Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
50.3 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kalaoa, HI
Alexey Demidov
Hāwī, HI
Angela Chacón
Kalaoa, HI to Hāwī, HI is 50.3 miles and takes about 1h 23m via Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Akoni Pule Highway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels within the Hawaii region, taking you from the Kona coast towards the northern tip of the island. The drive is primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to extensive highway travel. With only one recommended day, this trip is perfect for a leisurely exploration without feeling rushed, allowing you to soak in the surroundings at your own pace.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Kaahumanu Highway | 26 mi | 36m |
| Akoni Pule Highway | 19.1 mi | 34m |
| Kaʻiminani Drive | 3.6 mi | 8m |
| Mamalahoa Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Mahilani Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hoea Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kalaoa, HI and Hāwī, HI.
Start on Mahilani Drive
At end of road, turn right onto 190
Turn right onto Kaʻiminani Drive
Take the ramp onto 19
Merge onto 19
Continue on 19
At end of road, turn left onto Akoni Pule Highway
Turn left onto Hoea Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from Kalaoa, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 31 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto 190 / Mamalahoa Highway
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Kaʻiminani Drive
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp onto 19 / Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto 19 / Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
At end of road, turn left onto Akoni Pule Highway
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$10.56 one way
$21.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.61 | $11.11 | $22.22 |
| premium | $5.80 | $11.49 | $22.98 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $11.09 | $22.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.04 | $3.22 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Night in Kalaoa on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 PM
HST
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Hāwī on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 PM
HST
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
67°F
Waimea, HI
25 mi in
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 drive covers 50.3 miles, with 0% on highways, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 26 miles on Queen Kaahumanu Highway before transitioning to Akoni Pule Highway and Kaʻiminani Drive. Expect a consistent cruising experience on mostly surface roads, with no significant highway segments to navigate. This setup is ideal for a relaxed pace, allowing you to take in the scenery as you transition through different local areas.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 190 / Mamalahoa Highway.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Kalaoa, HI to Hāwī, HI is easy. At 1h 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (190 / Mamalahoa Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Kaʻiminani Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles (19 / Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
879 ft
Total Descent
1,916 ft
Highest Point
1,593 ft
Elevation Range
1,581 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 50.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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