Unless you are traveling or shipping to/from Hawaii, you might have never had to think about how far it is, where it is, and just how it relates to service transport times. Although it is a state, its detached from Mainland USA, and across the Pacific. This adds an extra route to your initial ground delivery; and also adds extra days of travel. The entire process is one that calls for proper planning and patience.
Here is the breakdown of how the transit times work for auto shipping deliveries to and from the Hawaiian Islands:
Booking
Auto shipping to Hawaii follows the same general process as auto shipping elsewhere. When booking your shipment, You will need:
– An ID Card
-A booking reservation number provided by the shipping company of your choice
– Make sure your vehicle fits the standard dimensions of delivery
– Vehicle should be clean inside and out.
– Check with your shipping company if they allow personal belongings to be contained in the vehicle
-gas tank must be 1/4 of a tank of gas or less
– previously repair any chips or cracks on windshield
-ensure emergency brake works well
Delivery
Depending on where you are (the customer) it will take time to get a truck out to your location. This truck will then transport your vehicle to the main carrier ports located on the West Coast (mentioned below); and from there a carrier vessel ships them overseas to the Hawaiian ports (also mentioned below). You can deliver the car yourself if you live close enough to port.
It depends on the Carrier
There are two main companies that provide Ocean shipping to Hawaii: Matson and Pasha Hawaii. Each has its own transit schedule, rates, and Pacific port locations.
Matson
Matson carrier has US Mainland ports along the West Coast in Tacoma, WA, Los Angeles, CA, and Oakland, CA. Its Hawaiian ports are Honolulu, Kahului, Nawiliwili, Hilo.
Pasha Hawaii
Pasha Hawaii drop off/pick-up ports are located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland, CA. Pick-up/drop-off ports in Hawaii are located in Barbers Point, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahului, Lanai, Molokai, Nawiliwili. Pasha also offers residential pick-up/delivery service (for California customers only) for an additional rate.
Pasha offers its own transit time map on their website, Pashahawaii.com. The map gives estimates based on geographical locations. Shipment tracking is also often available through the shipping company.
Estimated Transit Times
One main point to know is there are no exact timing figures. Estimated delivery times vary widely and depend on factors, such as weather and vessel availability. Typically we are talking about 5-7days to/from the mainland West Coast. And about 3 weeks to/from the mainland East Coast (continental US). If you include land transport, the total process will average about 20-25 days.
Which carrier your vehicle will be shipped in depends on your location. West Coast customers shipping to Hawaii can choose between the two carriers and drop off their vehicle personally. If you are on the East Coast or any other city in the US, nationwide vehicle delivery is also available. Check your local auto shipping companies, chances are they work with one of these two carriers.
Sources
matson.com
pashahawaii.com
coastalautoshipping.com