What Is the Easiest and Cheapest Way to Ship a Car from Hawaii to the Mainland?

This service means you will drop your car yourself at the port. Then, you will also pick the car yourself to your chosen port on the mainland. This method can be the cheapest way to ship car to Hawaii if you live near a carrier port. 

That is because there is no reason for you to have your car picked up or delivered to your door. After all, door-to-door delivery is more costly. 

You can check with your car transport company for the specific dimensions of your car. In addition, you can ask them if it is qualified for the most affordable shipping standard rate.



However, if the dimensions of your car exceed the given specifications, you will need to pay more. Moreover, regardless of the size, classic or luxurious cars are more expensive to be shipped. 

In addition, if you have a used or old car, it might be better and less costly not to ship it because the shipping expenses can be more expensive than the car’s value. In this case, used car dealership platforms online can help if you decide to sell your car. 

Moreover, when shipping car to Hawaii, it’s best to remember that pick-up trucks are more desirable in Hawaii. That is because they are twice as expensive there compared to the mainland. 

Aside from these, you can also check for discounts and deals offered by your car shipping company. For instance, some car shipping companies offer discounts for active members of the military and college students. 



Therefore, it is highly recommended to inquire about special offers and deals and enjoy lower car shipping costs. 

Alternatively, you can also opt for this car shipping service if your car is functioning since it needs to be driven in an open trailer. 



Using roll on and roll off or RoRo for your car shipping can be more affordable because there is no need to use special equipment such as cranes to load the car on and off the ship.

Aside from RoRos, you can also opt for open carriers since they are more affordable than closed carriers. Aside from this, they are also the cheapest freight to Hawaii. 



However, this shipping method isn’t recommended if you have a luxury car since it will be exposed to external elements such as rain and wind.

Overall, many businesses are slow in winter and peak during summer. So, scheduling your car shipment in the summer is more costly. Similarly, more car shipping companies such as Car Shipping Hawaii offer better rates in winter.



With that said, if possible, it will be better to ship your car during off-peak months to get the best deals and find the cheapest way to ship car more easily. 

Lastly, you can find the cheapest car shipping by asking for quotes from different car shipping companies. This will help you compare the prices and see which one offers the best deal for your needs.



However, it would be best if you were careful of companies offering very low quotes since there might be hidden charges, or worse, they can be scammers. With that said, it is advisable to avoid companies that offer quotes less than $1,000. 

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Aside from your car keys and the remote if your car has an alarm, here are some of the documents you need when you drop your car off:

Order confirmation or booking number

• The car’s title (if you own the car)
• The power of attorney letter (if your car is financed or leased)
• A government-issued ID with your photo (if you own the vehicle)
• Current registration of the car

Other Reminders:

• If you will not drop off the car yourself, the one who does will need to show the shipping company the power of attorney letter they received from you. You have to keep this in mind since you will ship your car to the mainland. 
• If your car is leased or financed, the power of attorney letter should also have an official letterhead. With that said, it would be best if you had it notarized 30 days before the scheduled shipment. 
• Additionally, the one who will have the car shipped should be listed as the car’s owner in the car’s title. 
• However, if two people co-own the car, both of their names should be on the car’s title. Therefore, they should also both submit a government-issued ID with a photo. In addition, a notarized letter of consent should be presented if one of the owners cannot submit these requirements. 
  

• Make sure not more than ¼ of your car’s tank is filled. This is because the US Coast Guard categorizes gasoline as hazardous. 
• So, because all the cars are shipped through the ocean, car shipping companies require owners not to have their car’s tanks filled up more than ¼ of the capacity on the day it will be picked up or dropped off. This is done to ensure safety.
• Clean the inside and outside of your car thoroughly. This will make the inspection of your car more manageable and more accurate when it is loaded and unloaded. 
• Remove all your personal belongings except if you have infant seats installed. You can also leave floor mats, jumper cables, a spare tire, and a jack if repairs are needed. 
• Remove all the components, decorations, and accessories such as speakers, GPS units, detachable stereos, luggage racks, and bike racks. 
• Check if your car is in excellent or operational condition. You need to inspect if the brakes are fully operational, the windows are intact, and no fluids are leaking, among many others. 
• Inform your car shipping service provider if your car is not running or inoperable. Arrangements are needed since they will decide to ship your car or not. Additional charges might also be required, so you need to give them a heads up. 
• Disable your car’s alarm or give the alarm remote to your car shipper when you drop your car off at the port.
  

• Hilo, Hawaii (Big Island)
• Kahului, Maui
• Nawiliwili, Kauai
• Kawaihae, Hawaii (Big Island)
• Honolulu, Oahu
  

Most of the cars shipped from Hawaii to the mainland go to the West Coast US port:

• Long Beach, California
• Kodiak and Anchorage, Alaska
• Tacoma, Washington
• Oakland, California
  

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Finally, you have a better understanding of making car shipping from Hawaii to the mainland more affordable. Overall, the process is more or less similar to shipping car from Hawaii to Mainland. 



Of course, aside from finding the cheapest way to ship your car, it is vital to consider the other preparations to make the process smooth, such as having all the documents needed for shipment on hand.