Shipping a Car to Hawaii or Alaska: Costs, Timelines and Rules

Hawaii: Ocean freight is the only option. Most cars sail from West Coast ports such as Long Beach, Oakland or the Seattle–Tacoma area to Honolulu, with barge service on to Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. From California, ShipMyCar US pricing typically runs about $1,200–$2,200, and the full door-to-port timeline is usually 14–21 days.

Alaska: You can ship by ocean from the Tacoma area to Anchorage, use the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham, Washington, or drive the Alaska Highway through Canada. From the West Coast, ocean shipping typically runs $1,800–$2,500 or more, with a total timeline of about 14–21 days.

For route details, see California to Hawaii, Hawaii car shipping and Alaska car shipping.

The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 55102) requires cargo moving between U.S. ports to travel on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, U.S.-flagged and mostly U.S.-crewed. Those ships cost more to build and operate, and only a few lines serve these routes, so ocean freight to Hawaii and Alaska costs more than a comparable distance on land.

Expect to pay several hundred dollars to about $1,000 more than a similar-length mainland shipment, depending on your origin and destination.

• Mainland leg: If you're not near a West Coast port, your car is trucked to the port first. Shipping from the East Coast adds that cross-country leg.
• Ocean leg: Roughly 5–7 days at sea from California to Honolulu, plus port processing at both ends.
• Neighbor islands: An inter-island barge adds a few days.
• Return trips: Hawaii-to-mainland shipments are often cheaper because there's less demand eastbound. See Hawaii to California.

Our ship a car to Hawaii FAQ covers the paperwork.

Some ocean carriers have restricted electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on Hawaii routes because of lithium-ion battery fire risk. Matson, one of the main carriers, stopped accepting EVs and plug-in hybrids. Policies change, so confirm in writing which line will carry your EV before you book.

For more on EV transport, read EV shipping and battery safety.

Hawaii screens incoming vehicles for soil, seeds, insects and plant material. A dirty car can be refused or sent for cleaning at your cost. Before drop-off:

• Wash the exterior completely, including wheel wells.
• Clean the undercarriage — this is where soil hides.
• Vacuum the interior and remove all personal belongings.
• Empty roof boxes and cargo carriers.
• Most ports also require a low fuel level, often a quarter tank or less.

Ocean freight (most common): Tacoma-area port to Anchorage, typically 5–7 days on the water, with trucking to and from the ports.

Alaska Marine Highway ferry: Runs from Bellingham, Washington, to Southeast Alaska ports. Useful for towns like Juneau or Ketchikan that aren't on the road system.

Drive the Alaska Highway: Roughly 2,300 miles from Seattle to Anchorage through Canada, usually 7–10 days. You'll need a passport, and fuel, lodging and wear on the car add up. Shipping saves the miles and the time.

Hawaii: Plan to register within about 30 days of arrival. Hawaii also requires a safety inspection. Keep your Bill of Lading — it shows when the car entered the state.

Alaska: New residents generally need to register within a short window after establishing residency. Check the Alaska DMV for the current rules.

See car shipping documents for what to have ready.

Most cars arrive at the Port of Honolulu on Oahu. From there, inter-island barges carry vehicles to Kahului on Maui, Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island, and Nawiliwili on Kauai. Neighbor-island delivery adds a few days and a separate charge. If you're moving to a neighbor island, ask whether your vehicle can be booked straight through to that port, which saves you from picking it up in Honolulu and rebooking.

Ocean freight to Anchorage: The most common way. Cars typically sail from the Tacoma area, and many shipments are then delivered to Anchorage or picked up at the port. From Anchorage, cars can be trucked onward to cities on the road system like Fairbanks.

Alaska Marine Highway ferry: State-run ferries connect Bellingham, Washington, to Southeast Alaska towns like Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka, which aren't connected by road to the rest of the state. Vehicle space should be booked well in advance in summer.

Driving the Alaska Highway: The route through British Columbia and Yukon is scenic but long — expect about a week or more of driving, Canadian border requirements, long distances between services and rough sections in places.

Driving from Seattle to Anchorage is roughly 2,300 miles. Add fuel for a long trip, seven to ten nights of lodging, meals, and wear on the car, and the total can approach or exceed the cost of shipping — before you count time off work. Shipping also avoids the risk of breakdowns in remote areas and the extra miles on your car. For many people moving to Anchorage, shipping and flying is the simpler choice.

Hawaii: Plan to register within about 30 days of the vehicle's arrival at your county DMV, and get a Hawaii safety inspection. You'll typically need your shipping documents, title or registration, proof of insurance and ID.

Alaska: New residents need to register their vehicles with the Alaska DMV after establishing residency. Check the DMV's current rules, including any emissions requirements in your area.

Rules change, so check the official agency before you move. Read moving a car to a new state.

Hawaii (from California): Ocean freight and port handling typically total about $1,200–$2,200 for a standard car. From farther inland, add the truck leg to the port — for example, our Arizona to Hawaii and Alabama to Hawaii routes include that leg. Neighbor islands add an inter-island barge.

Alaska (from the West Coast): Ocean shipping typically starts around $1,800–$2,500 and rises with the mainland leg from farther east — see California to Alaska and Alaska to Florida.

Also budget for registration, inspection and any local delivery.

• Wash the car inside and out, including the undercarriage.
• Keep fuel at a quarter tank or less.
• Remove all personal items except standard equipment.
• Remove toll tags and aftermarket alarms if possible.
• Bring title or registration, ID and a lienholder letter if financed.
• Confirm EV or plug-in hybrid acceptance in writing before booking.

Vessel space can fill up, especially in summer and around the start of the school year, when many military families and new residents move. Book two to four weeks ahead for Hawaii and Alaska, and longer if you also need a long mainland truck leg. Alaska's summer is the busiest moving season; winter shipping is possible but weather can affect the Anchorage end of the trip.

Many service members moving to Hawaii or Alaska on orders are authorized to ship one vehicle through the government. If you have a second vehicle, or the government isn't shipping your car, commercial shipping fills the gap. Check your entitlements with your transportation office, then book early. See PCS vehicle shipping and military car shipping.

Hawaii means ocean freight, a clean empty car, an agricultural inspection and registration within about 30 days. Alaska means a choice between ocean freight, the ferry and a long drive through Canada, with ocean shipping the most common choice for Anchorage. In both cases, book early, confirm EV acceptance, and keep your Bill of Lading for registration.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?: From California, typically about $1,200–$2,200 for a standard car. From the Midwest or East Coast, add the cost of trucking to a West Coast port.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Alaska?: From the West Coast, ocean shipping typically starts around $1,800–$2,500. Origins farther east cost more.

Can I ship an electric vehicle to Hawaii?: Possibly, but some ocean carriers don't accept EVs or plug-in hybrids. Confirm acceptance in writing before booking.

Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car to Alaska?: Driving can cost less in cash, but it takes a week or more and adds thousands of miles to the car. Shipping saves time and wear.

Can I ship a car from Hawaii to the East Coast?: Yes. The car sails to the West Coast and is trucked to your address. See Hawaii to New York.

Do I need a passport to drive to Alaska?: Yes, or another accepted travel document, because the Alaska Highway passes through Canada.

Can I ship a car to Juneau?: Yes, by ferry or barge, since Juneau isn't on the road system.

Is it cheaper to buy a car in Hawaii than ship one?: Sometimes. Island car prices can be higher, but shipping costs add up too. Compare the value of your car with the cost of shipping and the price of a similar car in Hawaii.