US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in Hawaii

Routes

30

Avg Distance

52 mi

Avg Drive

1h 24m

Destinations

24

Not every route in Hawaii is memorable, but these 30 are. Each scores at least 7/10 for drive quality, meaning real elevation changes, scenic stretches, and roads that feel like more than just pavement between two points.

Climate through the year: Hawaii

Hawaii peaks at around 89°F in Aug and cools to 81°F / 67°F in Jan. Wettest month is Mar at ~2.4 in of rain.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	81	67	1.8
Feb	81	67	1.9
Mar	81	68	2.4
Apr	83	70	0.8
May	85	72	0.8
Jun	87	74	0.5
Jul	88	75	0.5
Aug	89	76	0.8
Sep	88	75	0.9
Oct	87	74	1.5
Nov	84	72	2.3
Dec	82	69	2.2

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for HI — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 30 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI → Captain Cook, HI

100.4 mi 2h 27m Score: 8/10 ~$22 fuel

Through: Hilo/Volcano

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI → Hāwī, HI

99.7 mi 2h 41m Score: 7/10 ~$23 fuel

Through: Hilo/Volcano

Kalaoa, HI → Volcano, HI

95.7 mi 2h 17m Score: 7/10 ~$22 fuel

Kalaoa, HI → Leilani Estates, HI

91.1 mi 2h 15m Score: 7/10 ~$20 fuel

Through: Pahoa/Kalapana

Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI → Hōlualoa, HI

90.9 mi 2h 17m Score: 7/10 ~$20 fuel

Through: Hilo/Volcano

Kalaoa, HI → Nanawale Estates, HI

89.8 mi 2h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$20 fuel

Through: Pahoa/Kalapana

Kalaoa, HI → Fern Acres, HI

85.8 mi 2h 6m Score: 7/10 ~$20 fuel

Kalaoa, HI → Orchidlands Estates, HI

83.2 mi 2h 6m Score: 7/10 ~$18 fuel

Through: Pahoa/Kalapana

Kalaoa, HI → Kurtistown, HI

77.9 mi 1h 50m Score: 7/10 ~$17 fuel

Hana, HI → Lahaina, HI

71.6 mi 2h 25m Score: 7/10 ~$16 fuel

Kalaoa, HI → Kapaau, HI

52.5 mi 1h 27m Score: 7/10 ~$12 fuel

Kahuku, HI → Waianae, HI

50.8 mi 1h 30m Score: 7/10 ~$12 fuel

Through: Honolulu → I H1 West: Waianae

Kalaoa, HI → Hāwī, HI

50.3 mi 1h 23m Score: 7/10 ~$11 fuel

Punalu‘u, HI → Waianae, HI

49 mi 1h 27m Score: 8/10 ~$11 fuel

Through: I H3 West: Pearl Harbor → I H1 West: Pearl City

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waianae, HI → Waimānalo Beach, HI

43 mi 1h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$10 fuel

Through: Kaneohe → Honolulu → Aiea +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waianae, HI → Kahalu‘u, HI

39.4 mi 1h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$9 fuel

Through: Kaneohe → Honolulu → Aiea +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waianae, HI → Mokulēia, HI

37.9 mi 1h 4m Score: 8/10 ~$9 fuel

Through: I H2 North: Miliani → Wahiawa → Waialua

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Honolulu, HI → Mākaha Valley, HI

36.3 mi 1h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$8 fuel

Through: I H1 West: Fort Shafter → Airport → I H201 West: Fort Shafter +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hālawa Heights, HI → Lā‘ie, HI

33.5 mi 1h 9m Score: 7/10 ~$8 fuel

Through: Kahekili Highway

Honolulu, HI → Mokulēia, HI

32.7 mi 54m Score: 8/10 ~$7 fuel

Through: I H1 West: Fort Shafter → Airport → I H201 West: Fort Shafter +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Honolulu, HI → Mā‘ili, HI

31.3 mi 49m Score: 8/10 ~$7 fuel

Through: I H1 West: Fort Shafter → Airport → I H201 West: Fort Shafter +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hālawa Heights, HI → Hau‘ula, HI

30.4 mi 1h 1m Score: 7/10 ~$7 fuel

Through: Kahekili Highway

Keolu Hills, HI → Makakilo City, HI

30 mi 47m Score: 7/10 ~$7 fuel

Through: I H3 West: Pearl Harbor → I H1 West: Pearl City → Waianae

Makakilo City, HI → Kahalu‘u, HI

28.8 mi 47m Score: 8/10 ~$6 fuel

Through: Kaneohe → Honolulu → Aiea +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waianae, HI → Waipi‘o Acres, HI

23.6 mi 42m Score: 7/10 ~$5 fuel

Through: Waikele → Waipahu

Hālawa Heights, HI → Mā‘ili, HI

23.4 mi 38m Score: 8/10 ~$5 fuel

Through: Waianae

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Honolulu, HI → Ocean Pointe, HI

22.1 mi 39m Score: 8/10 ~$5 fuel

Through: I H1 West: Fort Shafter → Airport → I H201 West: Fort Shafter +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waianae, HI → Waipio, HI

20.4 mi 36m Score: 8/10 ~$5 fuel

Through: Waikele → Waipahu

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Hālawa Heights, HI → Waimānalo Beach, HI

19.9 mi 36m Score: 8/10 ~$5 fuel

Through: I H3 East: Kaneohe → Kaneohe

5 tricky spots High drive quality

‘Aiea, HI → Keolu Hills, HI

18.2 mi 31m Score: 8/10 ~$4 fuel

Through: I H3 East: Kaneohe → Kaneohe

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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Hawaii Trips