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Trip from Pearl City, HI to Waianae, HI

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

34m

Distance

20 mi

32 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 32m ★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m

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

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

Pearl City, HI

Wikimedia Commons

census designated place in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States

Waianae, HI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 20-mile drive from Pearl City to Waianae in Hawaii is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 34 minutes. It's an ideal day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route primarily utilizes Farrington Highway, Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway, and Kuala Street, with a significant portion on well-maintained roads. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, this is a very economical excursion. The drive offers a mixed driving experience, reflecting the transition between different areas within Hawaii.

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

10 miles from Pearl City, HI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The personality of this drive is a blend of highway and local road conditions, as indicated by its 43% highway share. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 10.2 miles along Farrington Highway, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests a dynamic experience, transitioning from potentially faster-paced freeway sections to more local street driving as you approach your destination. This variety means you'll need to adjust your driving style throughout the 20-mile trip.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Farrington Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 5 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20 miles you will encounter 5 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: at 0.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Kuala Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

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

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Kuala Street

Turn left onto Kuala Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I H1 West, I H2 North: Waianae, Mililani, Wahiawa

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I H1 West, I H2 North: Waianae, Mililani...
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I H1 West: Waianae

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I H1 West: Waianae
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I H1 / Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway

Merge onto I H1 / Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Farrington Highway 10.2 mi 20m
Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway 8.6 mi 10m
Kuala Street 0.4 mi 1m
Kamehameha Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Farrington Highway — 10.2 mi, about 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pearl City, HI and Waianae, HI.

1

Start on this road

309 ft · 26 sec · this road
2

Turn left

262 ft · 26 sec
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto Kuala Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Kuala Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn straight onto Kamehameha Highway

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Kamehameha Highway
5

Take the ramp

196 ft · 4 sec
Toward I H1 West, I H2 North: Waianae, Mililani, Wahiawa
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Toward I H1 West: Waianae
7

Merge onto I H1

8.6 mi · 10 min · Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on HI 93

10 mi · 20 min · Farrington Highway
9

Arrive at destination

HI 93

Trip Plan

Given the short 34-minute duration of this 20-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially if you encounter any local commuting patterns. With no specified stops, you can easily complete this trip in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel level as the estimated cost is only $4. A specific tip for this route: be aware of the transition points between the highway sections and local roads, as speed limits and traffic flow can change abruptly.

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 10 miles from Pearl City, HI, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.2 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 20 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 10 miles or 14m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 28m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pearl City, 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 Pearl City, HI

This is one driving day of about 20 miles and 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pearl City, 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 Farrington Highway for about 10.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10 mi from Pearl City, HI · 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mā‘ili, HI

10 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

Mā‘ili, HI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

‘Ewa Beach, HI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10 miles from Pearl City, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Waianae, HI

The final approach into Waianae, 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 Waianae, 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

$4.33 one way

$8.67 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $4.56 $9.12
premium $5.98 $4.71 $9.42
diesel $5.61 $4.42 $8.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6 0 $2.10 $0.96
Efficient EV 5 0 $1.75 $0.80
EV Truck/SUV 8 0 $2.80 $1.28

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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 2 hours ago

Origin

Pearl City, HI

Afternoon in Pearl City on Tuesday

Local time

1:42 PM

HST

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waianae, HI

Afternoon in Waianae on Tuesday

Local time

1:42 PM

HST

Current temp

--

Unavailable

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.

Road read

34m 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 Pearl City, HI to Waianae, HI covers 20 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Farrington Highway, Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway, Kuala Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10 miles from Pearl City, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.33 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Kuala Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Pearl City, HI to Waianae, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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