2026 Hawaii guide
How to Ship a Car to Hawaii
Every step, every island and every cost factor — from your mainland driveway to a Hawaiian harbor or front door.
Overview
A Hawaii move is two moves stacked together
Your car does not just get on a boat. It rides a semi-truck to a West Coast port, crosses the Pacific on a roll-on/roll-off vessel, then finishes on a local island carrier. Understanding those three legs is what keeps the price predictable.
Mainland truck
Door-to-port on an open or enclosed semi-truck. This leg often costs more than the ocean crossing itself, especially from the East Coast.
Ocean sailing
Roll-on/roll-off service to Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, Nawiliwili or an inter-island relay. Sailing frequency varies sharply by island.
Island delivery
Port-to-door on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai or Lanai. Terminal pickup is always an option if you want to save the local fee.
Process
The five steps from driveway to harbor
Mainland pickup
A vetted open or enclosed carrier collects your vehicle at your door and hauls it to the West Coast port — Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle or Tacoma.
Port drop & sailing
We handle the terminal paperwork, wharfage and booking. Your car rolls onto a scheduled roll-on/roll-off vessel headed for Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, Nawiliwili or an inter-island relay.
Ocean transit
The Pacific crossing itself is usually 5–9 days to Oahu and 7–14 days to neighbor islands. The longest part of the trip is almost always waiting for the right sailing, not the sailing itself.
Island delivery
A local Hawaiian carrier meets the vessel and brings the car to your door, hotel or base. You can also collect it at the harbor to skip the local delivery fee.
Rates
Hawaii prices by vehicle type
Oahu — what each vehicle type costs
West Coast terminal to Oahu harbor. Ranges reflect current published ocean tariffs for the measured size bucket, plus our flat $299 broker fee in the total column.
| Vehicle type | Size bucket | Ocean rate | EV ocean rate | Port-to-port total with our fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car / sedanCamry, Accord, Civic, 3 Series, Model 3 | Up to about 193 in long and 71 in tall | $1,650 – $2,250 | $2,150 – $2,900 | $1,950 – $2,550 |
| Crossover / small SUVRAV4, CR-V, Equinox, Q5, Model Y | Up to about 195 in long and 72 in tall | $1,850 – $2,520 | $2,410 – $3,250 | $2,145 – $2,820 |
| Mid-size SUV / wagonHighlander, Explorer, Grand Cherokee, 4Runner | Up to about 200 in long and 74 in tall | $1,980 – $2,700 | $2,580 – $3,480 | $2,280 – $3,000 |
| Minivan / passenger vanOdyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Carnival | Up to about 205 in long and 70 in tall | $2,045 – $2,790 | $2,665 – $3,595 | $2,345 – $3,090 |
| Full-size SUVTahoe, Suburban, Expedition, Escalade, Sequoia | Up to about 226 in long and 77 in tall | $2,210 – $3,015 | $2,880 – $3,885 | $2,510 – $3,315 |
| Pickup truck — standard cab and bedF-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Tacoma | Up to about 232 in long and 78 in tall | $2,275 – $3,105 | $2,965 – $4,000 | $2,575 – $3,405 |
| Crew cab / long bed / heavy dutyF-250, Ram 2500, Silverado 2500 crew cab, mega cab | About 233 – 250 in long, up to 80 in tall | $2,560 – $3,490 | $3,335 – $4,495 | $2,855 – $3,785 |
| Lifted, dually, or cargo vanLifted trucks, oversized tires, dually rear axle, Transit / Sprinter | Over 250 in long or over 80 in tall — measured at the terminal | $2,935 – $4,005 | $3,825 – $5,160 | $3,235 – $4,305 |
Included in the total
- • Port-to-port ocean transport on a fully enclosed roll-on/roll-off vessel
- • Our flat $299 broker fee, already included in the total column
- • Booking paperwork, sailing selection and terminal drop-off instructions
- • Photo-documented condition report at drop off and at pickup
Quoted separately
- • Mainland door-to-port trucking to the West Coast terminal (quoted separately)
- • Island door delivery from the harbor (quoted separately unless your quote says door-to-door)
- • State and county taxes, harbor fees and fuel adjustments in effect at sailing
- • Cleaning or agricultural re-inspection if the vehicle fails the soil inspection at the terminal
Ocean pricing to Hawaii is set by measured vehicle size, not by make or model. The terminal measures overall length, width and height at drop off, including anything bolted on — roof racks, light bars, bull bars, lift kits, oversized tires, bed racks and hitch-mounted carriers all move a vehicle into the next size bucket. Give us the year, make, model and any modifications and we quote the correct bucket up front instead of surprising you at the port.
Battery-electric vehicles ship on an EV-approved vessel service with its own ocean tariff, state-of-charge limits and stowage rules. EV totals run roughly $500 – $700 above the comparable gas or hybrid rate, and the $299 broker fee is still included. Tell us the vehicle is electric when you request your quote so we price the correct sailing the first time.
Measurements
How each vehicle type is measured — and what qualifies
Ocean pricing is set by the size the terminal measures, not by the make and model. Check your vehicle against the limits below before you book, and note the extra rules that apply to electric vehicles.
Length
Park on level ground and measure bumper to bumper, including a hitch, spare tire carrier, ladder or anything protruding. Do not use the manufacturer spec sheet — measure the vehicle as it will arrive.
Height
Measure from the ground to the highest fixed point: roof rack crossbars, light bar, antenna base, camper shell or roof tent. Fold or remove anything you can. Air suspension should be at normal ride height.
Width
Measure across at the widest point, mirrors included. Fender flares, dually rear axles and wide off-road tires all count. Mirrors that fold flat can be measured folded if they stay folded at drop off.
- Max length
- 193 in (16 ft 1 in)
- Max height
- 71 in (5 ft 11 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Drives on and off the vessel under its own power
- • At least 4 in of ground clearance, or declare it as low clearance for ramp boards
- • No more than a quarter tank of fuel at the terminal
- • One working key and remote handed to the terminal
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Roof box, bike rack or ski rack — remove it or you are quoted as a crossover
- • Lowered suspension or a front splitter under 4 in needs low-clearance handling
- Max length
- 195 in (16 ft 3 in)
- Max height
- 72 in (6 ft 0 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Factory roof rails are fine; crossbars and cargo boxes are not
- • Runs and drives, brakes and parking brake functional
- • Tires at correct pressure and no spare mounted on the rear door
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Cargo box or roof tent moves it to mid-size SUV pricing
- • Rear-mounted spare or hitch cargo tray adds to measured length
- Max length
- 200 in (16 ft 8 in)
- Max height
- 74 in (6 ft 2 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Third-row seating and factory towing packages are accepted
- • Aftermarket bumpers and winches must be declared in advance
- • No cargo, tools or household goods inside — the terminal will refuse it
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Light bar, safari rack or roof tent adds height and re-buckets the vehicle
- • Over 33-inch tires typically lifts height past 74 in
- Max length
- 205 in (17 ft 1 in)
- Max height
- 70 in (5 ft 10 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Passenger and mobility conversions are accepted with a working ramp or lift secured
- • Wheelchair lifts must be stowed and locked before drop off
- • All rear seats installed or removed — no loose seats in the cargo area
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Raised fiberglass roof conversion becomes a cargo-van class quote
- • Hitch carriers and rear ladders add measured length
- Max length
- 226 in (18 ft 10 in)
- Max height
- 77 in (6 ft 5 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Stock ride height with factory or same-diameter replacement tires
- • Running boards, step bars and factory roof rails are included in the bucket
- • Air suspension must be left in normal ride height, not raised
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Any lift kit, even 2 in, moves the vehicle to the oversize bucket
- • Roof racks with crossbars usually push height past 77 in
- Max length
- 232 in (19 ft 4 in)
- Max height
- 78 in (6 ft 6 in)
- Max width
- 80 in including mirrors
Eligible when
- • Standard cab or extended cab with a standard bed, stock height
- • Tonneau covers are fine; hard camper shells are measured for height
- • Bed must be empty — tool boxes may stay if bolted in and empty
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Crew cab or long bed moves you to the heavy-duty bucket
- • Bull bar, bed rack, headache rack or antenna mast adds measured size
- Max length
- 233 – 250 in (19 ft 5 in – 20 ft 10 in)
- Max height
- 80 in (6 ft 8 in)
- Max width
- 84 in including mirrors and flares
Eligible when
- • Crew cab, mega cab, long bed and 3/4- or 1-ton heavy duty accepted
- • Fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches may stay if they sit below bed-rail height
- • Dual rear wheels must be declared — the width band changes
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Over 250 in long or over 80 in tall is quoted as oversize
- • Flatbed conversions and service bodies are measured individually
- Max length
- Over 250 in — measured at the terminal
- Max height
- Over 80 in — measured at the terminal
- Max width
- Over 84 in — measured at the terminal
Eligible when
- • Lifted trucks, duallys, cargo vans and high-roof Sprinter/Transit vans
- • Total height including racks, light bars and antennas must clear the vessel deck
- • Photos of the vehicle with a tape measure at the tallest point speed up the booking
What moves it to the next size bucket
- • Anything over 96 in tall may need a specific sailing with a high deck
- • Non-running oversize vehicles need winch service at both ends
Electric vehicle requirements
- • State of charge must be between roughly 30% and 50% at terminal drop off — a full battery is refused on most EV sailings
- • The vehicle must ship on an EV-approved vessel service, which sails less often than standard roll-on/roll-off
- • Charge port must close and latch; aftermarket charge-port modifications must be declared
- • No aftermarket or damaged battery packs, and no vehicle with an open battery recall or a dashboard battery fault
- • Charging cables and adapters travel in the frunk or trunk only if the terminal allows them — otherwise ship them separately
- • Transport mode (Tesla), tow mode or neutral hold must be demonstrable so the vehicle can be moved on deck
- • Plug-in hybrids follow the same charge-level rule; conventional hybrids ship on standard sailings
- • EV ocean tariffs run roughly $500 – $700 above the comparable gas rate for the same measured size bucket
Not accepted on a standard sailing
- • Active fuel, oil or coolant leaks
- • Damaged or unsecured lithium battery packs, including in EVs and plug-in hybrids
- • Vehicles loaded with household goods, tools or personal belongings
- • Propane, fuel cans, ammunition, aerosols or any hazardous material on board
- • Salvage or fire-damaged vehicles without prior terminal approval
- • Vehicles that cannot be steered or braked, unless booked as non-running with winch service
Free tool
Estimate your Hawaii move
Hawaii Car Shipping Estimator
Quick planning range for a running passenger vehicle to a Hawaiian island. Every number is built on the port-to-port ocean rate and already includes our flat $299broker fee. The final quote depends on your exact addresses, sailing schedule and vehicle condition.
Estimated door-to-door range
$1,750 – $2,350
To Oahu, including the mainland truck leg, the ocean sailing (port-to-port $1,650 – $2,250), island delivery and our $299 broker fee.
The $299 broker fee is included in the total above — nothing is added later.
By island
Compare every Hawaiian island we serve
We ship to every island served by scheduled ocean service — Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island (Hilo and Kawaihae), Kauai, Molokai and Lanai. Click through for harbor details, delivery towns, transit times and 2026 totals.
Every Hawaii total on this site is built the same way: the published port-to-port ocean rate for your island, plus the mainland door-to-port truck leg, plus the island delivery leg, plus our flat $299 broker fee. The $299 is already included in the totals below — it is not added later.
Battery-electric vehicles ship on an EV-approved vessel service with its own ocean tariff, state-of-charge limits and stowage rules. EV totals run roughly $500 – $700 above the comparable gas or hybrid rate, and the $299 broker fee is still included. Tell us the vehicle is electric when you request your quote so we price the correct sailing the first time.
Oahu
Honolulu Harbor
Ocean transit 5–9 days. The Gathering Place.
From $1,750
Maui
Kahului Harbor
Ocean transit 7–12 days. The Valley Isle.
From $1,950
Hawaii Island
Hilo Harbor and Kawaihae Harbor
Ocean transit 8–14 days. The Big Island.
From $2,000
Kauai
Nawiliwili Harbor
Ocean transit 8–13 days. The Garden Isle.
From $2,050
Molokai
Kaunakakai Harbor
Ocean transit 10–18 days including the inter-island barge leg. The Friendly Isle.
From $2,250
Lanai
Kaumalapau Harbor
Ocean transit 10–18 days including the inter-island barge leg. The Pineapple Isle.
From $2,300
Military PCS
Shipping a car to Hawaii on PCS orders
We coordinate military moves to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, MCBH Kaneohe Bay and other installations year-round. The process is the same as a civilian move, but paperwork matters more.
Documents to have ready
- PCS orders (official copy)
- Title or lienholder authorization letter
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Notarized power of attorney if someone else releases the vehicle
Why book early
PCS season overlaps with summer peak sailings. Booking three to six weeks out protects both your price and your sailing date. Rush moves are possible but expensive, and not every sailing has last-minute space.
Checklist
Prepare your car for Hawaii shipping
- Wash the vehicle so the pre-trip inspection photos clearly show existing condition
- Leave no more than a quarter tank of fuel
- Remove or disable toll transponders — we are not responsible for tolls charged in transit
- Remove all personal belongings, household goods and loose items
- Disable alarms and provide one working key plus the remote
- Have the title, registration or lienholder authorization and photo ID ready
- Measure roof racks, lift kits and oversized tires — they can change the classing
Print this and check off each item before the driver arrives. It includes toll transponder removal, fuel level and photo documentation.
Coverage
Insurance and liability on Hawaii moves
Mainland open carrier
$250,000 cargo coverage on open carriers. We send the certificate before dispatch.
Mainland enclosed carrier
up to $2,000,000 cargo coverage on enclosed carriers, soft-tie systems, no chains on the frame.
Ocean leg
Covered by the vessel operator's marine cargo terms. We explain the limits before booking; claims are filed with the ocean carrier.
FAQ
Hawaii car shipping questions
How long does it take to ship a car to Hawaii?
Can I ship a car to Hawaii if it does not run?
Do you ship to all Hawaiian islands?
Can military members ship a car to Hawaii with PCS orders?
Is my car insured while it is on the ship?
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Hawaii?
Get a quote
Price your Hawaii move today
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Ready to ship your car to Hawaii?
Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.