When shipping a vehicle to Hawaii from the east coast an additional step will have to be made before the car is loaded onto a boat and moved to a port in Hawaii, that’s transporting it to a west-coast port. Generally, it's the fastest and cheapest to haul a vehicle overland to California where it will be sent from a port somewhere like San Diego toward its destination in Hawaii.
Drive to Port or Factor in Port Delivery
When paying to ship vehicles from the East Coast to Hawaii it’s important to factor in the cost of hauling to a port in California and to decide if you want to have the vehicle delivered there or if you want to drive it to the port for shipping out of California.
While it is a bit more expensive, most people opt to have their cars transported to port and then shipped from there. Doing so saves you a substantial amount of time and often isn’t too much more expensive than doing all the work yourself. After factoring in things like hotel stays, travel, and gas costs it’s very comparable to paying for shipping to the West Coast rather than handling all the work yourself. That’s why for most people it’s a no-brainer to pay for the moving from mainland U.S. to Hawaii altogether. Some do door-to-door delivery to eliminate any stress that may come up during the process
Hauling Times Vary
Depending on what part of the East Coast you live on your shipping times will vary. Overland transit often takes between 5 days and 7 days ( departure to arrival) to go from the ports on the East Coast to the West Coast US, so you must factor that time into the trip.
Prepare Your Vehicle for Delivery
Your car needs to be road-ready before it can be sent to Hawaii. This includes ensuring sure the ship can load it without any mechanical issues. In addition, before giving over the keys to the car transport firm, you should remove all of your items and belongings from the vehicle and disable the alarm system. Most firms won't let you keep anything in your car during transit, so make sure it's empty other than the required documents and documentation. It's also good to take pictures of your car from different angles to ascertain its true state. Anything can happen during transit so you can have evidence for insurance claims.
Shipping a vehicle from the East Coast to Hawaii Islands is a bit more expensive than moving from the West Coast, but some companies will do the work and it’s certainly possible. Take the time to hire a reputable company and you will be enjoying a relaxing drive in Hawaii soon enough.
Do you have questions about shipping cars and belongings from Mainland to Hawaii? Contact us. No matter where you need to ship from, A-1 AT has you covered. We have shipped cars for thousands of customers and car owners anywhere in the country and beyond. For fast services, you can contact an agent by phone at (888) 230-9116.
Relevant Statistics
- Over 14,000 cars are shipped from the East Coast to Hawaii each year.
- The average shipping time for a car from the East Coast to Hawaii is approximately 15 days.
- More than 90% of cars shipped from the East Coast to Hawaii arrive in perfect condition.
- The cost to ship a car from the East Coast to Hawaii ranges between $1,500 and $2,500.
- Approximately 75% of car owners choose enclosed shipping containers for added protection during transit.
General Facts
- Shipping a car from the East Coast to Hawaii involves transporting it across the Pacific Ocean.
- The most common method of hauling is through an ocean freight service.
- The estimated transit time for moving a car from the East Coast to Hawaii is typically around 2-4 weeks.
- It is important to properly prepare your car for shipment, including cleaning it and removing any personal belongings.
- Before shipping a car to Hawaii, you will need to provide documentation such as the vehicle title, registration, and proof of insurance.