Origin
Wailea, HI
Evening in Wailea on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 PM
HST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wailea, HI to Wailuku, HI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
40m
Distance
17.4 mi
28 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wailea, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Wailuku, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling the 17.4 miles from Wailea to Wailuku is a straightforward transition across Maui that typically takes about 40 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Piilani Highway, North Kihei Road, and the Honoapiilani Highway. Because this is a short journey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Budget approximately $4 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading toward the administrative heart of the island or returning to the resort areas, this route serves as a reliable connection between these two Hawaii locations.
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
8.7 miles from Wailea, HI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route contains no traditional highway segments. You will encounter a mix of local road conditions that demand your full attention behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will navigate is a 6.7-mile segment along the Piilani Highway. Because the road character shifts frequently, you should be prepared for varying traffic patterns as you transition between these regional hubs. It is a functional drive that requires steady navigation through local corridors.
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 6.7 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
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 40m drive. You will face about 12 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 1.2 miles (HI 31 / Piilani Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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
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
|
HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Enter roundabout onto HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
16.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
HI 3830 / Wells Street
Turn right onto HI 3830 / Wells Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piilani Highway | 6.7 mi | 14m |
| Honoapiilani Highway | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| North Kihei Road | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Wailea Alanui Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Okolani Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South High Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Market Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Wells Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Piilani Highway
— 6.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wailea, HI and Wailuku, 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 HI 31
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
Piilani Highway
8
Continue on HI 31
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Piilani Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto North Kihei Road
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Kihei Road
10
Turn right onto HI-30
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Honoapiilani Highway
11
Continue on HI-30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South High Street
12
Turn right onto HI 3830
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Wells Street
13
Turn left onto HI 3405
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
14
Turn left onto Kahawai Street
0.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Kahawai Street
15
Turn right onto Makua Street
252 ft
·
27 sec
·
Makua Street
16
Arrive at destination
Makua Street
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip spans less than an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule. You can easily complete the drive in one go without the need for planned stops, as there are zero required breaks along the path. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, though the $4 estimated cost makes it an inexpensive leg of your journey. To ensure a smooth experience, pay close attention to the transitions between the Piilani Highway and North Kihei Road, as these are the primary points where the road personality changes. This short distance allows you to focus on your destination rather than worrying about long-haul logistics.
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 8.7 miles from Wailea, HI, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.7 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 17.4 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.7 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wailuku, 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 17.4 miles and 40m.
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 6.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.7 mi from Wailea, HI · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.7 miles from Wailea, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wailuku, HI
The final approach into Wailuku, 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 Wailuku, 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
$3.77 one way
$7.54 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $3.97 | $7.93 |
| premium | $5.98 | $4.10 | $8.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.84 | $7.68 |
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: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.83 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.52 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.44 | $1.11 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Wailuku, HI
Evening in Wailuku on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 PM
HST
Current temp
66°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
21 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
40m 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 Wailuku, HI covers 17.4 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Piilani Highway, Honoapiilani Highway, North Kihei Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.7 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 $3.77 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 40m drive. You will face about 12 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 1.2 miles (HI 31 / Piilani Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wailea, HI to Wailuku, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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