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Trip from Waianae, HI to Kaneohe, HI

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

57m

Distance

35.3 mi

57 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 53m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 55m

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

Waianae, HI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kaneohe, HI, HI

Kaneohe, HI

Jess Loiterton

Trip Overview

Spanning 35.3 miles across Hawaii, this route connects Waianae to Kaneohe in about 57 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway, Farrington Highway, and the John A. Burns Freeway. Since the total drive time is under an hour, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $8 for fuel covers the trip comfortably. Whether you are commuting or exploring, the journey offers a straightforward transition between the regions of Waianae and Kaneohe.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 35.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (62%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 62% of this trip is spent on major transit corridors. You will encounter a mix of fast-paced freeway travel and necessary highway stretches that keep the momentum going. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway, where you will cover 12.9 miles without a break. While the road personality is functional and efficient, you should be prepared for the shift from coastal highway segments to the more structured freeway environment as you progress toward your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway and Farrington Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near HI 93 / Farrington Highway.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 93 / Farrington Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | HI 93 / Farrington Highway

Depart onto HI 93 / Farrington Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
23.3 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward Kaneohe, Honolulu, Aiea

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Kaneohe, Honolulu, Aiea
8
23.5 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I H3, HI 78 East: Kaneohe, Honolulu

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I H3, HI 78 East: Kaneohe, Honolulu
5
32.9 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward HI 63 North: Likelike Highway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 9 Toward HI 63 North: Likelike Highway
6
35.2 mi into trip | ~57m in | HI 83 / Kamehameha Highway

Turn sharp left onto HI 83 / Kamehameha Highway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Waianae, HI and Kaneohe, HI, road signs point toward Honolulu, Aiea and I H3.

Honolulu

23.3 mi in | ~37m

Aiea

23.3 mi in | ~37m

I H3

23.5 mi in | ~37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway 12.9 mi 16m
Farrington Highway 10.4 mi 21m
John A. Burns Freeway 8.7 mi 13m
Likelike Highway 1.5 mi 2m
State Highway 83 0.3 mi <1m
Kamehameha Highway <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway — 12.9 mi, about 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on HI 93

10 mi · 21 min · Farrington Highway
Use the left lane.
2

Continue on I H1

13 mi · 16 min · Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward Kaneohe, Honolulu, Aiea
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I H3, HI 78 East: Kaneohe, Honolulu Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I H3

8.7 mi · 13 min · John A. Burns Freeway
6

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 9 Toward HI 63 North: Likelike Highway
7

Merge onto HI 63

1.5 mi · 2 min · Likelike Highway
8

Turn right onto HI 83

0.3 mi · 40 sec · State Highway 83
9

Turn slight left

110 ft · 11 sec
10

Turn sharp left onto HI 83

346 ft · 8 sec · Kamehameha Highway
11

Arrive at destination

HI 83

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.6 mi from Waianae, HI · 30m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pearl City, HI

18 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

He‘eia, HI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pearl City, HI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Waianae, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kaneohe, HI

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Kaneohe, HI if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.65 one way

$15.30 round trip

$5.51/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.79 $8.05 $16.09
premium $5.98 $8.31 $16.62
diesel $5.61 $7.79 $15.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 10.6 0 $3.71 $1.69
Efficient EV 8.8 0 $3.09 $1.41
EV Truck/SUV 14.1 0 $4.94 $2.26

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Waianae, HI

Evening in Waianae on Thursday

Local time

5:46 PM

HST

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Kaneohe, HI

Evening in Kaneohe on Thursday

Local time

5:46 PM

HST

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

57m 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 Waianae, HI to Kaneohe, HI covers 35.3 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway, Farrington Highway, John A. Burns Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.6 miles from Waianae, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.65 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 is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 93 / Farrington Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waianae, HI and Kaneohe, HI, road signs point toward Honolulu, Aiea and I H3.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Kaneohe, HI to Waianae, HI

Plan the drive back the other way.

34.1 mi 55m

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