Origin
Wailea, HI
Evening in Wailea on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 PM
HST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wailea, HI to Kīhei, HI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
15m
Distance
6.3 mi
10 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wailea, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Kīhei, HI
cottonbro CG studio
Trip Overview
Traveling between Wailea and Kīhei is a quick, straightforward transition across Maui’s southwestern coast. Spanning just 6.3 miles, this route typically takes about 15 minutes to complete, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Wailea Alanui Drive, Okolani Drive, and the Piilani Highway. With a fuel budget of approximately $1, this is an incredibly economical journey for your travel itinerary. Because both locations are situated within the same region of Hawaii, you can expect a seamless experience without significant environmental or logistical shifts. It is a highly practical connection for those looking to move efficiently between these two coastal areas.
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
3.2 miles from Wailea, HI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This 15-minute journey is defined by a turn-heavy, local-road profile rather than a high-speed interstate experience. You won't spend any time on major highways, as the route maintains a zero-percent highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4.8-mile segment on the Piilani Highway, which offers a brief moment of steady driving. Expect to navigate frequent turns as you transition between the local thoroughfares of Wailea Alanui and Okolani. Behind the wheel, the feel is one of a relaxed neighborhood cruise, requiring you to stay attentive to the changes in road layout as you navigate from one town to the next.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 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 4.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 15m 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: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (Wailea Alanui Drive): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Wailea Alanui Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive
Navigation decision point
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Turn left onto HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Kulanihakoi Street
Enter roundabout onto Kulanihakoi Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piilani Highway | 4.8 mi | 10m |
| Wailea Alanui Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Okolani Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kulanihakoi Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Piilani Highway
— 4.8 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wailea, HI and Kīhei, HI.
1
Start on this road
339 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right
416 ft
·
32 sec
3
Continue
199 ft
·
15 sec
4
At end of road, turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wailea Alanui Drive
5
Turn right onto Okolani Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Okolani Drive
6
Turn left onto HI 31
4.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Piilani Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto Kulanihakoi Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
Kulanihakoi Street
8
Continue on Kulanihakoi Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Kulanihakoi Street
9
Arrive at destination
Kulanihakoi Street
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 6.3-mile drive, you have immense flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to depart whenever it best suits your plans. You won't need to worry about pacing stops, as the duration is brief enough that you can head straight to your destination without needing to refuel or rest. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, keep your eyes on the signage to ensure you transition smoothly between the Piilani Highway and the local streets. Your biggest advantage here is the lack of pressure; you can easily fit this transit into a busy day of activities. Keep your fuel gauge topped off before you leave, though the $1 cost ensures that even a quick trip won't dent your budget.
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 3.2 miles from Wailea, HI, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.8 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 6.3 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.2 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kīhei, HI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wailea, 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 Wailea, HI
This is one driving day of about 6.3 miles and 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wailea, 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 4.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.2 mi from Wailea, HI · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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 6.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.2 miles from Wailea, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kīhei, HI
The final approach into Kīhei, 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 Kīhei, 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
$1.37 one way
$2.73 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $1.44 | $2.87 |
| premium | $5.98 | $1.48 | $2.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Efficient EV | 1.6 | 0 | $0.55 | $0.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.88 | $0.40 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Kīhei, HI
Evening in Kīhei on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 PM
HST
Current temp
69°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
18 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
15m 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 Wailea, HI to Kīhei, HI covers 6.3 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Piilani Highway, Wailea Alanui Drive, Okolani Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.2 miles from Wailea, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.37 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 15m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (Wailea Alanui Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Wailea, HI to Kīhei, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More from Wailea, HI
Explore more options from Wailea, HI or browse trips ending in Kīhei, HI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse HI road trips.
Explore maps for Wailea, HI or Kīhei, HI on MapSof.net.