Want to Ship a Car to Hawaii? Here Are the Best Rates!

Car shipping rates vary because of the many factors associated with shipping a car. First and foremost, because Hawaii is an island, you cannot drive your vehicle to Hawaii. The only option is to transport it via shipping or RORO (Roll-On Roll-Off). 



However, classic car shipping rates vary depending on the following factors:

If you live near shipping ports, you can drive your car to the port to save extra cash. Otherwise, the shipping rates will be based on the distance from the point of pickup to the port and the distance from the port to the destination when it reaches Hawaii.

Vintage and luxury vehicles may incur additional costs and certain kinds of models and the year of the car. So, your transport service provider must be well informed about the details of your vehicle.

Cost also depends on the types of vehicles such as sedans, station wagons, passenger vans, pick-up trucks, and other trucks.

Insurance is another factor that makes car shipping a bit costly. Although all legitimate auto transporters are required by law to have liability insurance and an MC (Motor Carrier) number, also make sure that your transporter offers cargo insurance. 

If your auto transporter is adequately insured, that means you are protected if any damages might happen during shipping. Unfortunately, not all car shipping brokers have insurance that offers protection. So, be sure to ask for a copy of the insurance certificate and read their full coverage.

Costs depend on the service you choose. The package can be terminal shipping, open car transport or enclosed car transport, and another insurance package.

The time of the year also affects car shipping rates. During peak season in Hawaii, car shipping rates become expensive because of demand and supply. The off-season in Hawaii, where rates are slightly lower, including shipping cost, is late spring (April to June) and fall (September to December).

Some car shipping companies charge an extra fee if you are in a rush to ship your car. It is best to provide a longer time frame not to be forced to pay unnecessary charges. The trick here is to plan ahead of time.

In some cases, transport services will give you an option whether to put your car inside the container, open car transport, or enclosed auto transport. In this connection, car container shipping rates will be a bit more costly than the standard shipping method. The rates are higher by 30% to 40% because of the extra level of protection. If you own a very expensive or luxury vehicle, it is recommended that you take the enclosed auto transport. The carrier will put your car inside an enclosed container or trailer.



Furthermore, if you are relocating to Hawaii, you can also include the rest of your household goods in the container. The car container shipping rates vary depending on the size, weight, and distance. You can expect a range between $1500 and $1900.

If you do not know yet, there is an applicable discount for active and retired military members. Thus, giving you cheap car shipping rates for military. If you are either of these, you may mention it to your transport service provider. All military men and women are entitled to the car shipping rates military discount, which is 10% cheaper than the current market rates. 

The military car shipping rate is a service afforded by the government for military personnel, both active and retired. And if it is a PCS order, the government may cover the cost of one POV shipment. However, if you want to ship more than one vehicle, you must pay the rest yourself.

So, if you are a member of the US military, make sure to book your car shipping to companies that honor the car shipping rates military discount as there are companies that are not aware of this regulation.

In searching for a good transport service for your vehicle, the Better Business Bureau or BBB is a one-stop-shop website that you can use. It can help you find BBB top rated car shipping services because they screen accredited businesses. 

All businesses that BBB has screened are considered with higher standards for customer service, transparency, and ethical business practices (bbb.org). Although BBB also lists non-accredited companies, you can filter your search for accredited BBB top-rated car shipping only. For instance, the car shipping Hawaii is listed under the BBB accredited car shipping.

Furthermore, select businesses earn BBB accreditation by passing a thorough evaluation according to BBB standards. BBB assigns ratings to firms according to their criteria. The ratings range from A+ (highest) to f (lowest). 

So, if you are browsing car shipping companies, watch out for their rating, which is located below the company name. Businesses with NP or No Rating means that they haven’t rated yet because of insufficient information or it is still under ongoing review.

Now, we come to the most important part, the best car shipping rates. According to move.org, the best car shipping companies have rates that range from $900 to $1,290. When it comes to shipping rates to Hawaii, car shipping costs are higher than other or standard transport costs. 

Meanwhile, according to bhg.com, the shipping rates to Hawaii ranges between $1,500 and $2,100. However, this is only the price range of a regular vehicle; the shipping costs increase as the car gets bigger.

Finding the best car shipping rates can be a bit time-consuming. However, with the following, the process can be much faster and manageable:

• Use the BBB website

By using the BBB website in looking for a good transport service, you save half of your time. There you can find a comprehensive list that has passed their standards.

• Get a quick quote. 

Some car shipping companies offer instant quotes. Choose those who provide instant quotes and compare their pricing and services. Although a quick quote is only an estimated quote, what is essential is that you will get an idea or a ballpark figure.

Before you can get a quote, you are required to provide the needed information to calculate the cost of shipment. The information that you will provide varies from company to company, except for the most basic information such as:

• the vehicle model, operability, make and age
• the pick-up point and the destination
• preferred shipment schedule
• preferred shipment method: open transport, enclosed transport, door-to-door, terminal to terminal
• your contact details such as name, email, mobile number

• After getting the desired number of quotes, you can now choose the best deal for you. Note that costs should not be the only basis for selecting the best car shipping rates. Take extra attention to those who called you and ask additional questions.

Aside from an instant quote, some car shipping companies provide an online calculator where you can compute the costs of shipping.

The best car shipping rates should cover everything from pick-up point to destination and full insurance at reasonable costs.

It is a well-known fact that Hawaii has the most expensive cost of living among all other US states. It holds true also in the car shipping industry in Hawaii. Car shipping rates to Hawaii can cost you a fortune if you don’t know where to look. 



It is because some car transport services take advantage of your situation. Always find the best deal to prevent yourself from spending more than the required car shipping costs. When we say the best deal, it does not mean lower than the standard market costs, but rather, they are a transport service that charges reasonable price with the best possible service.