Thousands of people move between the mainland and Hawaii every year. You may be wondering how they get their cars back and forth.
Car shipping can come in handy when you’re moving, but there are a few things you need to know. Moving to another state is a stressful process and getting your car there is another task you have to think about. Your vehicle is an investment and you want to be sure it gets to your destination in one piece and without damage.
If you’re getting ready to move and need to ship your car to Hawaii, you’ve come to the right place. We are going to tell you everything you need to know about how long Hawaii shipping takes.
Distance
The distance that your vehicle has to travel is going to be the biggest component. It’s likely that you can control the distance, if you live in New York, you aren’t going to want to drive your car to California for a short transport time.
It’s important that you make other arrangements since you could be without your car for a while. If you’re shipping from the east coast it is going to take longer than if you’re sending it out from the west coast.
You can expect your car to take between eight and twenty days to arrive. This includes five to eight days of sailing and three to four days of loading and unloading.
Demand
Demand is one of the biggest factors that can change how long it takes to ship your car. If many people are trying to ship their vehicles to Hawaii, it will take longer for your car to get on a transport ship.
To avoid higher prices and longer wait times, ship your car during a slow season. Typically people move in the summer months, so if you can wait until winter time, you may be able to decrease the amount of time it takes.
Weather
The weather is another factor that will affect how long it takes to ship your car to Hawaii. Unfortunately, bad weather can occur at any time and without warning. A bad storm can slow down transport and push back arrival times.
If you’re tracking your vehicle, check the wind speed and the rainfall. This will give you a better idea as to when your car will arrive.
Urgency
It’s best if you schedule your car transportation early. The more time you give the shipping company, the better. If you wait until the last minute, not only will it cost more, but it will also take longer.
If you’re rushing to get the vehicle over to Hawaii, the shipping company may not be able to put your car on the most direct route. The ship may have to make a few stops that could’ve been avoided if it was scheduled in advance.
Transport Type
When shipping a car, you have a few options when it comes to transport type. You can choose the port-to-port option, which will be the fastest. You will need to drop your car off at the port and pick it up at the destination.
If you want to have your vehicle picked up at your house and dropped off at a specific location, then you’ll opt for door-to-door transport. This will extend the length of the trip as the car will have to be unloaded from the ship and placed on a trailer to then be driven to your house.
Type Of Vehicle
It may not seem relevant, but the time of the car you own makes a difference in the shipping time. If you have a small or medium-sized car, you don’t have much to worry about.
It will likely fit on most, if not all the transports available. However, if you have a longer truck or even a car with a trailer, you may have to wait a little bit for a transport that can hold it.
The same goes for the load and unloading methods. It will take longer and require more resources for a company to load your vehicle if it is large/difficult to move.
Is Hawaii Shipping Worth It
Shipping your car has its pros and cons. It can be expensive to ship your car to Hawaii from the mainland. It also takes a long time so it can be inconvenient to be without a car that long if you’re used to using it every day.
However, if you plan on staying in Hawaii for a while, it will be worth it. You won’t have to worry about selling your car and purchasing a new one when you get to town.
While it can be inconvenient to be without your vehicle for a few weeks, it can also be helpful to have your car delivered to your door. If you’re looking for a property to purchase, the last thing you want to do is find a car to buy.
Reputable Company
It’s important when you’re shipping a car to Hawaii that you work with a reputable company. This will ensure your car is protected and will decrease your stress.
A good company will give you realistic expectations. They won’t lie about how long it will take to ship your car to Hawaii. Be sure to ask if they have a tracking system available so you can see where your car is at all times.
Ship Your Car To Hawaii
When you ship your car to Hawaii, it’s important that you understand how long it’s going to take. If you plan to arrive in Hawaii before your car, be sure to make other arrangements until it gets there.
If you’re ready to ship your car, contact us for an estimate. We can also answer any questions you may have and give you a realistic timeline.