How far is Makawao, HI from Kekaha, HI?

The estimated driving distance from Makawao, HI to Kekaha, HI is about 273.4 miles (440 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM HST.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
273.38 mi
04h 47m · estimated
Flight
231.68 mi
372.85 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Makawao.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
231.68 mi
Kilometers
372.85 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
273.38 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
439.96 km
Drive Time
04h 47m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kekaha
Tue, Apr 14, 4:55 PM HST
Return by in Makawao
Tue, Apr 14, 9:43 PM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Makawao
2026-04-14T12:07
Arrive Kekaha
Tue, Apr 14, 4:55 PM HST
Route Timing
04h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM HST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM HST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:24 AM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Makawao
9:00 PM HST
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Waipio
HI

Census-designated place in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States of America

From Makawao
115.8 mi
02h 23m
To Kekaha
157.5 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Tuesday Night

Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 8:00 AM HST
Wind
8 mph NNE
Destination
Kekaha Weather
HI
Live fallback forecast
81°F
Today
Using Hanapēpē Heights as the closest live forecast in the Kauai County weather hub.

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 9:00 AM HST
Wind
2 to 6 mph SE

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Makawao and Kekaha.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.8 mi
231.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waipio
02h 23m from Makawao
Leave By
7:24 AM HST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers leaving Makawao and Scattered Rain Showers near Kekaha.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Makawao to Kekaha?

The road trip is about 273.4 miles (440 km) and usually takes 04h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Waipio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.8 miles from Makawao and 157.5 miles from Kekaha.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM HST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.78 one way or $95.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Cloudy then Scattered Rain Showers around Makawao and Scattered Rain Showers near Kekaha.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Makawao and Kekaha. Straight-line distance: 231.68 mi (372.85 km).

Makawao

#1 Makawao

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population7,184
Coordinates20.8569400, -156.3130600
Altitude481
CountryUnited States
Kekaha

#2 Kekaha

City in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population3,537
Coordinates21.9668600, -159.7118600
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Makawao (-156.31306, 20.85694)
End: Kekaha (-159.71186, 21.96686)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 440 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.65 gal
36.52 L · about $47.78
Round trip
$95.55
19.3 gal · 73.04 L
Estimated CO2
85.8 kg one way
Round trip: 171.5 kg / 378 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $47.78 $95.55
Mid-grade $5.34 $51.51 $103.02
Premium $5.57 $53.71 $107.42
Diesel $6.37 $61.43 $122.86

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Hawaii · Apr 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Makawao and Kekaha. The current time is 12:07:55.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.