Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
16.2 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
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
Kealakekua, HI
Mike Norris
Kalaoa to Kealakekua is 16.2 miles and takes about 26 minutes via Kuakini Highway and Mamalahoa Highway, with a fuel budget near $4 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Hawaii region, offering a straightforward connection between two points. Given its brief duration and minimal fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick transfer or a leisurely drive without much planning. You'll primarily navigate surface roads, so expect a relaxed pace for the entire 16.2 miles.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kuakini Highway | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Mamalahoa Highway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Palani Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Henry Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Mahilani Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kealaola Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kalaoa, HI and Kealakekua, HI.
Start on Mahilani Drive
At end of road, turn right onto 190
Turn straight onto 190
Turn left onto Henry Street
Turn left onto 11
Continue on HI-11
Continue on HI 11
Turn right onto Kealaola Street
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 16.1 — 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 left onto Henry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 11 / Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Kealaola Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.59 one way
$7.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.95 | $3.80 | $7.59 |
| premium | $6.10 | $3.89 | $7.78 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.41 | $6.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 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 | 4.9 | 0 | $1.70 | $0.78 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.42 | $0.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
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 Kalaoa on Wednesday
Local time
9:06 AM
HST
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 2:55PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Destination
Morning in Kealakekua on Wednesday
Local time
9:06 AM
HST
Current temp
67°F
Isolated Rain Showers
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 2:55PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
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 is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 5.5 miles on Kuakini Highway. You'll primarily be using Kuakini Highway, Mamalahoa Highway, and Palani Road. Expect to navigate through local traffic and intersections, as there are no highway sections to speak of.
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 0.2 miles in near 190 / Mamalahoa Highway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 26m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (190 / Mamalahoa Highway): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (Henry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (11 / Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,241 ft
Total Descent
1,403 ft
Highest Point
1,627 ft
~1.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,361 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 26m. Total distance: 16.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
26m 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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