Shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii is one of the more unique auto transport routes in the United States. Because Hawaii is only reachable by sea, the process works differently from standard interstate shipping, and understanding those differences saves you time, money, and stress. This guide covers everything you need to know: how much it costs, how long it takes, which shipping method to choose, and how to prepare your vehicle for an ocean crossing.
Key findings
- A sedan usually costs about $1,000–$1,800 from San Diego to Honolulu by RoRo, more to Maui, the Big Island or Kauai. Published standard rates start at roughly $900–$1,000.
- Plan on 2–3 weeks from booking to pickup in Honolulu. The ocean crossing itself is about a week.
- The car must be empty except for installed items like the spare tire and jack, with no more than a quarter tank of fuel.
- Bring the title, registration and ID, plus a letter from your lender if the car is financed or leased.
- Only one ship line takes cars in San Diego. The Los Angeles area has more choice, so it can pay to compare quotes from both.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from San Diego to Hawaii?
Shipping a standard sedan from San Diego to Hawaii usually costs about $1,000 to $1,800, depending on the island and the method. Published standard rates between the mainland and Hawaii start at roughly $900–$1,000 per vehicle, before extras.
| Destination Island | RoRo (Open) | Container Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Oahu (Honolulu) | $1,000 – $1,300 | $1,400 – $1,800 |
| Maui | $1,100 – $1,400 | $1,500 – $1,900 |
| Big Island (Hilo / Kona) | $1,150 – $1,450 | $1,550 – $2,000 |
| Kauai | $1,200 – $1,500 | $1,600 – $2,100 |
These are typical ocean rates from San Diego to the destination port. If a car shipping company picks the car up at your home and drives it to the port, add the truck leg, often $100–$300 within San Diego County.
Larger vehicles cost more: an SUV or pickup usually adds a few hundred dollars. A car that doesn’t run costs extra too, often around $500.
RoRo vs. Container Shipping: Which Is Right for You?
You can ship a car to Hawaii in two ways. For most people the choice is easy, because RoRo is cheaper and runs far more often.
RoRo (Roll-On / Roll-Off)
RoRo is the standard way to ship a car to Hawaii. The car is driven onto the ship, parked and secured on one of its enclosed vehicle decks, and driven off at the Hawaii port. Both ship lines that serve Hawaii carry cars this way.
Pros: the lowest price, the most sailings and simple drop-off and pickup at the port. Cons: the car must be completely empty of personal items, and you deliver it to the port and collect it there.
Best for: Daily drivers, standard sedans, SUVs, and any vehicle where budget matters more than maximum protection.
Container Shipping
Some freight and moving companies ship a car to Hawaii inside a steel container, either alone or together with household goods. The container is sealed at the mainland warehouse and opened in Hawaii.
Pros: the car is fully enclosed, and a container booked through a moving company can also carry your packed belongings, declared on the shipping paperwork. Cons: it usually costs noticeably more than RoRo and departures are less frequent. See do cars fit in shipping containers for sizes and loading.
Best for: classic and high-value cars, cars that don’t run, and people who are shipping household goods anyway.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car from San Diego to Hawaii?
The ocean transit from San Diego to Hawaii is approximately 2,100 nautical miles. Here is a realistic timeline broken into stages:
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Booking to port drop-off | 3–7 days |
| Port processing (San Diego) | 2–5 days |
| Ocean transit | 5–7 days |
| Port processing (Hawaii) | 2–4 days |
| Total: booking to pickup | 12–23 days |
Most customers receive their vehicle within 14 to 21 days of booking under normal conditions. Oahu (Honolulu) is the most frequently served port and typically has the shortest processing times. Outer islands such as Maui, the Big Island and Kauai add a few days because they require inter-island barge service after arrival at Honolulu.
Shipping a Car from San Diego to Hawaii: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose Your Shipping Method
Decide between RoRo and container shipping based on your vehicle’s value and your budget. Most people shipping a daily driver choose RoRo. If you are sending a classic or luxury vehicle, container is worth the extra cost.
Step 2: Book the sailing
You can book directly with the ship line and drive the car to its drop-off point yourself. Only one of the two Hawaii ship lines takes cars in San Diego; the other loads at Long Beach. Or you can use a car shipping company that books the sailing for you and trucks the car to the port, which saves you the drive but adds a fee.
If you use a middleman, check its USDOT and MC numbers in our FMCSA company lookup before you pay a deposit, and ask which ship line your car will actually sail on. You can compare car shipping companies in San Diego and companies that serve Hawaii in our directory.
Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle
Ocean shipping has stricter rules than shipping on a truck. Ship lines inspect every car at drop-off and can refuse one that doesn’t meet them:
- Fuel: a quarter tank or less. Some lines ask for between an eighth and a quarter of a tank.
- Personal items: none. Ship lines will not accept a car containing personal items; only things installed in the car can stay, such as the spare tire and jack or an installed infant car seat. More in can you put stuff in your car when shipping it.
- Documents: the title and current registration (the ship line may ask for copies in advance), your photo ID and the booking number. If the car is financed or leased, a letter from the lender allowing it to go to Hawaii. If someone else drops the car off, a signed authorization from the owner.
- Battery and alarm: a charged battery and the alarm turned off, so it doesn’t go off on the ship.
- No leaks: a car that is leaking fluids can be refused.
- Clean car: wash it, including the underside and wheel wells. Hawaii keeps out soil, plants and insects, and a dirty car can be held for cleaning.
- Photos: take clear photos from every side right before drop-off.
Step 4: Drop Off at the San Diego Terminal
Ship lines take cars at their own drop-off lots, and they need an appointment. The San Diego drop-off point and time slot come with your booking; arrive on time, because lots can turn away cars without an appointment. If you book the other line, you drive to Long Beach.
Step 5: Track and Receive Your Vehicle in Hawaii
Track the ship with your booking number and wait for the arrival notice before you go to the port. At pickup in Hawaii, compare the car with your drop-off photos before you sign. If you find damage, note it on the paperwork right there; our car damage claim guide explains what to do next.
Key Differences: Shipping from San Diego vs. Los Angeles to Hawaii
San Diego is about 120 miles south of Los Angeles. Both are good places to ship a car to Hawaii from, but they don’t offer the same ship lines:
- Ship lines: from San Diego, one ship line takes cars. In the Los Angeles area both Hawaii lines take cars, so you can compare two.
- Price: quotes are usually close. Get one from each line for your exact car and island before you decide.
- Convenience: for San Diego residents, dropping off locally saves a 2–3 hour drive each way.
If the San Diego sailing dates and price work for you, there’s little reason to drive to Los Angeles. If they don’t, Long Beach is the alternative.
What Hawaii’s Vehicle Import Rules Mean for You
Shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii is a domestic move: Hawaii is a U.S. state, so there are no customs forms or import duties. Two Hawaii rules still matter.
Agriculture: Hawaii guards against invasive pests and plants, and ship lines will hold or refuse a car carrying soil, plant material or insects.
To get through drop-off and arrival without delay:
- Clean the undercarriage, wheel wells, and floor mats before shipping
- Remove any organic material, such as soil, leaves, seeds or wood, from the vehicle interior and exterior
- Do not pack plant material, fresh fruit, or soil inside the vehicle
Registration: once the car arrives, you’ll need a Hawaii safety inspection and Hawaii registration, usually within 30 days. Keep the ship line’s bill of lading; the county asks for it. Our guide to registering a car in a new state covers the steps and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from San Diego to Hawaii?
Most San Diego to Hawaii shipments cost about $1,000 to $1,800 for a standard sedan by RoRo, depending on the island. Containers usually cost more.
How long does shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii take?
Total time from booking to pickup in Hawaii is typically 12 to 23 days. Ocean transit alone takes 5 to 7 days. Port processing on both ends adds another week in most cases.
Can I put personal items in my car when shipping to Hawaii?
No. For RoRo, the car must be empty except for installed items like the spare tire and jack; ship lines will not accept a car with personal items inside. If you need to ship belongings, send them separately or with a moving company that uses containers.
Do I need to drain my gas tank before shipping to Hawaii?
You don’t need to drain it, but it must be no more than a quarter full. Some lines ask for between an eighth and a quarter of a tank.
Which island has the fastest delivery time from San Diego?
Oahu (Honolulu), because it is the main port. Cars for Maui and the Big Island continue on inter-island service, which adds a few days. Check which islands your ship line serves; not every line goes to every island.
Is it cheaper to ship a car from San Diego or Los Angeles to Hawaii?
Quotes are usually close. San Diego residents save the drive by shipping locally; comparing a Long Beach sailing is worth it if the San Diego dates don’t fit.
Do I need a letter from my lender to ship a financed car to Hawaii?
Usually yes. Ship lines ask for written permission from the lienholder before they load a financed or leased car. Ask your lender early, because the letter can take a few days.
Before you book
If you book through a car shipping company rather than directly with the ship line, make sure it actually handles Hawaii shipments and tell you which line your car will sail on.
Check the company’s USDOT number in our free FMCSA lookup, read our list of auto transport scams before paying a deposit, and compare car shipping companies in San Diego for the trip to the port.