Transporting Your Car from Hawaii to the Mainland

Between 2021 and 2022 alone, 67,257 people packed up all their belongings and moved to the mainland from Hawaii. And this is not a one-time thing but rather a trend. In any case, what about their cars?

As it turns out, you can ship your vehicle with the rest of your stuff. The best option is to get it shipped through maritime cargo. If you know the locations of all the Hawaiian ports, moving from Hawaii to the Mainland is pretty easy.

Hawaii Ports that Ship Cars to the Mainland

You can choose from any of these ports:

Honolulu

Honolulu on Oahu is the most popular shipping port for transporting cars to the mainland. The port handles no less than 11 million tons of cargo per year! Plus, there are several departures and arrivals. You can choose any time that works for you.

Hilo

This port sits on the Big Island of Hawaii but it is smaller, capacity-wise, than all the other shipping ports in Hawaii. But if this is the closest port, it will be more convenient for you to book your car from here.

Kahului

If you’re from the island of Maui, then the port of Kahului will be perfect for you. Regular cargo is leaving this island. You can find a plan that works for you.

Nawiliwili

If you’re from Kauai, then the port of Nawiliwili will be the best choice for you. Just make sure you book the shipping in advance as there are only limited slots available usually.

Brush Up on the Shipping Requirements

Once you have decided upon the shipping port, you must have all the necessary paperwork ready. When you’re handing over the car keys to the transport company, provide the following as well:

• Your shipping order confirmation number
• The booking number of the cargo vessel you’re using
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• A government-issued copy of your driver’s license
• Updated registration of your car

Of course, this is only a general list—consult your transporter about the specifics.

Prepare Your Car to Be Shipped

Your transporter can handle everything from A to Z, but if you want to save up, you can prepare the car yourself. Start by removing your personal items from the car and cleaning the interior. Fill up your car’s tank to a quarter. Also, keep a spare tire and car jack in the trunk.

Now that we have this out of the way, how long does the shipping process take? The average transport time for getting your car from Hawaii to the mainland is 2-4 weeks. But the duration depends on the type of shipping method you choose.
There are usually two options available:

• Roll-on and Roll-off Service

This is the most common and budget-friendly option. In this case, your car will be chained to the ship’s cargo during the transport.

• Container Shipping

If you’re worried about your car getting damaged, you can choose this more expensive but relatively safer method. In this case, your car will be assigned its own special container. It costs more, but it’s worth it (especially if you’re moving a luxury car).

Cost of Shipping Your Car from Hawaii

Let’s talk money now! The cost of shipping usually depends on the location of the entry and departure ports. The average cost of shipping ranges anywhere from $1500 to $3500. We have estimated for different routes that you can choose:

The cost of shipping is also affected by the time of the year. January, June, and July are the busiest months. Thus, the costs are high in these months. Plus, if you choose door-to-door delivery, you’ll have to pay extra.

In any case, taking your car from Hawaii to the mainland doesn’t have to be stressful. Plus, you can make things much simpler for you by working with the right shipping company. Well, at least now you can make an informed decision!