How Long Does it Take to Ship a Car to Hawaii?

Shipping times are pretty straightforward. As a simple rule, it will vary depending on where the vehicle is coming from in the mainland. Vehicles being dropped off directly by the shipper are going to arrive the fastest. The drop off is at the port of departure. Additional time is required for vehicles coming from afar.

It takes extra days from the point where they are picked up and dropped off to set sail.

Port Drop-Offs

Port drop-offs are the easiest because the timeline for delivery is the most predictable. This will take about 10 days to Oahu from the sailing date until it is ready for pickup. When it comes to a vehicle that is going to Hilo, Kahului, Nawiliwili, or Kona, it takes longer. Add up to 7 more days. This is because a ferry needs to move it. The ferry will bring them into those other islands after stopping in Oahu (Honolulu port). This includes all inspections.

Door to Port Pickups

This is where time will vary the most. A vehicle traveling all the way from the northeast will take some more time. It takes longer than one coming from the nearby western states. Typically, a carrier taking your vehicle to the port will travel no more than 500 miles in a day.

Let's take a vehicle coming from New Jersey and going to Honolulu. This vehicle will take roughly three to three and a half weeks. It would take about 5-6 days on the road just to get to port. It will then likely site for a couple of days longer at the port. This is because the sail date is estimated. Sail dates are planned around the time the vehicle is likely be there. Once loaded will take about 10 days to Oahu until it is ready for pickup. For Hilo, Kahului, Nawiliwili, or Kona, add up to 7 more days. This also includes all inspections.

How Long Before your Vehicle is Released

Although Hawaii is another state, the vehicle is traveling on the ocean. So there are differences to the U.S. Mainland. Vehicles to Hawaii are inspected by the Department of Agriculture. The government wants to protect the environment of the island.

Vehicles can arrive sooner than estimated. We try to be conservative with time, however you do have 5 days of free storage.

Fortunately, the process is quick since they are U.S. vehicles. We include proper estimates for inspections for you.

Delays Can Make it Take Longer

Be aware of the requirements to ship your vehicle. Keep the gas under a quarter tank, and make sure the vehicle is empty. Vehicles containing items inside will need to be put aside. They will have those items disposed of. Have a 1/4 tank or more? Expect delays. There will be a surcharge from the shipping line to do so. They will charge that fee and need paid prior to the vehicle boarding the shipping container.

Your vehicle doesn't need to be free of dents or accidents, but the glass must not be cracked or broken. No parts can be hanging from the car. The carrier will not take your car to the port if there are broken parts. That could cause the vehicle to be rejected. You will have to address those issues before the vehicle goes, costing you more time.

Carl has a decade of experience in the car shipping industry. He has worked in nearly every aspect of the transport business since 2014, taking charge of various roles in the company such as dispatching, sales, and customer service.

During those years, Carl amassed an invaluable amount of experience which has contributed to his writing of every article and and guide on NX since taking over content in 2015.