Origin
Makawao, HI
Afternoon in Makawao on Saturday
Local time
3:20 PM
HST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Makawao, HI to Lahaina, HI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
33.3 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Makawao, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Lahaina, HI
Mike Norris
Trip Overview
Spanning 33.3 miles, the drive from Makawao to Lahaina typically takes about 56 minutes. You will navigate a transition from the upcountry charm of Makawao toward the coastal atmosphere of Lahaina, relying on a combination of the Haleakala Highway, Kuihelani Highway, and Honoapiilani Highway. Because this journey is relatively short, it is easily managed as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budget approximately $7 for fuel to cover the distance. This route functions well as a direct local connection, offering a straightforward path between two distinct areas of Maui.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Honoapiilani Highway | 12.9 mi | 22m |
| Haleakala Highway | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Kuihelani Highway | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Lahaina Bypass | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Makawao Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Hana Highway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Kula Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Kahului Airport Access Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Honoapiilani Highway
— 12.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Makawao, HI and Lahaina, HI.
1
Start on Ukiu Road
155 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ukiu Road
2
Turn right onto HI 390
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Baldwin Avenue
3
Turn right onto HI 365
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Makawao Avenue
4
Turn right
125 ft
·
4 sec
5
Turn right onto HI 37
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Kula Highway
6
Continue on HI 37
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Old Haleakala Highway
7
Continue on HI 37
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Haleakala Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto HI 36
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Hana Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto HI 3800
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Kahului Airport Access Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on HI 380
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Kuihelani Highway
11
Turn left onto HI-30
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Honoapiilani Highway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on HI-30
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lahaina Bypass
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Hokiokio Place
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Hokiokio Place
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto HI-30
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Honoapiilani Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Prison Street
468 ft
·
21 sec
·
Prison Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Waine'e Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Waine'e Street
17
Turn left
81 ft
·
5 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.6 miles from Makawao, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 32.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue
Turn right onto HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
9.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
HI 36 / Hana Highway
Turn left onto HI 36 / Hana Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
11 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road
Turn left onto HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
31.6 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
Hokiokio Place
Turn left onto Hokiokio Place
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
32.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
Prison Street
Turn left onto Prison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.22 one way
$14.43 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $7.59 | $15.18 |
| premium | $5.98 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.35 | $14.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.91 | $1.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lahaina, HI
Afternoon in Lahaina on Saturday
Local time
3:20 PM
HST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero percent traditional highway-share driving. You will navigate varied terrain as you move between regions, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 12.9 miles on the Honoapiilani Highway. The road requires your full attention due to its technical nature and the frequent turns involved in the transit. Rather than a monotonous cruise, this drive feels like a practical, hands-on navigation of Maui’s local infrastructure. Stay alert, as the road conditions shift as you transition between the inland highways and the coastal highway segments.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 12.9 mi on Honoapiilani Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 33.3 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles (HI 36 / Hana Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 33.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 12.9 miles on Honoapiilani Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lahaina, HI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 9.2 miles (HI 36 / Hana Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (HI 3800 / Kahului Airport Access Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Haleakalā National Park and Kalaupapa National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lahaina, HI before heading back.
How this page is built
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.
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