Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport Shipping
Cars don't ship from Tennessee to Hawaii directly. A car carrier first drives your car west on I-40 to a California port, usually Long Beach, which is about 1,805 to 2,200 miles from Tennessee. There it goes on a ship to Honolulu. Pearl City, Kailua and Waipahu are all on Oahu, a short drive from the Honolulu docks. Cars for Hilo on the Big Island, or for Maui and Kauai, are unloaded in Honolulu and then ride a barge to the other islands, which adds several weeks. Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport usually takes 3 to 5 weeks to Oahu and 6 to 8 weeks to the other islands. Auto transport rates can vary a lot between carriers, which is why getting several quotes matters. We provide up to 10 free quotes from our network of licensed, insured carriers, so you can compare pricing, transit times, and service options before you decide. Fill out the quote form on this page to compare offers, or call 1-800-590-6492 to talk through the truck and ship legs. For more information about shipping to the destination, visit our Hawaii Auto Transport page.
Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport At a Glance
| Primary Transport Corridors | I-40 to Long Beach, then by ship |
| Approximate Distance | ~1,805-2,200 road miles to the port, plus the ocean crossing |
| Estimated Transit Time | 3-8 Weeks |
| Popular Origin Cities | Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville |
| Popular Destination Cities | Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Kailua, Waipahu |
Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport Shipping Rates
Most quotes from Tennessee to Hawaii run about $2,800 to $4,575 for a standard car. That covers the truck trip to California and the ocean crossing. Matson's published price for the ship alone, from Long Beach or Oakland, is $1,790 to Honolulu and $2,600 to Hilo, Kahului or Nawiliwili.
For prices based on your car and dates, request your free quotes here and compare carriers side by side.
Oahu is the cheapest and fastest island to reach, because the ships unload in Honolulu. The other islands cost more and take longer because of the extra barge trip. Matson charges the same ocean price for any regular passenger car, but vehicles longer than 21 feet 8 inches, wider than 8 feet or taller than 7 feet need a special quote. Our guide to what affects your auto transport quote covers the rest. Shipping an electric car or plug-in hybrid? Complete the form on this page or call 1-800-590-6492 before you book, because Matson no longer carries them.
The ocean leg runs all year, so most delays happen on the truck trip west. Winter storms on I-40 near Flagstaff can hold a carrier for a day before your car reaches the port. Read more about seasonal auto transport prices.
Average Cost & Time to Ship from Tennessee to Hawaii
Distances below are road miles from Tennessee to the Port of Long Beach. The ocean crossing to Hawaii is extra. Prices fluctuate with carrier availability, fuel costs, and seasonal demand. Use our quote form for real-time pricing tailored to your specific vehicle, dates, and cities.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Honolulu, HI | ~2,020 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $2,875 - $3,650 | Get Quote |
| Memphis, TN to Pearl City, HI | ~1,805 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $2,800 - $3,525 | Get Quote |
| Knoxville, TN to Hilo, HI | ~2,200 mi | 6-8 Weeks | $3,750 - $4,575 | Get Quote |
| Chattanooga, TN to Kailua, HI | ~2,145 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $2,925 - $3,725 | Get Quote |
| Clarksville, TN to Waipahu, HI | ~2,010 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $2,875 - $3,650 | Get Quote |
*Price estimates were updated in October 2026. Prices are estimates only and will vary based on your specific vehicle, pickup and delivery locations, transport type, and time of year. Complete the form above or call 1‑800‑590‑6492 to receive up to ten free, no-obligation quotes from licensed carriers, so you can compare real prices for your exact route before you book.
Moving to Hawaii? The truck and the ship both need to be booked, so start early. Compare free quotes now or call 1-800-590-6492.
Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport Challenges & Tips
Shipping a vehicle from Tennessee to Hawaii comes with specific considerations. Here's what you need to know before booking:
Electric Cars and Matson
Matson, the biggest shipper to Hawaii, stopped accepting electric cars and plug-in hybrids in July 2025 because of battery fire risk. Regular hybrids without lithium batteries are still accepted. Pasha Hawaii was still carrying EVs as of mid-2025, so call us first if you drive one.
Long Waits for the Outer Islands
Matson says cars for Hilo, Kahului and Nawiliwili take 33 to 45 days from the mainland sailing, because they ride a monthly barge from Honolulu. Plan around that if you are moving to the Big Island, Maui or Kauai.
Winter on the Way West
The truck trip to California climbs to about 7,000 feet near Flagstaff on I-40. From November through March, snow there can hold a carrier for a day before it reaches the port.
Tip: Clean It and Empty It
Ships to Hawaii want cars clean and empty. Pasha, for example, asks for no more than a quarter tank of gas and removal of all loose personal items, including car covers and spare keys. Hawaii is strict about invasive species, so wash off any mud or soil.
Tip: Register Within 30 Days in Hawaii
On Oahu, a car shipped from the mainland needs Hawaii registration or an out-of-state permit within 30 days of arrival. Get a safety inspection first, then bring your out-of-state registration, the shipping bill of lading showing the VIN and the inspection form to a city registration office.
Tip: Prepare Your Vehicle Properly
Clean your car and remove personal items before pickup. Take date-stamped photos from every side, keep the gas tank at a quarter full or less, and check tire pressure. For a full checklist, read our article on Preparing Your Car for Transport.
Still deciding? Call 1-800-590-6492 and we can go over dates and costs, or get up to 10 free quotes in a few minutes.
Tennessee to Hawaii Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions
Plan on about 3 to 5 weeks to Oahu. The truck trip to California takes about 5 to 8 days, and Matson says the ocean crossing to Honolulu averages 9 to 24 days. Cars for Hilo, Maui or Kauai can take 6 to 8 weeks in total because of the barge trip from Honolulu.
From California. A car carrier drives it from Tennessee to Long Beach, and it sails to Honolulu from there. Shipping lines to Hawaii sail from the West Coast.
Not with Matson. Matson suspended new and used electric cars and plug-in hybrids in 2025, though it still takes regular hybrids without lithium batteries. Pasha Hawaii was still carrying EVs as of mid-2025. Call us before you book so we can check current options.
On Oahu, you have 30 days from arrival to register the car or get an out-of-state permit. Take it for a Hawaii safety inspection, then bring your out-of-state registration, the shipping bill of lading with the VIN and the inspection form to a city registration office. Navy Region Hawaii: Vehicle Registration on Oahu
For more frequently asked questions about auto transport, visit our Auto Transport FAQs page.
More Routes from Tennessee
Shipping a car the other direction? See our Hawaii to Tennessee Auto Transport page.
- Tennessee to Texas Auto Transport
- Tennessee to Louisiana Auto Transport
- Tennessee to California Auto Transport
- Tennessee to New Jersey Auto Transport
Helpful Links
- FMCSA SAFER System: Check a Carrier
Look up any carrier's federal operating authority, insurance on file and safety record before you book. - Hawaii Traffic Information
Federal Highway Administration links to Hawaii road conditions, traffic alerts and construction updates. - Tennessee Traffic Information
Federal Highway Administration links to Tennessee road conditions, traffic alerts and construction updates. - TDOT SmartWay: Tennessee Road Conditions
The Tennessee Department of Transportation's live map of crashes, work zones and traffic cameras on Tennessee interstates. - AccuWeather Hawaii
Forecasts for your delivery city, so you know if storms might slow the last leg of the trip. - AccuWeather Tennessee
Check the forecast for your pickup date, since spring storms and winter ice can push pickups back.
Call now at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the form on this page to find the best Tennessee to Hawaii auto shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.