Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
38m
Distance
16.6 mi
27 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilo, HI
Isi Parente
Hawaiian Acres to Hilo is 16.6 miles and takes about 38 minutes via Mamalahoa Highway, with a fuel budget near $4 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short drive connects two locations within the Hawaii region, offering a straightforward local transit experience. Given its brief duration, this route is best suited for a quick trip, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, so expect to be attentive to your surroundings. It's a simple hop between points, perfect for when you need to get from one place to another without a long commitment.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mamalahoa Highway | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Kanoelehua Avenue | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Volcano Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Kamehameha Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| 8 Road | 1.5 mi | 5m |
| Opeapea Road | 1 mi | 4m |
| D Road | 0.4 mi | 3m |
| C Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hawaiian Acres, HI and Hilo, HI.
Start on D Road
Turn left onto Opeapea Road
Turn right onto C Road
Turn left onto 8 Road
Continue on A Road
Turn left onto Kuauli Road
Turn right onto HI 11
Continue on HI 11
Continue on 11
Turn left onto 19
Continue on Wailuku Drive
Turn right onto Puueo Street
Turn left onto Lehua Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 14.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Opeapea Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto C Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Kuauli Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto HI 11 / Volcano Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 19 / Kamehameha Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.68 one way
$7.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.95 | $3.89 | $7.78 |
| premium | $6.10 | $3.99 | $7.98 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.50 | $6.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.74 | $0.80 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.45 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.32 | $1.06 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Hawaiian Acres on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 AM
HST
Current temp
67°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Morning in Hilo on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 AM
HST
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with no highway driving to speak of. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 4.1 miles on Mamalahoa Highway. You'll be navigating a series of local roads, so it's important to be prepared for frequent turns and changes in direction. The drive progresses by taking you through local areas rather than vast open landscapes, requiring constant awareness of your immediate surroundings. It’s a route where staying alert to traffic signals and intersections is key.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Opeapea Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.4 miles (Opeapea Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (C Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (Kuauli Road): Navigation decision point.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
72 ft
Total Descent
1,006 ft
Highest Point
1,015 ft
Elevation Range
1,006 ft
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. The county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, Hilo is one of the best starting points to explore the eastern half of the island, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 38m. Total distance: 16.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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