to-Port | Drive to Long Beach yourself | $1,730 |
| Door-to-Port | We pick up in San Diego County | $1,805 – $1,930 |
| Port-to-Port — neighbor islands | Via Honolulu barge | $2,550+ |
Overland is short from San Diego — most of your total is fixed ocean freight. Call for your exact all-in quote: (808) 378-7540
Pricing
Starting Rates by Destination Island
Pricing Tip: Shipping to Oahu rather than a neighbor island saves roughly $820 on ocean freight alone. Virginia to neighbor island shipments can take 32 to 40 days total - plan well ahead if Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island is your destination.
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: Door-to-Port 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)
$1,780+
Port-to-port
13 to 17 days total
🌿 Maui (Kahului)
$2,550+
Port-to-port
26 to 32 days total
🌋 Big Island (Hilo)
$2,550+
Port-to-port
26 to 32 days total
🌊 Kauai (Nawiliwili)
$2,550+
Port-to-port
26 to 32 days total
Ready to get your exact all-in price from California?
Get a transparent, all-in quote - no hidden fees, no obligations.
Transparent Pricing
Door-to-Port vs. Port-to-Port
Door-to-port is the fully managed option: a carrier picks up at your San Diego County address and we handle the leg to Long Beach. Port-to-port is the lowest-cost option: you drive the car to Long Beach yourself and skip the overland fee. Since San Diego is only about two hours from the port, port-to-port is a genuine money-saver worth considering.
Door-to-Port
Most flexible option
What you do
Nothing - carrier picks up at your door
Overland managed by us
Yes, from San Diego County
Deposit
$600 applied toward total
Bay Area / LA starting total
Starting total: $1,805+
Best for
Anyone who wants full end-to-end management
Port-to-Port
Lowest cost option
What you do
Drive your car to Long Beach
Overland managed by us
No - you drive to the terminal
Deposit
$200 applied toward total
Total to Oahu (ocean only)
$1,730
Best for
Bay Area, LA Metro, SD customers near the port
For most San Diego customers, port-to-port makes sense if dropping the car at Long Beach fits your move. If not, door-to-port handles the pickup for a small overland fee.
Who Should seriously consider port-to-port. If you're in San Diego County and dropping off at Long Beach fits your schedule, port-to-port at $1,730 to Oahu saves the entire overland fee and drops your deposit from $600 to $200. We walk through both options at booking.
Transit Times
Transit Times to Hawaii
Because San Diego is close to Long Beach, your total timeline is mostly just ocean transit. A port drop-off can have your car in Honolulu in about 13 to 15 days — overland to Long Beach plus the crossing.
Booking lead time: Even with a same-day overland leg, Matson sailings are weekly. Missing the port cutoff by one day means waiting a full week for the next departure. Book at least 2 to 3 weeks before your target date. During peak summer months, 4 to 6 weeks is strongly recommended.
Leg
Typical Timeline
San Diego County to Long Beach
Same day to 1 day
Port processing at Long Beach
1 to 2 business days
Ocean transit to Honolulu (Oahu)
Approximately 12 to 14 days
Ocean transit to neighbor islands (via Honolulu barge)
Approximately 25 to 30 days
Total — San Diego to Oahu
13 to 17 days
Total — San Diego to neighbor islands
26 to 32 days
How to Prepare Your Car Before Pickup or Drop-Off
These requirements apply whether you are dropping off at Long Beach or Oakland yourself, or having a carrier pick up at your California address. They are enforced at both port terminal intakes and at Hawaii's biosecurity inspection - run by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. No documents are required at the port when shipping to Hawaii.
Required: Shipping TO Hawaii
Fuel at or below a quarter tank. Required fire safety regulation at Long Beach and Oakland - both enforce this at intake.
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.
If using Oakland: measure your vehicle's total assembled height and width including all roof racks, cargo carriers, and mirrors fully extended before you leave home. The limit is 76 inches in both dimensions. Vehicles over the limit are turned away at the gate with no same-day alternative.
Bring government-issued photo ID and vehicle registration for Hawaii terminal pickup.
Not Accepted - No Exceptions
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not accepted on any route, including California to Hawaii. Standard non-plug-in hybrids are accepted
Non-running vehicles are not accepted. The vehicle must be fully operational at intake.
No documents needed to ship TO Hawaii
No title, registration, or authorization paperwork is required at Long Beach or Oakland when shipping to Hawaii. Documents are only required when shipping FROM Hawaii back to the mainland. Bring your government-issued photo ID and registration when picking up at the Hawaii terminal.
Photograph your vehicle thoroughly before drop-off- all four sides, the roof, and the interior. This documentation protects you in any claim situation.
Insurance Coverage
How Insurance Works on California to Hawaii 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 - Door-to-Port only
Overland Transport (to the port)
$100,000
The land carrier transporting your vehicle carries up to $100,000 in cargo insurance for the overland portion. For port-to-port customers who self-deliver, this layer is not in play - your personal auto policy covers the drive to Long Beach or Oakland.
💡
Our recommendation: Verify with your personal auto insurance carrier whether your policy covers ocean transport. Photograph your vehicle thoroughly before drop-off and again when you pick up in Hawaii. 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 California to Hawaii
California is our highest-volume PCS origin state for Hawaii-bound shipments. The state has a dense concentration of major military installations, many of them minutes from the departure ports. Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego are approximately 25 minutes from Long Beach on I-5. Travis AFB near Fairfield is approximately 45 minutes from Oakland. This port proximity gives California military customers scheduling precision that East Coast bases simply cannot match.
🎖️ Military discounts may apply depending on route and availability. If you cannot drop off at a West Coast port yourself, our door-to-port service includes nationwide pickup at your base address. Call us to discuss both options and which makes sense for your PCS orders.
What we offer military families
Available to eligible service members PCS'ing from California installations to any Hawaii command.
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
SoCal bases served: Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, NAS North Island, MCAS Miramar, Naval Base Ventura County, Edwards AFB, Fort Irwin (San Bernardino), NAS Lemoore, Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey
NorCal bases served: Travis AFB (Fairfield), Beale AFB (Marysville), Coast Guard Base Alameda, Naval Support Activity Monterey
Hawaii commands served: Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, Kaneohe Bay MCAS, Tripler Army Medical Center, and others
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.
Why Car Shipping Hawaii vs. Other Brokers
California generates more Hawaii car shipping quotes than any other state, which means more brokers competing for your business. The two most common issues we see from California customers switching from other brokers: being quoted a price and then asked for more money after booking, and arriving at the port to find their vehicle is assigned to the wrong terminal or exceeds Oakland's clearance limit. We catch both at booking before you commit.
| 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 California to Hawaii?
Port-to-port ocean freight to Oahu starts at $1,580 - you drive to Long Beach or Oakland and pick up in Hawaii. Door-to-port from the Bay Area starts around $1,645 to $1,730. LA Metro and San Diego start around $1,655 to $1,780. Bakersfield runs $1,730 to $1,865. Sacramento runs $1,675 to $1,805 via Oakland. Far NorCal (Chico, Redding) is higher. Neighbor island destinations add $820 in ocean freight to each price. The $200 deposit (port-to-port) or $600 deposit (door-to-port) is applied toward your total, not added on top.
Which port do I use - Long Beach or Oakland?
SoCal customers (LA, OC, San Diego, IE, Bakersfield) use Long Beach - height 7 feet (84 inches), width 7 feet 2 inches (86 inches). NorCal customers (Bay Area, Sacramento, NorCal cities) use Oakland - height and width 76 inches (6 feet 4 inches) total, including all roof racks and mirrors extended. Fresno can go either way - call us. Do not arrive at the wrong port. Your vehicle will not be processed that day.
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 for California customers?
For many California customers, yes. Bay Area residents are typically under 30 minutes from Oakland. LA Metro and OC customers are 20 to 40 minutes from Long Beach. San Diego is about 25 minutes on I-5. Sacramento is about 90 minutes from Oakland. At $1,580 to Oahu with a $200 deposit, port-to-port from California is the cheapest Hawaii car shipping from anywhere in the country. Call us and we will help you decide if your situation makes it practical.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Hawaii?
Bay Area and LA Metro customers can see their car in Honolulu in as few as 13 to 14 days. Sacramento and San Diego add 1 to 2 overland days. Far NorCal (Chico, Redding) adds 2 to 3 days. Ocean transit from both ports to Honolulu is approximately 12 to 14 days. Neighbor islands add approximately 13 to 16 more ocean transit days, putting the total at 26 to 32 days from California pickup or drop-off.
Do I need any documents to ship my car to Hawaii from California?
No documents are required at Long Beach or Oakland when shipping a vehicle to Hawaii. Bring your government-issued photo ID and vehicle registration when picking up at the Hawaii terminal. Lienholder authorization is only required when shipping FROM Hawaii - not when shipping to Hawaii.
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 California to Hawaii?
No. We do not ship electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids on any route, including California to Hawaii. Standard non-plug-in hybrids are accepted.
Can I ship my car from Hawaii back to California?
Yes. See our dedicated page: Shipping a Car From Hawaii to California — full pricing, documents required, and transit times. Ocean freight from Honolulu runs $900 to $1,200 with a 12 to 14 day transit, plus delivery to your California address. When shipping FROM Hawaii, documents are required including your title, current Hawaii registration, and Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate. Same All-Inclusive pricing, same dedicated coordinator.Visit our Hawaii car shipping overview for all routes and services.
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 California to Hawaii with Confidence
One team. One All-Inclusive price. Port confirmed at booking, Oakland clearances checked before you commit, and the calendar coordinated so your car is in Hawaii when you need it.
Island-Owned & Operated
Matson Exclusive Specialist
USDOT 3505506
4.9/5 Google Rated
All-Inclusive Pricing
