7 Things to Consider With Hawaii Car Transport
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Thousands of people choose to relocate to Hawaii for the winter or permanently every year and who would blame them? It’s not known as The Aloha State for no reason.
This archipelago of eight main islands surrounded by 129 smaller ones in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is the closest we can get to paradise on Earth. It’s well-known for its 750 miles of spotless coastline dotted with volcanoes, an ancient culture that includes icons like the hula dance and lūʻaus, as well as its rich cuisine that gave us poke bowls.
Moving to any location is always going to be a challenge, even if it’s just a few hundred miles across state lines. However, when your final destination is several thousand miles out in the Pacific Ocean it requires careful preparation and lots of detailed planning.
You’ll be able to settle into your new island home much quicker and easier if you’ve got a car to get around. To save you from the hassle and expense of buying a new one in the Aloha State, you should choose to ship your car to Hawaii with the help of an auto transport management company like SGT Auto Transport.
Want to know more about Hawaii car transport? Keep reading!
Car transport to Hawaii - What are the options?
If a move to Hawaii is on the card sometime soon, you’ll be able to take your vehicle with you if you book Hawaii car shipping. Having your own car is more affordable and convenient but what are the options?
Ship your car to Hawaii with an auto transport management company
When it comes to car shipping to Hawaii, you have to get your vehicle to a port on the mainland. You could drive there yourself but that’s not necessarily the cheapest, fastest, and easiest thing to do. A much better option is to partner with the best car transport to Hawaii and let them take care of all the arrangements.
An auto transport company will pick your car up from your home on the mainland and deliver it directly to the port in Hawaii. All you need to worry about is being available to collect your car from the port.
Make your own arrangements
Your other option is to take care of everything yourself. You’ll have to drive your car to the port on the mainland and ship it directly by ferry. This requires a lot of organization, plenty of stress, the additional cost of accommodation, gas, food, and drinks, additional insurance, and added wear and tear on your car.
In addition, it will also take up a lot of your time. Driving across the US and then accompanying your car while it’s shipped across the ocean is going to take more than a couple of days.
How much does it cost to transport a car to Hawaii?
When a Hawaii car transport company calculates the cost of shipping your car to Hawaii, it takes several factors into account. These include:
- The distance between the pick-up and delivery locations
- Whether you’re shipping your car from a metropolitan or rural area
- The make and model of the car you want to ship and how old it is
- Whether the vehicle is running or not
- The time of year
- Supply and demand for your chosen route
As you might appreciate, it’s very difficult to give you an exact price for car shipping to Hawaii because everyone’s needs are different. However, if you want to know how much it will cost you, please get in touch for a tailored quote.
How long does car shipping to Hawaii take?
To get your car from the mainland to Hawaii means it has to cover a distance of more than 2,400 miles. A reasonable timeframe for this part of the journey is between one or two weeks. You’ve then got to factor in the time it takes to get your car from your home to a port on the mainland.
Tips on finding the best car transport to Hawaii
If you ever need to ship a car to Hawaii, it’s critical that you find the best car transport company to deliver the service.
Some of the things you need to consider include:
- Customer reviews: Always check out a company’s reputation online. You can use Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau, Transportreviews.com, and Trustpilot. Also, ask for references and ask around for references.
- Make sure the company is licensed and authorized by the FMCSA.
- Look for a company with years of Hawaii car shipping experience
- Make sure the auto transport company provides cargo insurance
Hawaii car shipping documentation
The rules for shipping a car from the mainland to Hawaii are very straightforward. No extra paperwork is needed. All you’ve got to worry about is applying for an out-of-state permit if you’re staying for an extended period. For those who are moving to Hawaii permanently, you must register your vehicle within 30 days.
Can you ship a car to Hawaii with stuff in it?
Shipping your car with some of your personal items in it might seem like a great way to save a few bucks. However, you run the risk of having to reschedule your shipment or be left stranded at the port with boxes of possessions you don’t know what to do with. Shipping a car to Hawaii with stuff in it is strictly forbidden.
Getting your car ready for Hawaii car transport
There are a few things you can do to get your vehicle ready for shipping. For example:
- Remove all personal items: All personal items must be removed from your vehicle before you ship it to Hawaii. The only items allowed in your car are a spare tire, a jack, jumper cables, floor mats, and infant car seats.
- Fuel: You must run the gas tank down to a maximum of one-quarter full.
- Clean the inside and outside of the vehicle: While you’re cleaning your car, make a note of its condition. Take photographs of any dings, dents, or scratches, for future reference.
- Check your vehicle: It’s not possible to ship a vehicle to Hawaii if it’s inoperable. Check your car is mechanically sound, and check and repair any leaking fluids. In addition, the emergency brake must be operational, the windows must be intact, and the wheels move.
- Alarms: Disconnect all alarms.
If you ever need to ship a car or cars to Hawaii from the mainland, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at SGT Auto Transport. We have years of Hawaii car shipping experience and plenty of satisfied customers. You can get an instant quote online or speak directly with our shipping advisors on (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
