Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
20m
Distance
9.2 mi
15 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
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.
Honolulu, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Maunawili, HI
Wikimedia Commons
This short 9.2-mile journey connects Honolulu to Maunawili in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a quick day trip. You will navigate primarily via Alakea Street, the Pali Highway, and Auloa Road. Because the entire route is quite brief, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or heavy travel fatigue. With a fuel budget of only $2, it is an incredibly affordable way to transition between these two areas of Hawaii. Whether you are heading out for a morning errand or an afternoon change of scenery, this trip is straightforward and requires minimal logistical planning.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pali Highway | 7.8 mi | 14m |
| Auloa Road | 0.8 mi | 3m |
| Alakea Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Kukui Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Richards Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Honolulu, HI and Maunawili, HI.
Start on this road
Turn right
Turn left onto Richards Street
Turn right
At end of road, turn right onto Alakea Street
Turn left onto South Kukui Street
Continue on Pali Highway
Turn right onto Auloa Road
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 8.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Richards Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto Alakea Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn right onto Auloa Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$1.99 one way
$3.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $2.10 | $4.19 |
| premium | $5.98 | $2.17 | $4.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.03 | $4.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.97 | $0.44 |
| Efficient EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.80 | $0.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Afternoon in Honolulu on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
HST
Current temp
74°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Maunawili on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
HST
Current temp
72°F
Chance 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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features no highway-share sections, emphasizing its status as a local transit path. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pali Highway, which accounts for 7.8 miles of the total distance. As you transition from the urban streets of Honolulu onto the winding sections of the Pali and finally onto Auloa Road, the road’s personality shifts from city grid to a more technical driving experience. Keep your focus sharp, as the frequent turns define the character of this short but engaging commute.
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 early in the drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 20m 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Richards Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 9.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Honolulu, HI or browse trips ending in Maunawili, HI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse HI road trips.
