California to Hawaii Motorcycle Shipping At a Glance
| How It Moves | Truck to a California port, then ship to Honolulu, Kahului or Hilo |
| Approximate Distance | Open Pacific crossing, plus the truck leg to the port |
| Estimated Transit Time | About 10-21 days from pickup to availability |
| Popular Pickup Cities | Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento |
| Popular Delivery Cities | Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo |
| Transport Options | Open or crated, port to port or door-to-door |
| Reverse Route | Hawaii to California |
| Phone Quotes | 1-800-590-6492, answered 24 hours a day |
California to Hawaii Motorcycle Shipping Rates by Bike Type
A mileage rule does not work for the Pacific, so the table below uses broker ranges and says to ask where I could not find a real number. One broker page lists about $900 to $1,800 for the state as a whole. It puts Honolulu near $1,000 to $1,500, Hilo at $700 to $1,500 and Maui at $800 to $2,200. One ocean carrier lists motorcycle service starting at $660, plus $100 if the bike needs a shipping skid.
Those figures do not line up neatly, because they come from different services. Some cover port to port, with you dropping the bike at one terminal and collecting it at another. Others include the truck leg at your door. Ask every carrier which one the quote is.
The bike changes the number. Crating adds roughly $150 to $400. A trike or sidecar rig adds $150 to $300, and a heavy touring bike often adds $50 to $100. A bike that does not run needs a winch at each end, so say so when you ask for quotes.
Delivery to a neighbor island adds a second sailing and a second set of fees. Read the quote closely for whose job the last leg is. The general shipping rates page and our money-saving tips cover ways to cut the bill.
| What Changes the Price | Open or Standard (Est.) | Crated or Enclosed (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cruiser or Sport Bike | About $1,000 to $1,500 to Honolulu | Ask the carrier |
| Touring / Dresser | Often $50 to $100 more | Ask the carrier |
| Crated Bike | Crating adds roughly $150 to $400 | Ask the carrier |
| Trike or Sidecar Rig | Usually adds $150 to $300 | Ask the carrier |
Average Cost & Time to Ship from California to Hawaii
Hawaii lanes do not have a per-mile price. The table shows broker ranges where a source gave one and says to ask for a quote where none did.
| Route | How It Moves | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Honolulu, HI | Truck leg, then sea leg | 10-21 days | $1,000 - $1,500* | Get Quote |
| San Francisco, CA to Hilo, HI | Truck leg, then sea leg | 10-21 days | $700 - $1,500* | Get Quote |
| San Diego, CA to Kahului, HI | Truck leg, then sea leg | 10-21 days | $800 - $2,200* | Get Quote |
*Price ranges come from broker pages checked in October 2026. Prices are estimates only and will vary based on your motorcycle, pickup and delivery locations, transport type, and time of year. Complete the form at the top of this page or call 1-800-590-6492 to get free, no-obligation quotes from licensed carriers so you can compare real prices for your exact route before you book.
Truck, Port, Ship: How a Bike Gets to Hawaii
A move has three parts. A truck picks the bike up and takes it to a California port. A ship carries it across the Pacific to Honolulu, Kahului or Hilo. Then you or a carrier collect it at the terminal, or a driver brings it to your address if you paid for that. The sailing is the short part, about 5 to 7 days. Terminal processing, the wait for the next ship and unloading stretch the whole trip to the 10 to 21 days that broker pages quote.
Which ship line takes a motorcycle is not obvious, and it affects your plan. Matson's own FAQ says it does not ship motorcycles and sends you to a freight forwarder. Pasha Hawaii does list motorcycles, but its terminal page says only its San Diego terminal in California takes them. Its Los Angeles and Oakland terminals do not. A carrier in our network knows which terminal and sailing fits your bike, so ask before you plan a drop-off.
Every bike needs an appointment at the terminal. The ship line wants the bike clean, with attention to the engine, tires, fender wells and underside, and one line says it will not accept a bike that fails USDA cleaning rules. Allow a day or two for the wash before the drop-off.
Registration comes after the bike lands. Hawaii has no statewide DMV, and counties register out-of-state bikes. Hawaii County lists a current Hawaii safety inspection, the last-issued out-of-state registration and a bill of lading or shipping receipt among its requirements, plus Form G-27 for newer model years. Keep the shipping paperwork. The links at the bottom of this page cover your county.
How Quotes Work When You Ship a Motorcycle to Hawaii
You don't have to call company after company. One request goes out to the carriers that run this route, and the offers come back to you.
1. Send one request
Fill out the quote form at the top of this page, or call 1-800-590-6492 any hour of the day. Give us your pickup and delivery cities, the year, make and model of your bike, and the date you want it picked up.
2. Carriers respond
We pass your request to carriers that run the California to Hawaii route. You can receive up to ten free quotes without calling them one at a time.
3. Compare the offers
Look at price, pickup date, and whether the carrier offers open or enclosed transport. You can look up any company you're considering on the FMCSA SAFER system.
4. Choose your company
You pick the company you want to work with. Ask that company about its insurance coverage, deposit, and payment terms before you commit.
How Your Motorcycle Is Loaded and Secured for the Trip
A good driver loads a motorcycle upright. The front wheel goes into a chock so it can't move, and soft straps go around solid points like the frame or the lower triple clamp. The straps are tightened enough to hold the bike but not so much that they bottom out the forks. Hooks stay off your bars, levers and paint.
Over water, how the bike is secured matters more than on a normal truck run. One ocean carrier lashes each bike with at least four straps in front and two behind, and inspects it before, during and after loading. That is not the same as a crate or container, which costs more and protects more. Before the bike goes on the truck, read the condition report line by line with the driver. Keep it with your own dated photos, since those are your record of how the bike left California and how it should look in Hawaii.
California to Hawaii Motorcycle Shipping Challenges & Tips
Hawaii adds ocean rules to the usual ones. A few habits keep the move on schedule.
Sailing Schedules
A bike that misses a ship waits for the next one. Ask each carrier how firm the drop-off appointment is and what happens if the truck is late.
Agricultural Cleaning
Ship lines can turn away a bike that is not clean enough. The engine, tires, fender wells and underside are where inspectors look.
Neighbor Islands
A quote to Honolulu does not always cover the last leg to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island. Ask who handles it and whether it is in the price.
Tip: Wash It a Day or Two Early
Do the full wash before the drop-off, empty the saddlebags and carry the keys for the ignition and any locked compartment. One major line wants at least a quarter tank of fuel, so ask the carrier what it requires.
Tip: Start Three or Four Weeks Ahead
Quotes are free and ships do not wait. Three or four weeks gives room for a terminal appointment and a wash.
Tip: Prepare Your Motorcycle
Wash the bike properly, take off soft bags and phone mounts, and ask the carrier what fuel level and battery rules its terminal wants. Turn off the alarm, take dated photos of every side and write down any leaks. Our guide to preparing a motorcycle for transport has the full checklist.
California to Hawaii Motorcycle Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from California to Hawaii?
The sailing takes about 5 to 7 days. Counting pickup, terminal processing and unloading, one broker page gives 10 to 21 days. Add time if the bike is crated or going to a neighbor island, and ask each carrier for its own estimate.
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to Hawaii from California?
One broker page lists about $900 to $1,800 for the state. It puts Honolulu near $1,000 to $1,500, Hilo at $700 to $1,500 and Maui at $800 to $2,200. Crating and neighbor-island delivery add more. Compare several real quotes.
Which California port do motorcycles use?
It depends on the ship line. Matson says on its FAQ that it does not ship motorcycles. Pasha Hawaii takes them, and its terminal page lists only the San Diego terminal as accepting motorcycles in California. Ask the carrier which port your bike goes through.
Do I need to register my motorcycle in Hawaii after it arrives?
Yes, with your county. Hawaii County, for one, asks for a safety inspection certificate, your out-of-state registration and the shipping receipt. Check your own county before the bike lands.
Can I ship to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island?
Yes. Honolulu has the biggest port, and Kahului and Hilo serve Maui and the Big Island. Tell each carrier your island so the quote covers the last leg.
How should I prepare my motorcycle for shipping from California to Hawaii?
Wash it well, especially the engine, tires and underside, and remove saddlebag contents. Take dated photos from every side, note any leaks, and ask the carrier what fuel level it needs. Tell the dispatcher if the bike does not run.
Can I ride my motorcycle from California to Hawaii?
No. The only way across the Pacific is by ship or plane. If you want to ride in Hawaii, shipping the bike and flying yourself is the usual plan.
Do I need to crate my motorcycle for this trip?
Not always. Some ship lines strap bikes to the deck without a crate, and a crate adds roughly $150 to $400. A show bike or rare machine is the usual reason to pay for one. Ask carriers what they offer.
Is door-to-door motorcycle delivery available from California to Hawaii?
On the mainland end, usually yes, with a driver coming to your address. On the island end it depends on the quote, and some are port to port only. Ask each carrier which one the price covers.
Can I call for a quote at any hour?
Yes, at any hour. Call 1-800-590-6492, or send the form at the top of this page to see up to ten quotes from carriers.
For more questions about motorcycle shipping, visit our Motorcycle Shipping FAQ page. Choosing a company? Read questions to ask your motorcycle shipping company first.
More Routes from California
- Hawaii to California Motorcycle ShippingShipping the bike back the other way.
- California to Idaho Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Indiana Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Iowa Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Kansas Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Kentucky Motorcycle Shipping
Related Guides
- How to Ship a MotorcycleThe full process from quote to delivery.
- How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Shipping ServiceWhat to compare before you book.
- Benefits of Using a Motorcycle Delivery ServiceWhy shipping beats riding or trailering it yourself.
Helpful Links
- FMCSA SAFER SystemVerify a carrier's license and insurance status.
- California Traffic InformationRoad conditions and closures near your pickup.
- Hawaii County, Transfer an Out-of-State RegistrationWhat the Big Island requires for a bike shipped from the mainland.
- Pasha Hawaii Vehicle TerminalsWhich California terminals take motorcycles.
Call now, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the quote form on this page to find California to Hawaii motorcycle shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.