You can ship a car to Hawaii, but it always crosses the Pacific by ship, so the process works differently from a normal cross-country move. Your vehicle goes to a West Coast port (mainly Long Beach or Oakland), sails to the islands, and is delivered at the other end. The published starting price from the largest ocean carrier is $1,790 for the ocean leg alone, and door-to-door transit runs anywhere from about 9 to 45 days. Here is what drives that range, what the ports require, and how to avoid the mistakes that hold cars on the dock.
Ship a Car to Hawaii: Quick Answers
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| How does a car get to Hawaii? | By ocean vessel from a West Coast port. Cars from inland states are trucked to the port first. |
| What does it cost? | Matson’s published rate starts at $1,790 from the mainland to Hawaii (and $1,020 from Hawaii to the mainland). Your total depends on the port, vehicle size, and any truck leg to the port. |
| How long does it take? | Matson lists 9 to 45 days: 5 to 8 sailing days, 3 to 5 days of loading and unloading, and 14 to 32 days when the car continues to a neighbor island. |
| Can I ship an electric car? | Not with Matson right now. It has suspended used and new EVs and plug-in hybrids. |
| Can I leave things in the car? | No. Only a spare tire, jack, and up to two child seats are allowed on the Hawaii route. |
Carrier figures were checked on Matson’s website on October 6, 2026. Ocean rates and rules change, so treat them as planning numbers and confirm them when you book.
How Shipping a Car to Hawaii Actually Works
There is no road to Hawaii, so every vehicle moves as ocean cargo. The two main carriers are Matson and Pasha Hawaii, and both load cars at West Coast ports. Matson departs from Oakland and Long Beach. If you live in California, you can often drive the car to the port yourself. If you live in Texas, Ohio, or anywhere else inland, the car first needs a truck to reach the port, which is where open auto transport or enclosed transport comes in.
That inland leg is the part most Hawaii-bound shippers miss when they compare prices. A carrier’s $1,790 starting rate covers the ocean crossing, not the drive from your driveway to the dock. When you request a quote for a car in the Midwest or East Coast, you are pricing two moves: a truck to the port, then the ship. The truck leg works like any other open car shipment, and door-to-door pickup means the driver collects the car at your address instead of you delivering it to a terminal. Freedom Auto Transport handles Hawaii shipments with open and enclosed options and door-to-door service, and you can see the islands and cities it covers on the Hawaii car shipping page.
What It Costs to Ship a Car to Hawaii
Matson’s own page states that shipping a car from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii starts at $1,790, and shipping from Hawaii to the mainland starts at $1,020. The difference is real: the westbound crossing is more expensive than the trip back. Three things move your final number:
- Vehicle size. Oversized vehicles, boats, and RVs need separate quotes. Matson’s standard limit is 21’8″ long, 6’4″ wide, and 6’4″ tall.
- Where you start. A car already in Long Beach costs less to move than one in Chicago. The inland truck leg is priced like any other car shipping job, using the same cost factors of distance, vehicle size, and timing.
- Which island. Matson’s transit range includes an extra 14 to 32 days when a car continues to a neighbor island, so delivery to Maui, Hawaii Island, or Kauai takes longer than delivery to Honolulu. It also costs more: Matson’s rate sheet lists $2,600 from Long Beach or Oakland to Hilo, Kahului, or Nawiliwili.
Because the inland leg varies so much, a single national average would mislead you. The most reliable number is a quote for your exact origin and destination.
How Long Does It Take?
Matson’s published range is 9 to 45 days from the mainland to Hawaii. That range breaks down into 5 to 8 days at sea, 3 to 5 days of loading and unloading, and 14 to 32 days when the car has to reach a neighbor island. Add the time it takes to get an inland car to the port. Plan on several weeks, and if you are moving for a job or a military assignment, book earlier than feels necessary. For domestic timing on the mainland leg, see how long it takes to ship a car.
Port Rules That Trip People Up
Cars are turned away or delayed at the port for small, avoidable reasons. These are Matson’s stated rules for the Hawaii route:
- Low fuel. U.S. Coast Guard regulations require less than a quarter tank of gas.
- Nothing loose inside. No personal items are allowed, with exceptions for a spare tire, a jack, and two child car seats.
- Unlocked compartments. The Department of Agriculture inspects all vehicle compartments, so the trunk, glove box, and any other locked area must be accessible. Bring keys for the ignition, trunk, and gas tank.
- Booking number and ID. You need your booking number and a driver’s license at drop-off, and a third party must be pre-authorized to pick up a car for you.
- Electric vehicles. Matson has suspended acceptance of used and new EVs and plug-in hybrids. If you drive one, ask about options before you plan the move around it.
- Title and registration going the other way. Hawaii state law requires title and registration for vehicles shipped from Hawaii to the mainland, and a lienholder adds extra paperwork.
Our car shipping preparation checklist covers photos, maintenance, and paperwork that apply to any long haul. Take date-stamped photos of every side before the car leaves your hands, and keep a copy of the bill of lading from the truck carrier.
Insurance: Do Not Assume the Ship Covers Everything
Ocean carriers limit their liability. Matson states that it does not provide any form of insurance and that its liability is capped at the vehicle’s market value and no more than $1,000 per 40 cubic feet, which it puts at roughly $8,000 for an average vehicle. If your car is worth more than that, or you are shipping something you cannot easily replace, talk to your own auto insurer about coverage for the sea leg. Our guide to car shipping insurance explains how carrier coverage and your own policy fit together.
Should You Ship It at All?
Shipping makes sense when the car is worth more than the crossing costs, when you need a specific vehicle (a work truck, a car you love), or when the car is new enough that replacing and registering another one would cost more. It makes less sense for an older car worth about what the shipping bill costs, since selling it and buying locally may come out even or ahead. Run the numbers on both before you book. Active-duty families have their own timing and allowance rules, covered in our military car shipping guide.
Related guides: shipping a car to Alaska.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?
Matson’s published rate starts at $1,790 from the mainland to Hawaii for the ocean leg. If your car is not near a West Coast port, add the cost of trucking it there. Oversized vehicles and neighbor-island deliveries are priced separately.
How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?
Matson lists 9 to 45 days, including 5 to 8 sailing days, 3 to 5 days for loading and unloading, and 14 to 32 days when the car goes on to a neighbor island. Add the time to reach the port if your car starts inland.
Can you ship a car to Hawaii from anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Cars from inland states are trucked to a West Coast port such as Long Beach or Oakland and then shipped by sea. The mainland truck leg is a separate part of the total cost.
Can I ship an electric car to Hawaii?
Matson has suspended acceptance of used and new electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Check with your shipper for current options before you plan your move around an EV.
Can I pack my belongings in the car?
No. On the Hawaii route, personal items are not allowed in the vehicle, except a spare tire, a jack, and up to two child car seats. The fuel tank must also be under a quarter full.
Does the ocean carrier insure my car?
Not fully. Matson says it does not provide any form of insurance and limits its liability to the market value of the vehicle, with a cap of $1,000 per 40 cubic feet. Ask your own insurer about coverage for the ocean leg.
Have a question this didn’t cover? Check our full auto transport FAQ or call 888-509-1102.
Get a Quote for Your Move to Hawaii
Tell us where the car is and which island it is going to, and we will price the whole trip, including the mainland truck leg and the ocean crossing. Get a free estimate or call 888-509-1102.