Shipping a Car to Hawaii, Mainland Leg to Island Port

Licensed, insured transport to a West Coast port, with the ocean leg coordinated through established Hawaii carriers.

USDOT Licensed
MC Authorized
Fully Bonded & Insured
BBB Accredited A+
4.8 | 1107 reviews

A car cannot be driven to Hawaii, so every move has two parts: a truck from your home to a West Coast port, and a ship across the Pacific. ABC Auto Shipping books the mainland truck, gets your car to the right port on time for its sailing, and connects you with an ocean carrier for the crossing to Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo or Nawiliwili.

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How Car Shipping to and From Hawaii Works

Most Hawaii-bound vehicles leave from Southern California, the Bay Area or the Pacific Northwest. Our job is to collect your car anywhere in the lower 48 and deliver it to the departure port before the cut-off for your sailing. The ocean crossing itself usually takes around one to two weeks, depending on the port and the sailing schedule.

On the islands, cars are normally collected at the arrival port. Plan to pick yours up at the harbor in Honolulu, Kahului on Maui, Hilo on the Big Island, or Nawiliwili on Kauai. Shipping back to the mainland works the same way in reverse.

We are a licensed broker (USDOT #2340626, MC #797279) with an A+ BBB rating. Call 877-686-5611 to plan the timing around your move date.

Why CHoose US

Why Book Your Hawaii Car Shipment With Us

Shipping to Hawaii has more moving parts than a mainland move. Here is how we keep it simple:

Licensed and Insured

Federal broker authority and carrier insurance checked before your car is collected on the mainland.

One Price for the Mainland Leg

No deposit and no added fees for the truck to the port. We explain the ocean freight cost separately so you can see both parts.

Port Timing Handled

We schedule the truck around the sailing cut-off so your car does not miss its ship or sit at the port for days.

Paperwork Checklist

We send you the documents the ocean carrier asks for, including title or registration and, for financed cars, a letter from your lender.

Updates Across Both Legs

Your coordinator tells you when the car reaches the port and when it is due on the island.

Military Know-How

We help service members with second vehicles and mainland legs around PCS moves to Oahu.

Our Hawaii Auto Shipping Services

Hawaii Car Shipping Services

The services below cover the mainland part of your Hawaii move:

Open Transport to the Port

The standard, lowest-cost way to get a car from your home to the departure port.

Enclosed Transport to the Port

Covered trailers for classic, exotic and new cars on the road leg before they are loaded for the ocean crossing.

Door-to-Port Service

We collect from your mainland address and deliver to the port terminal, so you do not have to drive across several states to drop the car off.

Expedited Port Delivery

Short on time before a sailing? Expedited pickup gets your car moving first. Booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead gives the most options.

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Return Shipping to the Mainland

Leaving the islands? We meet your car at the West Coast arrival port and truck it to your new home anywhere in the lower 48.

Military Moves

If your orders cover one vehicle, we can ship a second, or handle the mainland leg for families moving to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks or Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

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Classic, Exotic and Motorcycle Shipping

Careful handling and enclosed trailers on the road, with the same paperwork support for the ocean leg.

Student Discounts

Reduced rates for students heading to the University of Hawaii and other island colleges, or coming home after graduation.

Area We Serve

Hawaii Ports and Communities We Serve

Cars ship to and from all four main islands. These are the communities our customers most often move to or from:

Honolulu, HI

Pearl City, HI

Hilo, HI

Kailua, HI

Waipahu, HI

Kaneohe, HI

Mililani Town, HI

Kahului, HI

Ewa Beach, HI

Kihei, HI

Mililani Mauka, HI

Kailua-Kona, HI

Halawa, HI

Ewa Gentry, HI

Waimalu, HI

Kapolei, HI

Schofield Barracks, HI

Wahiawa, HI

Lihue, HI

Wailuku, HI

We also have local car shipping guides for these Hawaii cities: Honolulu.

Moving somewhere else on the islands? Ask us which arrival port is closest.

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How It Works

How to Ship a Car to Hawaii in 4 Steps

Step 01

1. Get a Quote

Tell us your mainland pickup zip, the island you are moving to and your target date. We quote the truck leg and explain the ocean leg.

Step 02

2. Book and Prepare Documents

Confirm with no deposit. Gather your title or registration, ID and, if financed, a lender authorization letter.

Step 03

3. Pickup and Port Delivery

The driver inspects and loads your car and delivers it to the departure port before the cut-off.

Step 04

4. Island Collection

When the ship arrives, you collect the car at the island port after a final inspection.

Popular Routes

Common Hawaii Car Shipping Routes

These are the routes our Hawaii customers use most, via a West Coast port:

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California

Hawaii (Los Angeles or Long Beach to Honolulu)

Washington

Hawaii (Seattle to Honolulu, Tacoma to Honolulu)

Hawaii

California (Honolulu to Los Angeles, Honolulu to San Francisco)

Hawaii

Texas (Honolulu to Houston via LA port transfer)

Hawaii

Florida (Honolulu to Miami via West Coast port)

Hawaii

New York (Honolulu to NYC via West Coast port)

Oahu

neighbor islands (Honolulu to Maui, Hilo, Kauai)

Military routes (Pearl Harbor CONUS bases)

TRUST STRIP

Licensed, Insured, and Industry-Recognized

USDOT Licensed & MC Authorized

4.9★ on Google (338 reviews) · 4.7★ on Trustindex (540 reviews)

BBB Accredited Business, A+ rating

FMCSA Registered Broker · USDOT #2340626 · MC #797279

20+ years of industry experience · Thousands of vehicles shipped nationwide

No deposit required to book · Pay once your carrier is secured

Reviews

What Our Clients Say

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Hawaii Car Shipping FAQs

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

Allow a few days for the truck to reach the West Coast port, then around one to two weeks for the ocean crossing, depending on the port and sailing.

Which ports do cars ship from and to?

On the mainland, cars commonly leave from Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego or the Seattle and Tacoma area. They arrive at Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo or Nawiliwili.

Do you help with military moves to Hawaii?

Yes. We help with second vehicles and the mainland leg for families moving to Oahu bases. Tell us your report date.

Can I ship to Maui, the Big Island or Kauai?

Yes. Ocean carriers serve all four main islands, and some offer inter-island moves from Honolulu.

Can I ship a car that does not run?

Usually, but ocean carriers have stricter rules for inoperable vehicles. Ask us first so we can confirm before you book.

How should I prepare my car for Hawaii?

Most carriers require a quarter tank of fuel or less, an empty cabin and trunk, and a clean car. Remove alarms or disarm them, and bring your keys and documents.

What do I need to do after the car arrives?

Plan to get a Hawaii safety inspection and register the car with your county. Registration is due within 30 days of arrival.

Is my car insured?

The truck carrier’s cargo insurance covers the mainland leg. The ocean carrier’s terms cover the sea crossing; we explain both before you book.

Ready to Ship Your Car to or From Hawaii?

Get a free quote for the mainland leg online or call 877-686-5611 to plan your sailing. No deposit to book.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Shipping Details Step 1 of 3

Ship From *

Ship To *

Ship Date

Truck availability is on 1st come 1st serve basis. From the 1st available date, we give 4-5 days of window (minimum 3-4 days) & narrow it down to 1-2 days once a carrier is secured.

Vehicle Details Step 2 of 3