Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
40m
Distance
17.4 mi
28 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.
Wailea, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Wailuku, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling the 17.4 miles from Wailea to Wailuku is a straightforward transition across Maui that typically takes about 40 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Piilani Highway, North Kihei Road, and the Honoapiilani Highway. Because this is a short journey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Budget approximately $4 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading toward the administrative heart of the island or returning to the resort areas, this route serves as a reliable connection between these two Hawaii locations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piilani Highway | 6.7 mi | 14m |
| Honoapiilani Highway | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| North Kihei Road | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Wailea Alanui Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Okolani Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South High Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Market Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Wells Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wailea, HI and Wailuku, HI.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right
Continue
At end of road, turn left onto Wailea Alanui Drive
Turn right onto Okolani Drive
Turn left onto HI 31
Enter roundabout onto HI 31
Continue on HI 31
Turn left onto North Kihei Road
Turn right onto HI-30
Continue on HI-30
Turn right onto HI 3830
Turn left onto HI 3405
Turn left onto Kahawai Street
Turn right onto Makua Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 16.6 — 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
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto HI 31 / Piilani Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto HI 3830 / Wells Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.86 one way
$7.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.95 | $4.08 | $8.16 |
| premium | $6.10 | $4.18 | $8.36 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.66 | $7.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 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 | 5.2 | 0 | $1.83 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.52 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.44 | $1.11 |
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 Wailea on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 AM
HST
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 2:55PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI
Destination
Morning in Wailuku on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 AM
HST
Current temp
72°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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route contains no traditional highway segments. You will encounter a mix of local road conditions that demand your full attention behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will navigate is a 6.7-mile segment along the Piilani Highway. Because the road character shifts frequently, you should be prepared for varying traffic patterns as you transition between these regional hubs. It is a functional drive that requires steady navigation through local corridors.
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 0.1 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 40m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (HI 31 / Piilani Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
660 ft
Total Descent
441 ft
Highest Point
407 ft
~14.9 mi in
Elevation Range
401 ft
Wailea, and the smaller Makena to the south, are resort areas on the south side of Maui, Hawaii, immediately south of the town of Kihei. They are known for their luxury resort hotels and condos, upscale restaurants, fancy shopping center and expensive golf courses. And although hidden behind the hotels and condos now, the beaches that attracted the developers in the first place are still there in all their golden sand beauty.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 17.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
40m 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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