Trip from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

17m

Distance

8.2 mi

13 km

Drive Score

5/10

Practical drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM

0h 16m ★

6 AM

0h 17m

8 AM

0h 20m

10 AM

0h 18m

12 PM

0h 18m

3 PM

0h 18m

5 PM

0h 20m

8 PM

0h 16m ★

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Trip Overview

Traveling from Lihue to Kapa‘a is a quick 8.2-mile journey that typically takes about 17 minutes. This route is best suited as a short day trip, making it an easy transition between these two prominent areas in Hawaii. You will primarily utilize HI 56 and Kuhio Highway to navigate the distance. With a fuel cost of just $2, this drive is highly budget-friendly for any traveler. Because the trip is so brief, you will not need to plan for overnight stays, allowing you to focus your time on your destination. It serves as a straightforward connection between two hubs on the island.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

4.1 miles from Lihue, HI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of this drive takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on HI 56, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 5.7 miles. The transition from the town environment of Lihue onto the Kuhio Highway provides a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. Navigating through Oxford Street helps you finalize your arrival into Kapa‘a. The drive maintains a functional, efficient character that prioritizes direct travel over winding backroads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 6 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Oxford Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI is easy. At 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Oxford Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
Kuhio Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
Kauwila Street	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Oxford Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lihue, HI and Kapa‘a, HI.

1

Start on Fujii Street

364 ft · 18 sec · Fujii Street

2

Turn right onto Oxford Street

0.2 mi · 59 sec · Oxford Street

3

At the end of the road, turn left onto Kuhio Highway

2.2 mi · 4 min · Kuhio Highway

4

Turn left

5.7 mi · 11 min

5

Turn left onto Kauwila Street

95 ft · 5 sec · Kauwila Street

6

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 8.2-mile drive, you have significant flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the trip in one go, as no stops are required to reach your destination. While the fuel cost is a modest $2, ensure your tank is ready for your subsequent island explorations once you arrive. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when merging onto HI 56, as this highway serves as a primary artery for local commuters. Utilizing the 17-minute travel time to plan your arrival in Kapa‘a will help you make the most of your day.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 4.1 miles from Lihue, HI, or about 8m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 8.2 miles or 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 4.1 miles or 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kapa‘a, HI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lihue, HI so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lihue, HI

This is one driving day of about 8.2 miles and 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lihue, HI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 4.1 mi from Lihue, HI · 8m into the drive

census-designated place in Hawaii, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mākaha, HI

4 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Mākaha, HI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 8.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mākaha, HI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 4.1 miles from Lihue, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kapa‘a, HI

The final approach into Kapa‘a, HI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kapa‘a, HI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.78 one way

$3.55 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 3 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$1.87	$3.74
premium	$5.98	$1.93	$3.86
diesel	$5.61	$1.81	$3.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	2.5	$0.86	$0.39
Efficient EV	2.1	$0.72	$0.33
EV Truck/SUV	3.3	$1.15	$0.52

Gas CO2

3 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Lihue, HI

Morning in Lihue on Tuesday

Local time

11:18 AM

HST

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kapa‘a, HI

Morning in Kapa‘a on Tuesday

Local time

11:18 AM

HST

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

11 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

17m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI covers 8.2 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Oxford Street, Kuhio Highway, Kauwila Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 4.1 miles from Lihue, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

The drive from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI is easy. At 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Lihue, HI to Kapa‘a, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.