Hawaii to California Car Shipping
Typical open-carrier cost: From about $1,020 port-to-port (Hawaii to California). Transit time: About 5–7 days on the water. This is an ocean route, not a truck route, so the sailing schedule drives everything.
Shipping a car between Hawaii and the mainland is a different animal from a normal lane. There is no highway. Your car crosses the Pacific by ocean carrier, and only two lines run it: Matson and Pasha. Understanding how they work saves you both money and headaches.
Hawaii to California car shipping cost
Ocean rates depend on direction and on whether you go port-to-port or door-to-door. Rates from Hawaii to the mainland tend to run lower than the reverse.
| Service | Direction | Timeline | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port-to-port (ocean only) | Hawaii → California | ~5–7 days sailing | From ~$1,020 |
| Port-to-port (ocean only) | California → Hawaii | ~5–7 days sailing | ~$1,800–$2,050 |
| Door-to-door (full service) | Either way | About 2–4 weeks total | Ocean rate + inland haul |
Sailing schedules are the thing people miss
Matson and Pasha sail on a weekly schedule, not daily. If your car misses a sailing, the next one is about a week out. That is why a door-to-door move can take two to four weeks end to end, even though the ocean crossing itself is under a week. Plan around the ship, not the calendar.
Port-to-port vs door-to-door
Port-to-port is cheaper if you can drop the car at the terminal (Honolulu on the island side, and Oakland or Long Beach on the California side) and pick it up at the other end. Door-to-door adds a local driver on each end and costs more, but you never have to touch a port. We can quote both so you can compare.
One rule to know for 2026: the ocean lines have restrictions on plug-in hybrids and EVs, and cars must be nearly empty of fuel and personal items. Ask us for the current checklist before you book.
Get free Hawaii car shipping quotes →
Read our full guide to shipping a car to Hawaii and our Matson review. See the cost guide and more routes.
Common questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Hawaii to California?
Port-to-port ocean shipping starts around $1,020. Door-to-door costs more because it adds a local driver on each end.
How long does the ocean crossing take?
The sailing itself is about five to seven days. Door-to-door service runs two to four weeks total because carriers sail weekly, not daily.
Which companies ship cars to Hawaii?
Only Matson and Pasha run the ocean leg. A broker like A4 arranges the booking and the inland pickup and delivery for you.