Hawaii Auto Transport – Costs, Companies & Shipping Times [2026]

Hawaii auto transport is a large industry with many players. Shipping a vehicle to the island region involves an extra step compared to transporting within the mainland U.S. – your car travels part of the way by sea – but the process is straightforward as long as you use a reliable, experienced carrier.

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Every year, people looking to visit, relocate, or sell cars in Hawaii ship hundreds of vehicles to the island.

While it is relatively straightforward to ship cars to and from there, you still need to figure out how Hawaii auto transport works, the cost of vehicle shipping, and how to ship a car to Hawaii. This article contains all of these and more, including how to get accurate Hawaii auto transport quotes.

Shipping a car to and from Hawaii at a glance

How does Hawaii auto transport work?

How much does Hawaii vehicle shipping cost?

Top 10 Hawaii Auto Transport companies

What documents do you need when shipping to Hawaii?

FAQ

Shipping A Car To And From Hawaii
At A Glance

Shipping A Vehicle To And From Hawaii
At A Glance

The process of using a Hawaii car transport service to ship cars from the Mainland to Hawaii is a little different from shipping from Hawaii to the Mainland. For starters, the first steps on how to ship a car to Hawaii involves contacting Hawaii car transport companies and arranging pickup.

The company will pick up your car and load it onto a trailer and have it transported to any of the different ports on the West Coast. It could land in locations like Oakland or Long Beach in California, or Tacoma or Seattle in Washington.

Your car gets transferred onto a boat and moved across the Pacific Ocean and shipping clients can have it shipped to any port of their choice. But if you want to ship a car from Hawaii, the process is a little different and reversed.

Shipping a car to Hawaii and its islands, like Maui or Kauai, is carried out through door-to-door or port-to-port shipping services. This is especially helpful for people who can’t drive their vehicle to a port themselves, although they can always appoint a representative aged 18 or older.

Most times Hawaii car transport companies take between 14 to 19 days to ship to Hawaii, Honolulu from New York City, 8 to 12 days to ship from LA to Hawaii, and 14 to 19 days to ship from Chicago.

How Does Hawaii Auto Transport Work?

Transit times, pickup details, and Hawaii auto transport costs are factors that set Hawaii auto transport from other US states. Hawaii auto transport costs slightly more than regular car shipping as clients pay around $1,000 more. The reason for this extra cost is because when you’re shipping a car to Hawaii, you’re paying for two services: overseas shipping and road transport to some West Coast port.

Your car needs to be thoroughly cleaned before shipping. It also has to be in good driving condition because most Hawaii car transport services offer port-to-port or door-to-door services. Always perform standard maintenance checks on your car before you ship it.

Make sure the battery has a full charge, check fluid levels, tire pressure, and fluid leaks. Cars with fluid leaks might be stopped from getting shipped. On how to ship a car to Hawaii, the shipping process may differ from Hawaii car transport company to Hawaii car transport company.

However, most companies will follow a process and steps similar to the ones below:

Request Hawaii Auto Transport Quotes
The first step in knowing how to ship a car to Hawaii is in requesting Hawaii auto transport quotes from companies online. Most Hawaii car transport offers instant quotes when you type in your vehicle details and shipment details on their sites so you need to reach out to a shipping broker to get their Hawaii auto transport cost.

Book A Carrier Or Hawaii Car Transport Service
The next step after getting Hawaii auto transport quotes is to book a carrier. Shipping brokers and quotes-comparing projects can help you with a good list of quotes and carrier options. Compare costs and shipping details to choose a carrier.

Clean Your Car
Your car needs to be in a drivable condition and it should be clean from the inside out. Clear personal effects and extra load from inside and make sure you leave no more than one-quarter of gas. You can also disconnect your battery if need be.

Drop Your Vehicle Off
If you have the time, you can bring your car to the designated pickup location to drop it off. This location could be a shipping terminal, a port, or your home, depending on the shipping service you chose when booking shipment.

Pick Your Vehicle
Finally, you can go pick up your car from a designated delivery location or port when it arrives in Hawaii. Reach out to your transport broker to help you track your delivery status and follow appropriate instructions and documents.

How Much Does Hawaii Vehicle Shipping Cost

The average range of Hawaii auto transport is between $1,400 and as much as $2,400. Besides, the cost of shipping to Hawaii is expectantly more expensive compared to shipping within Continental U.S. Distance, available shipping options, fuel costs are some factors that affect shipping cost. Here are some factors that influence this price for shipping companies:

factors affecting Hawaii auto transport rates

How soon clients need the car to arrive: Typically it will take between 8 to 19 days to ship from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii. If you want it sooner than the 19th day, you may have to pay more.

The size and type of car: The size of the car you are shipping also affects your shipping cost. The larger the car you are shipping, the higher you pay. Cars like SUVs and large trucks will cost more to ship.

The location the client is shipping the car to: In this case, you’re shipping to Hawaii so the amount the carrier charges for that location will come into play.

The location the client is shipping the car from: Whatever location you are shipping from also makes a huge difference. What’s more, people who use port-to-port shipping will spend less than those who ship their cars to the port and then to Hawaii.

Ground shipping option/choice of sea transport: Enclosed carriers cost more than open carriers, and sea transport method (roll-on/roll-off vs. cargo container) also affects price.

Top 10 Hawaii Auto Transport Companies

There are so many options when it comes to shipping a car to Hawaii from the mainland and the prices may differ. Here are the top 10 Hawaii auto transport companies to consider:

#1. Get Carrier

Delaware-based GetCarrier is a great choice if you need a Hawaii car transport shipping broker. The company has been in operation for about three years but in this short period, they’ve gathered lots of positive customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

GetCarrier relies on a streamlined approach that offers a user-friendly and easy experience. Their website is easy to use and you can get car shipping quotes online in a simple process.

best enclosed auto transport companies based on car shipping reviews, corsia logistics

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#2. MoverJet Logistics

MoverJet is a five-star car transport shipping company you need to consider when shipping to and from Hawaii. Clients can book their shipment even without prepayment and they can access top-tier support and some stress-free service.

enclosed car shipping best service Hawaii Auto Transport – Costs, Companies & Shipping Times [2026] 8

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#3. TrueCarrier

Florida-based TrueCarrier is a reputable Hawaii car shipping service with lots of services. TrueCarrier assists clients with shipping provider services like expedited transport, door-to-door shipping, boat shipping, shipping to all 50 states, alternative car shipping open, and enclosed transport.

enclosed car shipping service, sherpa auto transport

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#4. Montway

Montway was founded in 2007 and has grown to become a solid choice for people looking for how to ship a car to Hawaii. They offer enclosed, open, and expedited shipping. Montway also has nationwide coverage and an extensive carrier network with an average cost of $588 to $930.

top enclosed auto shipping Hawaii Auto Transport – Costs, Companies & Shipping Times [2026] 13

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#5. eShip

eShip, founded in 2012, is another Hawaii car transport service to have on your list. The company offers expedited and enclosed shipping options for transporting RVs, motorcycles, and even boats at an average cost of about $750. eShip also provides vehicle tracking and personal agents for clients and they do not need to pay upfront deposit.

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#6. Auto Shipping Group Honolulu

Auto Shipping Group Honolulu is a Hawaii-based car shipping company. It is the parent company for several auto brokerages and offers many services and features to customers including door-to-door delivery and open and enclosed carrier options. With ASGH, clients can transport domestic and exotic cars, motorcycles, and even military equipment.

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A1 AutoTransport shipping to and from Hawaii

#7. A-1 Auto Transport

A-1 Auto Transport founded in 1992, is a cross-country shipping service that also extends to the Hawaiian Islands. They deal in international and domestic transportation services for heavy equipment, cars, and motorcycles. The Hawaii Auto transport cost of A-1 Autos ranges from $1,097 to $1,477 for a standard-sized vehicle. Open carriers and several other services are also available.

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#8. Pasha Hawaii

With Pasha Hawaii, you can transport cars, oversized vehicles, and boats safely without having to worry about sustainability. Pasha Hawaii utilizes fully enclosed RORO vessels that come with ventilated decks. The company also offers customers cargo tracking features on its website.

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#9. Hawaii Auto Transportation

Hawaii Auto Transportation follows a unique approach to car shipping services, allowing customers to pack personal belongings with several services and shipping features available. They provide container shipping, RORO shipping, crate shipping, and oversized vehicle shipping. Their container car shipping service is open to trucks, RVs, sedans, and SUVs.

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Coastal Auto Shipping - Shipping cars to hawaii

#10. Coastal Auto Shipping

Coastal Auto Shipping is the last but not the least name on our list of car shipping companies. They ship cars nationwide and internationally, shipping to and from locations like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. Coast Auto Shipping offers enclosed or open carriers, has Spanish-speaking staff, and insurance available for cars using either carrier option.

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What Documents Do You Need
When Shipping to Hawaii?

When you ship a car from Hawaii to the mainland, there are some documents and clearances that you need to have.

Below are some of these shipping documents:

What Documents Do You Need When Transporting a Car to Hawaii?

Bill of sale, proof of ownership, title.

A valid license and an updated registration for your car.

Bill of lading

Authorization from the lien holder to allow you to ship a leased vehicle.

Certificate of safety inspection.

Information is linked to whoever will be picking up the car.

These documents above are the clearances you need when shipping from Hawaii. However, if you’re shipping a car to Hawaii, here are the paperwork and documentation you need:

Current and updated vehicle registration.

Current title.

Notarized letter of authorization from non-present parties listed on the Title. This non-present party could be a spouse or the lien holder.

Before shipping a car from Hawaii, it’s important to understand how the process works and how to prepare your vehicle. While Hawaii auto transport is similar to other territory shipments like Puerto Rico auto transport or Guam auto transport, each has its own specific rules and timelines.

Ready to get moving? Get an instant, no-obligation estimate with our auto transport calculator, or explore our car shipping services to see how Compare The Carrier connects you with vetted carriers and helps you save on your Hawaii shipment.

FAQ

Is it worth shipping a car to Hawaii?

PIt depends on the options available to you and factors influencing your stay. Most times people are faced with a scenario that makes buying a car in Hawaii preferable. However, you’re not going to buy a car each time you need to be in Hawaii so we recommend you consider shipping a car to Hawaii instead of buying a new one.

How expensive is it to ship a car to Hawaii?

For starters, Hawaii auto transport cost of shipping vehicles from the U.S. Mainland begins at $1,497. If you want to ship the car to the U.S. Mainland from Hawaii, you will need to have around $870.

What can I put in my car when I ship it?

Most car transport companies allow customers to 50lb maximum of extra items in their vehicle because of weight purposes. For this reason, you can transport boxes in your car as you ship them to some locations. Carriers usually request for the boxes to be tapped and sealed in the car’s trunk for the safety of the item.

Can I ship my car with stuff in it to Hawaii?

No, most Hawaii car transport companies won’t allow you to ship your car with stuff in it. They will likely require you to get rid of personal belongings before they pick up your car so they keep up with weight regulations.

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

Transit time depends on your origin port. Shipping from LA typically takes 8 to 12 days, while shipping from New York City or Chicago can take 14 to 19 days.

Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery in Hawaii?

Yes, either you or a designated representative aged 18 or older must be present at both pickup and delivery to hand over the keys and review the vehicle’s condition.

Is it cheaper to ship port-to-port or door-to-door to Hawaii?

Port-to-port shipping is generally cheaper since it doesn’t include the added cost of inland delivery to your exact address, but it requires you to pick up and drop off the vehicle yourself at the terminal.

Can I ship an inoperable car to Hawaii?

Most carriers require the vehicle to be in drivable condition for standard port-to-port or door-to-door service. If your car doesn’t run, contact your carrier directly to confirm whether specialized equipment is available and what it costs.

Written by

Ryan Foster

Senior Auto Transport & Logistics Specialist

12+ Years Experience

Ryan leverages 12+ years of experience to simplify complex vehicle logistics. From interstate hauls to specialized shipping, he provides transparent, actionable advice to help customers navigate the transport process with confidence.