How to Ship a Car to Hawaii: Cost, Timeline, and What to Know
Key takeaway
Shipping a car to Hawaii costs $1,000–$1,500 from the West Coast (more from inland/East Coast). The two methods are container shipping ($1,200–$2,000) and Roll-On/Roll-Off ($1,000–$1,500). Only two companies operate this route: Matson and Pasha. Plan for 7–14 days transit and a mandatory agricultural inspection at arrival.
Hawaii car shipping is different from mainland shipping
Shipping a car to Hawaii is fundamentally different from shipping between mainland states. On the mainland, your car goes on a truck. To Hawaii, it goes on an ocean vessel — either in a shipping container or driven onto a cargo ship.
This means different companies, different logistics, and different costs. The multi-car carrier trucks you see on highways don't drive onto boats. Hawaii car shipping is handled by ocean freight companies, and there are really only two that matter: Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii.
Everything about the process — booking, drop-off, transit, pickup — follows ocean shipping logistics rather than trucking logistics. If you've shipped a car between mainland states before, set those expectations aside.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where you're shipping from and which method you choose:
From the West Coast (most common):
- Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO): $1,000–$1,500
- Container shipping: $1,200–$2,000
From the East Coast or Midwest:
You'll need two legs: a mainland auto transport truck to a West Coast port (add $800–$1,500 depending on distance), then the ocean shipment. Total from New York to Honolulu: $2,000–$3,200.
Port cities and costs:
- Oakland/San Francisco to Honolulu: $1,000–$1,400 (RORO), most popular route
- Long Beach/LA to Honolulu: $1,100–$1,500 (RORO)
- Seattle/Tacoma to Honolulu: $1,100–$1,500 (RORO)
Vehicle size matters. Compact and sedan rates are at the low end. Full-size trucks, SUVs, and especially lifted/oversized vehicles cost more — sometimes significantly more for container shipping because they need a larger container.
Returning to the mainland generally costs the same or slightly less. The Hawaii-to-mainland route has lower demand, so you may get better rates, especially outside peak moving season.
Additional cost factors people forget:
- Port storage fees: If you don't pick up your vehicle within the free storage window (typically 3–5 business days after arrival), storage fees start at $15–$30/day. These add up fast if you're not on the island yet.
- Agricultural cleaning fee: If your car fails the agricultural inspection at the port, you'll pay $50–$200 for professional cleaning before the vehicle is released. Washing the undercarriage thoroughly before drop-off avoids this.
- Mainland truck transport (if not on the West Coast): Getting your car to a West Coast port from inland or East Coast locations adds $800–$1,500. A full example: shipping from Dallas to Honolulu totals roughly $1,800–$2,800 ($800–$1,300 for the truck from Dallas to Long Beach, plus $1,000–$1,500 for the ocean leg).
- Hawaii vehicle registration: Once your car arrives, you'll need to register it in Hawaii within 30 days. Registration costs include a weight tax ($0.0175–$0.0325 per pound, depending on the county), a registration fee ($45), and a state inspection fee ($20–$50). For a 3,500 lb sedan, expect $100–$170 total.
Container vs. Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO)
RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off): Your car is driven onto the cargo ship and parked in the vehicle deck. It's the simpler, cheaper option and what most people use.
Pros: Cheaper ($1,000–$1,500), simpler logistics, faster processing at port.
Cons: Vehicle is not individually enclosed — it sits with other vehicles on the ship's deck. Minor salt exposure is possible but rare. You cannot ship personal items inside the vehicle with RORO.
Container shipping: Your vehicle is loaded into a 20-foot or 40-foot steel shipping container, which is then loaded onto the cargo ship.
Pros: Vehicle is fully enclosed and protected. You CAN ship personal belongings inside the container alongside the vehicle (up to the container's weight limit). Better for high-value or classic vehicles.
Cons: More expensive ($1,200–$2,000+), more complex logistics (container loading/unloading), potentially longer processing at port.
Which to choose: RORO for everyday vehicles. Container for luxury/classic cars, or if you want to ship household items alongside the vehicle (common for people relocating to Hawaii).
The shipping process step by step
1. Book with Matson or Pasha (or their authorized agents). These are the only two companies with regular Hawaii vehicle shipping service. You can book directly or through a freight broker. Get quotes from both — prices vary by route and season.
2. Prepare your vehicle:
- Wash it (for inspection documentation)
- Remove personal items (RORO requires empty vehicles)
- Leave no more than 1/4 tank of gas
- Ensure the battery is charged and the car starts
- Disable aftermarket alarms
- Note and photograph any existing damage
- Remove or secure loose parts (spoilers, antennas, roof racks)
3. Drop off at the designated port. You drive your vehicle to the shipping company's port facility. In Oakland, this is the Matson terminal; in Long Beach, the Pasha terminal. You'll need your booking confirmation, vehicle registration, a government-issued ID, and keys.
4. Port processing and agricultural inspection. Hawaii has strict agricultural laws to prevent invasive species. Your vehicle will be inspected — the undercarriage must be free of soil, seeds, and plant material. If your car fails the agricultural inspection, it will be cleaned at your expense ($50–$200) before shipping. Washing the undercarriage before drop-off saves time and money.
5. Transit. Ocean transit from the West Coast to Honolulu takes 5–7 days. From Oakland, Matson's vessels typically take 5 days. From Seattle, 6–7 days. Add 1–3 days for port processing on each end, so total door-to-door is 7–14 days.
6. Pick up in Hawaii. You'll be notified when the vessel arrives and your vehicle clears customs/agriculture. Pick up from the destination port (typically Honolulu's Sand Island or Kahului for Maui). Bring your ID, booking receipt, and vehicle registration. Inspect the vehicle against your pre-shipment photos.
Hawaii-specific things to know
Safety inspection required. Hawaii requires a state safety inspection before you can register an out-of-state vehicle. Budget $20–$50 for the inspection and schedule it soon after your car arrives.
Hawaii vehicle registration. You'll need to register your vehicle in Hawaii within 30 days of establishing residency. Required: mainland title, current registration, proof of insurance, safety inspection certificate, and the Hawaii vehicle weight tax (varies by vehicle weight).
Rust and salt air. Hawaii's salt air accelerates rust, especially on vehicles from dry or cold climates. Consider undercoating your vehicle after arrival if you plan to keep it long-term. This is especially important for trucks and SUVs with exposed undercarriages.
Shipping between islands. Matson and Young Brothers operate inter-island vehicle barges. Shipping between Oahu and Maui, Big Island, or Kauai costs $300–$600. The process is similar but simpler — no agricultural inspection needed for inter-island moves.
Military PCS to Hawaii. Active-duty military on PCS orders to Hawaii get one POV shipped free through the Vehicle Processing Center. The VPC in San Diego and Seattle handle most Hawaii-bound military vehicles. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. See our military PCS shipping guide for the full process.
Inter-island shipping
Once your car is in Hawaii, you may need to move it between islands — whether you're relocating from Oahu to Maui, buying a vehicle on the Big Island while living on Kauai, or just island-hopping for an extended stay.
Who handles inter-island vehicle shipping? Young Brothers is the primary inter-island cargo carrier. They operate barge service between all major Hawaiian islands. Matson also offers some inter-island routes, but Young Brothers is the go-to for most vehicle shipments.
Inter-island shipping costs:
| Route | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Oahu to Maui | $350–$500 |
| Oahu to Big Island (Hilo or Kona) | $400–$550 |
| Oahu to Kauai | $350–$500 |
| Maui to Big Island | $400–$600 |
| Any island to Molokai or Lanai | $350–$550 |
How inter-island shipping works:
- Book through Young Brothers (youngbrothers.com) or an authorized agent
- Drop off your vehicle at the port on your departure island — Oahu uses Honolulu Harbor, Maui uses Kahului Harbor
- Transit takes 1–3 days depending on the route and barge schedule (barges don't run daily to every island)
- Pick up at the destination island's port
- No agricultural inspection is required for inter-island moves — the invasive species concern is about bringing things into Hawaii, not moving between islands
Timing note: Young Brothers barges run on fixed schedules, typically 2–4 departures per week on popular routes (Oahu to Maui, Oahu to Big Island). Less-trafficked routes (to Molokai or Lanai) may only have 1–2 departures per week. Book at least a week in advance, and confirm the barge schedule for your specific route — it's not daily service like a ferry.
Alternative: drive on the ferry (Maui to Lanai only). Expeditions Ferry operates between Lahaina (Maui) and Manele Bay (Lanai), but it's passenger-only — no vehicles. For all other inter-island vehicle transport, you need a barge.
Bringing a car FROM Hawaii to the mainland
Shipping a car from Hawaii back to the mainland follows the same process in reverse, but there are a few differences worth knowing:
Cost is the same or slightly lower. The Hawaii-to-mainland route typically has lower demand than mainland-to-Hawaii, so rates are sometimes 5–10% less. From Honolulu to Oakland, expect $950–$1,400 for RORO and $1,100–$1,800 for container.
Agricultural inspection at departure. Just like arriving vehicles, departing vehicles must pass a USDA agricultural inspection. The concern is preventing Hawaii-specific pests (like the coqui frog or certain beetles) from reaching the mainland. Make sure your car is clean — especially the undercarriage, wheel wells, and trunk.
Rust inspection for mainland mechanics. If your car has been in Hawaii for several years, have a mainland mechanic inspect for salt-air corrosion after arrival. Brake lines, suspension components, exhaust systems, and electrical connectors are the most vulnerable. Some vehicles that look fine cosmetically have serious rust underneath after years of island salt exposure. This is especially true for trucks and SUVs with more exposed undercarriage.
Timing your departure shipment. If you're leaving Hawaii for a mainland job or military PCS, start the shipping process 3–4 weeks before your departure date. Ocean transit takes 5–7 days, but port processing, barge scheduling, and mainland delivery can stretch the total to 2–3 weeks. You don't want to arrive at your new location without a car because you started shipping too late.
Selling vs. shipping — the math. If your car has been in Hawaii for 3+ years and has significant salt corrosion, calculate whether shipping it is worth the cost. A car worth $8,000 that needs $1,200 to ship plus $1,500 in rust repair at the destination effectively costs $2,700 to bring home. If a comparable mainland vehicle costs $9,000, shipping makes sense. If comparable mainland vehicles are $7,000, you might be better off selling in Hawaii (where used-car prices are high due to limited supply) and buying fresh on the mainland.
Frequently asked questions
▶How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?
From the West Coast: $1,000–$1,500 for RORO, $1,200–$2,000 for container. From the East Coast or Midwest, add $800–$1,500 for the mainland truck leg. Total from New York to Honolulu: $2,000–$3,200.
▶How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?
Ocean transit from the West Coast takes 5–7 days. Add 1–3 days for port processing on each end. Total door-to-door from a West Coast city is 7–14 days. From the East Coast, add 5–8 days for the mainland truck transport.
▶Can I ship personal items in my car to Hawaii?
Not with RORO — the vehicle must be empty. With container shipping, you can pack items inside the container alongside the vehicle (up to the container's weight limit). This is one of the main reasons people choose container shipping despite the higher cost.
▶Who ships cars to Hawaii?
Matson Navigation and Pasha Hawaii are the only two companies with regular vehicle shipping service between the mainland and Hawaii. You can book directly or through authorized freight brokers.
▶Do I need to wash my car before shipping to Hawaii?
Yes — Hawaii requires an agricultural inspection to prevent invasive species. Your vehicle's undercarriage must be free of soil, seeds, and plant material. If it fails, you'll pay $50–$200 for cleaning at the port. Washing beforehand saves time and money.
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