Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
If you’re moving to Hawaii, you might want to take your wheels with you to enjoy all the islands have to offer. Auto shipping from California to Hawaii can seem complicated at first, but it’s really a straightforward process that thousands of people go through each year. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shipping a car from California to Hawaii.
We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies to help you find trustworthy companies and fair rates. Three of our top picks offer shipping to Hawaii: Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight and uShip. Click above to start the quotes process and compare rates from these top providers.
California to Hawaii Shipping
Car shipping from California to Hawaii involves an ocean journey, and it can also include a shipment across the land if your car needs to travel to a port city in California. In other words, it takes some time. Here’s what to expect.
| Distance | 2,500 miles |
| Estimated Shipping Time | 8 to 20 days |
| Average Cost | $1,840 |
What to Expect When Shipping a Car from California
California is the most populous state in the country by far. As of 2019, the state was home to over 39 million people. Most residents live near the giant metro areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but many people also live in rural areas famous for their natural beauty.
The state’s mild to warm climate makes auto shipping from California straightforward for carriers. However, there are a couple of things to be aware of. Traffic in Los Angeles and the Bay Area can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be flexible when meeting up with your car shipper. Also, wildfire season stretches from springtime to fall, and that can further complicate auto shipping routes and times. Plan your shipment in advance so you can make adjustments as necessary.
What to Expect When Shipping a Car to Hawaii
Auto shipping to Hawaii is different from auto shipping to any other state in the country, for obvious reasons. Since the state is made up of islands in the Pacific, most carriers offer door-to-port service. That means the carrier picks up your vehicle from your address in California and drops it off at a shipping port in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
You can have your car sent by barge from Honolulu to other ports like Hilo on the Big Island and Kahului on Maui. But nearly all incoming auto shipments go through Honolulu first, so sending your car to another island will add to the cost. Some shippers also offer port-to-port service directly from a city in California like Los Angeles. In this scenario, you can drop your car off at the port in California and can save some money.
Cost of Shipping from California to Hawaii
Below are a few sample costs for auto shipping from California to Hawaii. These come from Montway Auto Transport, our top pick for car shipping companies. You can learn more about the provider in our Montway Auto Transport review.
The prices below reflect shipping a 2020 Honda Accord with open transport when on land. If you need an enclosed carrier for the road, or if you’re shipping a truck or SUV, you’ll pay more. Car shipping costs also depend on factors like time of year, price of fuel and vehicle operability.
| City in California | Port City in Hawaii | Type of Service | Cost to Ship from California to Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redding | Honolulu | Door to Port | $2,019 |
| San Francisco | Honolulu | Door to Port | $2,019 |
| Los Angeles | Honolulu | Port to Port | $1,399 |
| Los Angeles | Honolulu | Door to Port | $1,619 |
| San Diego | Honolulu | Door to Port | $1,709 |
| San Diego | Hilo | Door to Port | $2,059 |
| San Diego | Kahului | Door to Port | $2,059 |
As you can see, if you’re looking for cheap car shipping, the best way to transport your car from California to Hawaii is to choose a port-to-port option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Transport
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Hawaii?
On average, it costs about $1,840 to ship a standard size car from California to Hawaii. This price can vary depending on the origin and destination cities in each state and on the type of vehicle you need to ship.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Hawaii?
According to Montway Auto Transport, it takes between eight and 12 days to ship a car directly from Los Angeles to Honolulu. But it can take up to 10 additional days to send a car from a city further inland in California to a different island in Hawaii.
Can I ship my car to Hawaii with stuff in it?
No, you can’t send your car to Hawaii full of your belongings. Most carriers require your vehicle to be empty before it can be sent across the sea. This helps avoid liability issues if things get damaged during transit and keeps the total weight down.
How much does it cost to ship my car to Hawaii?
Shipping a car to Hawaii can cost between $1,400 and $3,000 depending on the origin. For example, a shipment from New York to Hawaii involves a 2,700-mile trip across the land and then a 2,500-mile trip across the ocean, which makes it expensive.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car shipping provider to formulate rankings of the best auto transport companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account pricing, services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend car shipping companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best service.
