Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
15.6 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
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.
Waimānalo Beach, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Honolulu, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Waimānalo Beach to Honolulu covers a quick 15.5-mile span, typically taking about 29 minutes behind the wheel. Because the journey is so brief, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via Alaihi Street and the Kalaniana’ole Highway to reach the city. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly economical route to add to your itinerary. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this straightforward transit connects two distinct parts of the island efficiently. It is a practical, no-fuss drive that allows you to maximize your time at either end of the trip.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pali Highway | 7.9 mi | 14m |
| Kalaniana’ole Highway | 6.8 mi | 14m |
| South King Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Bishop Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kalanianaole Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Alaihi Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Likelike Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Oluolu Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waimānalo Beach, HI and Honolulu, HI.
Start on Oluolu Street
Turn left onto Alaihi Street
Turn left onto HI 72
Turn left onto HI 61
Continue on HI 61
Continue on HI 61
Continue on HI 61
Turn left onto South King Street
Turn left onto Likelike Street
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 15.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Alaihi Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto South King Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Likelike Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.38 one way
$6.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $3.56 | $7.11 |
| premium | $5.98 | $3.67 | $7.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.44 | $6.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.37 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.18 | $1.00 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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 Waimānalo Beach on Saturday
Local time
3:21 PM
HST
Current temp
79°F
Scattered Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Honolulu on Saturday
Local time
3:21 PM
HST
Current temp
83°F
Scattered 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 as you navigate from the coast toward the city. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be dealing with long, monotonous interstate stretches; instead, the route relies on local roads that require steady maneuvering. The road's personality is defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed cruising. You will find that the transition from Waimānalo Beach into Honolulu is consistent, with no exceptionally long uninterrupted stretches to break up the pace. Prepare for an active driving experience where frequent turns keep you engaged throughout the entire 29-minute duration.
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 near Alaihi Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 33m drive. You will face about 7 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 (Alaihi Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles (South King Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (Likelike Street): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 15.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m 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.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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