How does car shipping to Hawaii work, and what does it cost?

• Origin: West Coast port drop-off is cheapest; inland pickup adds a truck leg
• Method: RoRo costs less than container shipping
• Vehicle size: Trucks and large SUVs cost more
• Destination island: Honolulu is the main port; neighbor islands may cost more
• Season: Summer and the holidays are busiest

Allow time for the truck leg to the port (if needed), the port cut-off for your sailing, about 7–14 days at sea and port processing at arrival. Cars from the East Coast can take 3–5 weeks in total.

Have your title or lienholder letter, registration and ID ready, empty the car of personal items and keep fuel low. See the cheapest way to ship a car to Hawaii, Hawaii car shipping and Hawaii to California.

• California to Honolulu: About $1,200–$2,200
• Washington to Honolulu: Roughly $1,250–$2,200
• Arizona to Honolulu: Roughly $1,250–$2,300, including the truck leg to the port
• East Coast or Southeast to Honolulu: Higher, because of the long mainland leg

Neighbor-island delivery adds an inter-island barge. Return trips to the mainland are often a little cheaper.

Hawaii generally requires registration within about 30 days of arrival through your county DMV, plus a Hawaii safety inspection. Keep your Bill of Lading — it shows the arrival date. Check your county's site for current rules.

• California to Hawaii
• San Diego to Hawaii
• Washington to Hawaii
• Hawaii to California
• Hawaii to New York