We offer two easily accessible ports in California – the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland – and four in Hawaii – the Ports of Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Hilo – with all vehicles passing through Honolulu on their way to or from the outer islands. And because we ship exclusively with Matson, we are able to secure exclusive, lower rates than the general public. So take a minute to learn about shipping a car from Hawaii to California with American Auto Transport.

Vehicle Preparation

American Auto Transport also will pick up your vehicle and transport it to and from the selected port(s), eliminating the need for you to have to struggle with such logistics. Prior to pick-up, you will need to ensure that the car or truck:

• Is thoroughly cleaned
• Has intact – no cracks or breaks – windshield and windows
• Is in fully operable condition
• Has a fully functional emergency brake
• Has less than 1/4 of a tank of gas

Absolutely no personal items are allowed to remain within the vehicle; the only items that can remain are the Owner’s Manual, a tire jack, and the spare tire. Subwoofers are allowed if they are bolted to the vehicle and the same applies to a roof rack. Car seats for infants and children may remain in the car or truck during transport, but they must be properly secured within the vehicle. You must also remove fire extinguishers and propane tanks.

Matson Reservation Information

To ship a car from Hawaii to California, we will need the following information to secure a reservation through Matson, at our exclusive, discounted shipping rates:

• Vehicle Year, Make, Model, and Color
• Vehicle Identification Number / VIN
• License Plate Number
• The Name and Contact Number(s) of the Owner and Person who will be dropping off the vehicle at the port.

Port Paperwork Requirements

Leaving the Mainland

The following documents are required when dropping off a vehicle to be shipped from the mainland to Hawaii:

• The Matson Shipping / Booking Number
• Government-Issued Photo Identification
• Document showing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of car or truck being shipped, such as the Title, Registration, or Insurance Card

Note that the person delivering the vehicle to the Port MUST BE listed on the Matson Booking Number. Also, if the person dropping off the vehicle is not the legal owner of the vehicle, they must provide a notarized letter from the owner/person who is on the vehicle’s title, to Matson, stating that they have permission to drop off the vehicle for shipping.

Leaving Hawaii

The following documents are required when dropping off a vehicle to be shipped from Hawaii to the mainland:

• The Matson Shipping / Booking Number
• Government-Issued Photo Identification
• Lien Letter from the Bank or Title
• Current Registration Form (regardless of issuing state)

The person dropping the vehicle off at the Port MUST BE listed on the Matson Booking Number. Additionally, if the person who is dropping off the vehicle at the Port is not the person whose name is on the vehicle’s title, then the registered owner must provide a notarized letter, written to Matson, permitting for the vehicle to be dropped off at the Port. And, anyone who has an interest in the vehicle – the driver, owner, or the bank who owns the lien on the truck or car – must give their written authority to ship the vehicle from Hawaii to the mainland.

Ports & Shipping Information

From the Mainland

• Shipping from the Port of Long Beach: The ship leaves every Saturday
• Shipping from the Port of Oakland: The ship leaves every Thursday
• The time of transit from the mainland to Hawaii is usually between 10 and 12 days
• Once the vehicle has arrived in Hawaii, at the destination port, an American Auto Transport representative will pick up and deliver the vehicle to the agreed-upon location.

From Hawaii

• All vehicles being shipped from Hawaii to the mainland are transported by barge from the outer islands to the Port of Honolulu
• Shipping from the Port of Honolulu to the Port of Long Beach: The ship leaves every Saturday
• Shipping from the Port of Honolulu to the Port of Oakland: The ship leaves every Thursday
• The time of transit from Hawaii to the mainland is usually between 17 and 21 days
• Matson will notify American Auto Transport once the vehicle has arrived on the mainland; American Auto Transport will then arrange to have the vehicle picked up and transported to Texas.

At American Auto Transport, we’ve shipped cars from Hawaii to California countless times; our service is timely, affordable, and insured. Offering free quotes with absolutely no obligation, American Auto Transport is your best choice when shipping a car from Hawaii to California. Go ahead – contact us today at (866) 327-7863 for more information on Hawaii to California auto transport.