Inter-island car shipping involves moving a car between two islands, so it’s similar to any other type of international or overseas shipping. Typically, inter-island shipping refers to transporting vehicles between islands in Hawaii but it can also apply to other regions.
That said, the distance is usually shorter and there may be some variations in shipping methods for this reason. Before you decide to move your vehicle between islands, it’s always a good idea to know how much the process might cost.
While inter-island car shipping costs can get complicated because they’re influenced by factors like distance and vehicle type, this article has you covered. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is Inter-Island Car Shipping
Inter-island shipping involves shipping a car from one island to another. The most common use of Inter-island shipping is moving cars to different parts of the Hawaiian islands. However, there are some niche applications in other regions as well. That said, most inter-island shipping references tend to focus on Hawaii and the process of moving cars between islands. This is because Hawaii has a lot of different small islands to live on and they’re mostly car-friendly; you just have to get your vehicle there.
How Much Does Inter-Island Car Shipping Cost?
If you’re looking at inter-island shipping for a place like Hawaii, expect to pay around $450 to $1,000 depending on the vehicle and the island you need the vehicle sent to.
For example, if you ship a small Toyota Camry from Maui to Oahu it should only cost you around $450 to $500. On the other hand, shipping a heavy Ford F-250 Super Duty diesel truck can cost you more than $1,000 due to the size and weight of the vehicle.
Factors that Influence Inter-Island Car Shipping Costs
There are a lot of factors that impact inter-island car shipping costs. These factors tend to include the distance, type of vehicle, and even the time of year. We cover each factor in more detail below.
Season
When you’re moving vehicles between islands the season plays a role as it can impact currents, climate, and even fuel prices. That said, when it comes to inter-island shipping costs for places like Hawaii, you’ll find that it tends to cost more in the summer.
This is due to Hawaii being busier in the summer. As most islands are busier in the summer this also applies to most inter-island shipping situations.
Vehicle Size
The size of your vehicle is one of the biggest factors when it comes to inter-island shipping costs. Typically, bigger vehicles cost more to ship because they weigh more. Bigger vehicles also tend to take up more space on carriers and boats, so that can also influence the cost.
Unfortunately, some vehicles may also be too big for Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping methods. This can drive up the cost because the vehicle will be loaded into a container.
Shipping Method
The shipping method you choose will also influence the cost of Inter-island shipping. Roll-on roll-off shipping (RoRo) is often the lesser method because it doesn’t always involve containers and may leave your vehicle exposed to the elements.
Fortunately, islands like Hawaii don’t have great distances between them, so you’ll find that it shouldn’t matter too much. That said, using containers will increase the cost but can be worth it if you’re transporting a luxury vehicle.
Distance
While it’s not as important as a factor compared to international shipping, the distance you’re moving a vehicle between islands impacts the cost. Typically, the longer the distance the higher the cost. That said, you may notice that the shipping cost per mile goes down when you add more miles, but it still typically costs more to ship your vehicle over greater distances.
Keep Inter-State Car Shipping Costs Low with a Moving Calculator
The greatest way to keep inter-state moving costs low is to have a plan before the move. We always recommend using a moving cost calculator (like this one) because it can help you plan out the cost of your move before you begin the process.
If you know what to expect before you even look for quotes, it can help you get good value. Plus, many calculators let you add factors like the type of vehicle and season to ensure that you know what you’re getting into right away.
