Auto Shipping To & From Hawai’i- What You Should Know and Common Myths Debunked

By /

Auto shipping to and from Hawai'i can be daunting. With many options to choose from and varying information available online, it can be difficult to find the right option for your needs.

In this blog we'll cover shipping service available for your vehicle, things to be aware of, and debunk common auto shipping myths.

Auto Shipping Service

Roll On/Roll Off (RO/RO) Shipping

Vehicles shipped via RO/RO are driven on and off the ship and are loaded into a secure, specially designed auto frame garage, in the hull of the vessel. Kona Container Guy offers overland trucking transportation services on the mainland to/from the ports of Oakland, CA. and Long Beach, CA.
Industry-Leading concierge and overland trucking services are also available on Hawai'i island.
Click Here To Learn More

Pricing

RO/RO Auto Shipping

Pricing is for port to port RO/RO auto service for any standard auto.
  • 1,190 From port Honolulu to port Oakland or Long Beach.
  • 1,720 From port Oakland or Long Beach to port Honolulu.
  • 2,190 From port Hilo, Kahului, or Nawiliwili to port Oakland or Long Beach.
  • 2,390 From port Oakland or Long Beach to port Hilo, Kahului, or Nawiliwili.
Get A Quote
*Overland trucking transportation services available on the mainland and on Hawai'i Island upon request.
*Shipping to/from port Anchorage available upon request. *Pricing valid as of January 2026 and is subject to change.

Common Auto Shipping Myths Debunked

When researching auto shipping to and from Hawai’i, you’ll find lots of conflicting information online. Below, we have debunked some common myths for transparency.

  • Shipping personal effects inside the vehicle.
    If your vehicle is being shipped via roll on/roll off (RO/RO) service, you aren’t permitted to have any personal effects inside the vehicle.
    This requirement is related to increasing hazardous cargo restrictions aboard ocean vessels.
  • Vehicles shipped independently have no protection.
    Your vehicle will ship in the hull of the vessel to/from port Honolulu in an auto frame garage. If your vehicle is shipping to an outer island (Hawai’i Island, Maui, or Kauai), it will transit inter-island to/from Honolulu on a covered barge.
  • "Guaranteed" Target Timelines
    Various factors can impact target timelines including weather, high shipping volume, etc.
    Guaranteed timelines are never truly guaranteed.
    Kona Container Guy will accurately target your timeline to reflect current volume upon booking.

Transit Time

Stand alone auto shipments sail once monthly to/from the outer islands. Due to this, volume is consistently high and advanced booking is imperative. These types of auto shipments take (2) weeks to transit to/from port Honolulu, and approximately 30-45 days to/from the outer islands.

Cargo Ship Versus Barge Shipping

There are (2) ways goods are shipped via ocean to the Hawai’i: via cargo ship or barge.

The differences in these services are vast. Goods and vehicles shipped via cargo ship have lesser transit times and greater protection while in transit. Cargo shipped via barge to or from the mainland come at a low cost, but take much longer to transit (we’re talking 3-4 months typically). These barges are open and your vehicle will be exposed to the elements during the months long voyage. Auto shipping via barge is especially concerning in the winter months, when the ocean is the most unpredictable and storms are common.

It’s important to note, that all cargo delivered to the outer islands is shipped via inter-island barge by Young Brothers, Hawai’i’s dedicated inter-island shipper. This barge is partially covered. The transit time is short: 24-48 hours.

Shipping A New Vehicle To Hawai'i

We specialize in the shipment of new vehicles from the dealership to Hawai’i. 

We will work with your selling dealer on your behalf, handle all paperwork, and provide registration support. We also provide reliable overland trucking services from the dealership to the port.

Paperwork Needed For Shipment

Westbound Auto Shipping:

Westbound auto shipping has no paperwork requirements. Upon booking, we will request basic information including your vehicle’s VIN number, contact information for all parties associated with your shipment, etc.

Hawai’i Auto Registration Service is available on Hawai’i island for vehicles shipped from the mainland.

Eastbound Auto Shipping:

You must provide proof of current registration, Hawai’i auto insurance card, safety inspection, and title or lien holder authorization prior to shipment. A complete checklist will be provided by your Kona Container Guy representative at booking.

We will securely handle and verify all paperwork and submit it to the port.

Scroll to Top