Shipping a Car From California to Hawaii: Your Complete Guide

Topics Covered
Shipping a Car From California to Hawaii

Are you wanting to head off the mainland and reset in the beauty of Hawaii? Whether you plan to make a permanent move there or will just be on the islands for an extended vacation, having your vehicle with you makes the journey a whole lot better. Getting your car from California to Hawaii may sound complicated, but with our help, it is quite simple! Auto shipping from California to Hawaii is one of our specialties, helping get people their cars across the Pacific Ocean with ease!

Why Ship a Car From California to Hawaii?

If you have plans to move or at least stay in Hawaii for an extended period of time/indefinite period of time, having your own car with you is highly recommended. It will not only cost you less in the long run, but it will also help make your move/trip flawless. You will not have to worry about renting a car, paying for taxis or rideshares, nor finding ways to get around in general. You will have your own means of transportation available to you at any moment of the day! This can make exploring the beautiful state so much easier and accessible. You will not have to be restricted to public transportation or driving services, which is the ultimate dream on long vacations!

How to Ship a Car From California to Hawaii?

You may be wondering, how exactly can you ship a car across an ocean? It is actually a lot simpler than you may think! Your vehicle just takes a ride on a ship for a part of the journey. Depending on where your vehicle is being picked up from, the beginning of the auto shipment looks the same as any other car shipping service. Your vehicle is shipped on roads on a truck, either on an open carrier or enclosed trailer depending on what you choose. Then, once the driver gets your vehicle to the port, it is taken on board a cargo ship and shipped across the ocean!

Why Choose GAT for Shipping From California to Hawaii?

When you need to ship a car from California to Hawaii, there is only one real shipping provider who will properly take care of your vehicle from pick-up to drop-off. That is us here at Global Auto Transportation, also known as GAT! We provide the best vehicle benefits and ship with the best team of drivers around, keeping your vehicle safe 24/7!

Competitive Pricing

Wondering how much is it to ship a car from California to Hawaii? When you ship with GAT, you get the benefit of competitive pricing. We have a price beat guarantee service that we operate under guaranteeing that you will not find a better price than ours on the market! If you find a shipping price quote from one of our competitors, you can bring that to us, and we will do our best to beat their price!

Trusted Shipping Partners

We have been shipping cars across the United States, including from California to Hawaii for nearly two decades! Over those two decades, we have really mastered the art of auto transportation and provide the best care for all of our clients. After having shipped thousands of vehicles over the years, we have become reliable auto transport providers for people all over the country!

Comprehensive Damage Protection

Shipping your vehicle anywhere has risks. Shipping your vehicle across the ocean brings on even more risks. When you ship your vehicle with GAT, your vehicle is fully insured when in our care. Our liability insurance covers your vehicle from pick-up to drop-off! The coverage does not extend to any items held within your vehicle while it is being shipped, but we have options available to you if you wish to add on coverage!

Personalized Concierge Service

Having your vehicle shipped from California to Hawaii with Global Auto Transportation means your vehicle is shipped with its own personalized concierge service. You will have direct contact points with the driver and your booking agent, giving you updates on your vehicle’s journey across the land and the ocean. They are dedicated to your vehicle, giving you personalized care the entire experience.

What Are the Shipping Options for Cars From California to Hawaii?

Do not worry too much about how your car will get from California to Hawaii. Here is all you need to know about our shipping options.

1.     Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) Shipping

A common method of auto shipping to Hawaii is known as RORO, or Roll-On/Roll-Off. In this shipping option, your vehicle is quite literally rolled onto a ship (meaning it is driven onboard via a platform). Your vehicle remains on the deck in which it was rolled onto, the top deck. Then, when the ship reaches Hawaii, your vehicle is rolled right off (meaning it is driven off via a platform again).

2.     Shared Container Shipping

If you want the equivalent of enclosed shipping while your vehicle is onboard the ship, container shipping is the way to go. You can ship your vehicle in two container types, shared or private. Shared container shipping means your vehicle is shipped within a container that is shared with other vehicles. Your vehicle is still very secure in this method!

3.     Private Container Shipping

You can also ship your vehicle in a private container. This means the container is dedicated only to your vehicle. This provides the ultimate protection for your car while it is being shipped to Hawaii.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car From California to Hawaii?

Now that you know a bit more about how to ship a car to Hawaii from California, you may be asking yourself, “how much is it to ship a car from California to Hawaii?” Well, unfortunately the answer does depend on a number of factors. Because the shipping is broken up into parts, the shipping method you decide to ship with for each step alters the shipping cost.

Whether you decide to ship with open or enclosed auto shipping for the land part of the journey, your price will change as enclosed is more expensive than open. Which shipping style you choose for the oceanic part of the journey, whether it is RORO, shared container, or private container, will adjust your pricing as well. Private container shipping is the most expensive, followed by shared container shipping, then followed by RORO.

Additionally, the actual distance of the shipment adjusts the shipping cost as well, as it adjusts the time it takes to complete the shipment. However, we always offer our competitive pricing, making the cost perfect for you!

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car From California to Hawaii?

The length of time it takes to ship a car from California to Hawaii depends on the distance travelled. California is a large state, so depending on your pick-up destination, the shipment from there to the port may be a couple of days. Then, the overseas journey can take around one to two weeks, depending on the season and condition of the ocean. When it comes to shipping from California to Hawaii, when you have the exact pick-up and drop-off locations, we can help you figure out the expected duration of the trip by calculating how many miles will be traveled from California to Hawaii.

What Do You Need to Know Before Shipping a Car to Hawaii?

Required Documentation

When you ship your car from California to Hawaii, you need to have some important information handy. This includes your driver’s license, your vehicle’s registration, and proof of insurance.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping

Before you have your vehicle shipped, we suggest you have any necessary maintenance work done. We can ship non-operable cars, but it is best to have your vehicle physically ready for the trip. You also want to be sure to have your gas tank around ¼ full. This is the ideal gas tank level for shipping as it does not weigh down the vehicle, but it is enough for the driver to load and unload the vehicle as needed. For more helpful knowledge, view our step-by-step guide!

Insurance and Damage Protection

You have to provide proof of insurance when you ship your vehicle. However, when it is in our hands, your car is fully covered under our liability coverage as well!

Military Car and Heavy Equipment Transport Discounts

When reserving auto shipments for military vehicles or heavy duty equipment, we offer special discounts. When you are reserving your transport service, ask your agent about these offers!

Conclusion

Shipping with Global Auto Transportation is the best way to move your vehicle from California to Hawaii! If you need to ship your vehicle from another state, it will make its way to California and leave from a port on the west coast in order to take your vehicle across the Pacific quickly and easily! 

 

Leave a Comment

Share This Article:

You Might Also Like