Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Houston, Texas to Honolulu, Hawaii

The cheapest way to ship a car to Hawaii is to drive it to a port on the West Coast and have it transported by a RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ship. This typically costs between $800 and $1,500.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

Yes, shipping a car to Hawaii is often worth it because mainland cars are significantly cheaper than cars in Hawaii (which cost 15-20% more due to high import costs), making the $1,000-$2,000+ shipping fee a potential saving, especially for reliable, newer vehicles; however, if your car is old or you prefer immediate island access, selling it and buying locally might be better, despite the higher local prices.