Trip from Makawao, HI to Lahaina, HI

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

56m

Distance

33.3 mi

54 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min

4 AM

0h 52m ★

6 AM

0h 57m

8 AM

1h 6m

10 AM

1h 0m

12 PM

0h 59m

3 PM

1h 0m

5 PM

1h 5m

8 PM

0h 54m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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human settlement in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Makawao, HI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 33.3 miles, the drive from Makawao to Lahaina typically takes about 56 minutes. You will navigate a transition from the upcountry charm of Makawao toward the coastal atmosphere of Lahaina, relying on a combination of the Haleakala Highway, Kuihelani Highway, and Honoapiilani Highway. Because this journey is relatively short, it is easily managed as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budget approximately $7 for fuel to cover the distance. This route functions well as a direct local connection, offering a straightforward path between two distinct areas of Maui.

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

16.6 miles from Makawao, HI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero percent traditional highway-share driving. You will navigate varied terrain as you move between regions, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 12.9 miles on the Honoapiilani Highway. The road requires your full attention due to its technical nature and the frequent turns involved in the transit. Rather than a monotonous cruise, this drive feels like a practical, hands-on navigation of Maui’s local infrastructure. Stay alert, as the road conditions shift as you transition between the inland highways and the coastal highway segments.

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

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Honoapiilani Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 33.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles (HI 36 / Hana Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue

Turn right onto HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue

Navigation decision point

9.2 mi into trip | ~15m in | HI 36 / Hana Highway

Turn left onto HI 36 / Hana Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

11 mi into trip | ~18m in | HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road

Turn left onto HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

31.6 mi into trip | ~51m in | Hokiokio Place

Turn left onto Hokiokio Place

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

32.9 mi into trip | ~55m in | Prison Street

Turn left onto Prison Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Honoapiilani Highway	12.9 mi	22m
Haleakala Highway	5.3 mi	8m
Kuihelani Highway	5.2 mi	7m
Lahaina Bypass	2.6 mi	4m
Makawao Avenue	1.7 mi	3m
Hana Highway	1.7 mi	3m
Kula Highway	1.6 mi	2m
Kahului Airport Access Road	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Honoapiilani Highway — 12.9 mi, about 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Makawao, HI and Lahaina, HI.

Start on Ukiu Road

155 ft · 9 sec · Ukiu Road

Turn right onto HI 390

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Baldwin Avenue

Turn right onto HI 365

1.7 mi · 3 min · Makawao Avenue

Turn right

125 ft · 4 sec

Turn right onto HI 37

1.6 mi · 2 min · Kula Highway

Continue on HI 37

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Old Haleakala Highway

Continue on HI 37

5.3 mi · 8 min · Haleakala Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto HI 36

1.7 mi · 3 min · Hana Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto HI 3800

0.9 mi · 1 min · Kahului Airport Access Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on HI 380

5.2 mi · 7 min · Kuihelani Highway

Turn left onto HI-30

12 mi · 19 min · Honoapiilani Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on HI-30

2.6 mi · 4 min · Lahaina Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Hokiokio Place

0.3 mi · 1 min · Hokiokio Place

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto HI-30

1.1 mi · 2 min · Honoapiilani Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Prison Street

468 ft · 21 sec · Prison Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Waine'e Street

0.2 mi · 53 sec · Waine'e Street

Turn left

81 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since the trip is only 56 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever suits your plans best. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 33.3-mile distance, you can drive through in one go without needing to plan for breaks. Keep in mind that this is a technical, turn-heavy route, so adjust your speed accordingly to stay comfortable behind the wheel. Because fuel costs are low at roughly $7, you don't need to stress about frequent refueling stops along the way. Use the flexibility of this short drive to prioritize your arrival time in Lahaina so you can make the most of your day once you reach your destination.

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 16.6 miles from Makawao, HI, or about 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.9 miles.

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 33.3 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 16.6 miles or 26m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 45m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Makawao, 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 Makawao, HI

This is one driving day of about 33.3 miles and 56m.

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

The longest stretch is on Honoapiilani Highway for about 12.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 16.6 mi from Makawao, HI · 26m into the drive

census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wailea, HI

17 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

Kaanapali Landing, HI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wailea, HI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 16.6 miles from Makawao, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lahaina, HI

The final approach into Lahaina, 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 Lahaina, HI.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Haleakalā National Park

National Park

This special place vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people. The park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist n...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour $25 near mile 1.1

Park Closure: Haleakalā Visitor Center Closed 2/19 through the week of 5/17

View on nps.gov

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

National Historical Park

When Hansen's disease (leprosy) was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha V banished all afflicted to the isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. Since 1866, more tha...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 33.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.22 one way

$14.43 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.79	$7.59	$15.18
premium	$5.98	$7.84	$15.68
diesel	$5.61	$7.35	$14.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10	$3.50	$1.60
Efficient EV	8.3	$2.91	$1.33
EV Truck/SUV	13.3	$4.66	$2.13

Gas CO2

12 kg

EV CO2

4 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 5 days ago

Origin

Makawao, HI

Afternoon in Makawao on Tuesday

Local time

4:07 PM

HST

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lahaina, HI

Afternoon in Lahaina on Tuesday

Local time

4:07 PM

HST

Current temp

87°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

24 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

56m 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 Makawao, HI to Lahaina, HI covers 33.3 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Honoapiilani Highway, Haleakala Highway, Kuihelani Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 16.6 miles from Makawao, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.22 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 route from Makawao, HI to Lahaina, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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