Whether you’re moving or taking an extended vacation, shipping your car to Hawaii seems like a daunting task. Most people don’t even consider it a possibility, given the incredible distance. Rest assured that getting a car, truck, van, or any other type of vehicle is only a matter of organization and payment. Here is everything you need to know about shipping a car to Hawaii.
It might be more cost-effective to buy a new vehicle in Hawaii.
Depending on the value of your current model, it might be more economical to sell it before you leave and buy a new one in Hawaii. While the costs for shipping a car halfway across the Pacific aren’t astronomical, it will certainly eat up a large portion of your moving or vacation budget. Try to have the value of your car assessed to compare that with the overall cost of the transfer. If the math doesn’t add up, sell the vehicle, and use that cash towards purchasing another car once you settled in Hawaii.
You can choose where the car is picked up and shipped.
Since shipping is the only method of transporting vehicles to Hawaii, you’ll have to get your car to a port one way or another. Most operators offer a multitude of options. For the departure leg of the journey, you can drive your vehicle directly to the port or have it picked up directly from your home and taken to the port. If you live west of the Rocky Mountains, there’s no reason not to drive to a nearby port and save on shipping costs. However, those living further east might want to pay a little extra for the convenience. You’ll have a similar option when the vehicle arrives in Hawaii. You can pick it up at the arrival port or have it shipped directly to your new residence on one of the islands. Keep in mind that you can cut high costs by dealing with the port directly.
Costs are typically flat unless you have an over-sized vehicle.
Shipping a car to Hawaii will probably cost you somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500. While overall costs vary between providers, you’ll see that the flat rates tend to hover around the same price range. If you have an over-sized vehicle, you’ll have to pay extra for the transfer.
Shipping via container is an option but not necessary.
If you’ve decided to use shipping containers to move your belongings to Hawaii, you’re probably thinking about doing the same with your vehicle. While it’s a possibility, there are some essential factors to consider. First and foremost, you’ll have less room in the container for other items. Also, you’ll be paying more than it would take to ship your vehicle “normally.” The shippers have to lift your car off the ground to get it into the container, use specialized equipment to keep it in place during the move and go through extra pains to ensure it arrives undamaged.
