Origin
Pukalani, HI
Evening in Pukalani on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 PM
HST
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pukalani, HI to Wailea, HI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
46m
Distance
23.9 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pukalani, HI
William Chen
Wailea, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Transitioning from the upcountry slopes of Pukalani to the coastal shores of Wailea is a straightforward 23.9-mile journey that typically takes about 46 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops along the way. You can expect to spend roughly $5 on fuel for the entire excursion, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring different parts of the island. The drive navigates through the heart of Maui, moving from the higher elevations of the interior down toward the southern coastline. Whether you are heading to the beach or commuting for business, the trip is efficient enough to fit easily into your existing plans without needing complex logistics.
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
11.9 miles from Pukalani, HI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on a combination of the Haleakala Highway, Maui Veterans Highway, and Piilani Highway. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads for the entirety of the 23.9-mile trip. The drive maintains a steady pace despite the technical nature of the turns, with the longest uninterrupted stretch measuring just 6.6 miles on the Piilani Highway. You will feel the transition in the road's personality as you shift from the inland highway corridors onto the final stretches leading into Wailea. It is a practical drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel due to the frequent turns and local traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Piilani Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.6 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in near HI 36 / Hana Highway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 6.9 miles (HI 36 / Hana Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (Okolani Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Wailea Alanui Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
6.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
HI 36 / Hana Highway
Turn left onto HI 36 / Hana Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
22.6 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
Okolani Drive
Turn right onto Okolani Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
Wailea Alanui Drive
Turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
23.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
23.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piilani Highway | 6.6 mi | 14m |
| Maui Veterans Highway | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Haleakala Highway | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Hana Highway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Old Haleakala Highway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Kahului Airport Access Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Wailea Alanui Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Okolani Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Piilani Highway
— 6.6 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pukalani, HI and Wailea, HI.
1
Start on Haahaa Street
222 ft
·
11 sec
·
Haahaa Street
2
Turn right onto HI 367
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Haleakala Highway
3
Continue on HI 37
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Haleakala Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto HI 36
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Hana Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto HI 3800
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kahului Airport Access Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto HI 311
201 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Puunene Avenue
7
Continue on HI 311
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Maui Veterans Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on HI 31
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Piilani Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Enter roundabout onto HI 31
117 ft
·
2 sec
·
Piilani Highway
10
Continue on HI 31
4.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Piilani Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto Okolani Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Okolani Drive
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wailea Alanui Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right
79 ft
·
7 sec
14
Continue
519 ft
·
46 sec
15
Turn left
339 ft
·
24 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire journey takes less than an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic hours. You won't need to plan for any formal stops during the 46-minute drive, so make sure to fuel up before you leave Pukalani to keep your $5 travel budget on track. Keep a close eye on your speed when transitioning between the various highway segments, as road conditions and traffic density can shift quickly. Because this is a relatively short trip, use the time to plan your arrival in Wailea rather than worrying about mid-route fatigue. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor the Piilani Highway traffic reports before you start, as that 6.6-mile stretch is your primary opportunity for a consistent flow.
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 11.9 miles from Pukalani, HI, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.6 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 23.9 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wailea, HI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pukalani, 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 Pukalani, HI
This is one driving day of about 23.9 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pukalani, 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 Piilani Highway for about 6.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Pukalani, HI · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Pukalani, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wailea, HI
The final approach into Wailea, 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 Wailea, 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
$5.18 one way
$10.36 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $5.45 | $10.89 |
| premium | $5.98 | $5.63 | $11.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.28 | $10.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.51 | $1.15 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.09 | $0.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.35 | $1.53 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Wailea, HI
Evening in Wailea on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 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
23 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
46m 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 Pukalani, HI to Wailea, HI covers 23.9 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Piilani Highway, Maui Veterans Highway, Haleakala Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Pukalani, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.18 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 23.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 6.9 miles (HI 36 / Hana Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (Okolani Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles (Wailea Alanui Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pukalani, HI to Wailea, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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