Virginia to Hawaii Auto Transport Shipping
No car carrier can drive to Hawaii, so your car makes the trip in two parts. First, a truck drives it about 2,630 to 2,740 miles across the country to the Port of Long Beach, California. From there, Matson ships it to Honolulu. Pearl City, Kailua and Waipahu are on Oahu, a short drive from the Honolulu docks, while cars for Hilo continue by barge to the Big Island. Virginia 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 go over dates and pickup details. For more information about shipping to the destination, visit our Hawaii Auto Transport page.
Virginia to Hawaii Auto Transport At a Glance
| Primary Transport Corridors | Truck to Long Beach, California, then ship to Hawaii |
| Approximate Distance | ~2,630-2,740 road miles to Long Beach, plus the sea voyage |
| Estimated Transit Time | 3-8 Weeks |
| Popular Origin Cities | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington |
| Popular Destination Cities | Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Kailua, Waipahu |
Virginia to Hawaii Auto Transport Shipping Rates
Most quotes from Virginia to Hawaii run about $3,100 to $4,875 for a standard car, which makes it one of the most expensive routes from Virginia. That covers a truck trip of about 2,630 to 2,740 miles plus the sailing. Matson's published price from Long Beach is $1,790 to Honolulu and $2,600 to Hilo, Kahului or Nawiliwili.
For prices based on your actual 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 barge from Honolulu. 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. A car that doesn't run adds about $150 to $300 on the truck leg. 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 has suspended EVs on its ships.
The ships sail all year, so the sea leg is rarely the holdup. Winter snow can slow the truck in the mountains out West, and summer is the busiest moving season for Hawaii, so book the sailing early. Read more about seasonal auto transport prices.
Average Cost & Time to Ship from Virginia to Hawaii
Distances below are road miles from Virginia to the Port of Long Beach, California. The trip by sea 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Honolulu, HI | ~2,735 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $3,150 - $4,100 | Get Quote |
| Norfolk, VA to Pearl City, HI | ~2,720 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $3,150 - $4,075 | Get Quote |
| Chesapeake, VA to Hilo, HI | ~2,695 mi | 6-8 Weeks | $3,950 - $4,875 | Get Quote |
| Richmond, VA to Kailua, HI | ~2,630 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $3,100 - $4,025 | Get Quote |
| Arlington, VA to Waipahu, HI | ~2,660 mi | 3-5 Weeks | $3,125 - $4,050 | 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.
Virginia to Hawaii Auto Transport Challenges & Tips
Shipping a car from Virginia to Hawaii is a long trip with two very different legs: a truck across the whole country and a ship across the Pacific. Most delays come from lining the two up, and from the extra barge to the outer islands. Here's what to plan for.
Electric Cars Are Hard to Ship
Matson has suspended new and used electric cars and plug-in hybrids on its ships. If you drive an EV or plug-in hybrid, call us before you book so we can talk through your options.
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.
A Coast-to-Coast Truck Trip First
Before your car ever reaches a ship, it rides a truck about 2,700 miles to Long Beach. That leg alone usually takes 7 to 10 days, and a late truck can mean waiting for the next sailing.
Tip: Clean It and Empty It
Ships to Hawaii want cars clean and empty, and Hawaii is strict about invasive species, so wash off any mud or soil before pickup. Ship the car with no personal items unless your carrier agrees in advance.
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.
Virginia to Hawaii Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions
Plan on about 3 to 5 weeks to Oahu and 6 to 8 weeks to the other islands. The truck trip to Long Beach takes about 7 to 10 days, and Matson says its crossing from the mainland to Honolulu averages 9 to 24 days. Cars for Hilo, Maui and Kauai add a barge ride from Honolulu.
A car carrier drives it to the Port of Long Beach in Southern California. Matson then ships it to Honolulu, and cars for the other islands ride a barge from there. You pick the car up at the port on the island you are moving to.
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
It is difficult right now, because Matson has suspended EVs and plug-in hybrids on its ships. Call us before booking an EV so we can go over what is possible.
For more frequently asked questions about auto transport, visit our Auto Transport FAQs page.
Other Routes
- Hawaii to Virginia Auto Transport
- Virginia to Iowa Auto Transport
- Virginia to Kansas Auto Transport
- Virginia to Kentucky Auto Transport
- Virginia to Louisiana Auto Transport
- Virginia to Maine 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. - Virginia Traffic Information
Federal Highway Administration links to Virginia road conditions, traffic alerts and construction updates. - Virginia 511: Virginia Road Conditions
The Virginia Department of Transportation's live map of crashes, work zones, closures and traffic cameras on Virginia highways. - AccuWeather Hawaii
Forecasts for your delivery city, so you know if storms might slow the last leg of the trip. - AccuWeather Virginia
Check the forecast for your pickup date, since snow in the mountains and storms on the coast can affect pickup plans.
Call now at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the form on this page to find the best Virginia to Hawaii auto shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.