How far is Makawao, HI from Wailuku, HI?

The driving distance from Makawao, HI to Wailuku, HI is about 15.1 miles (24.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM HST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
15.11 mi
00h 28m
Flight
12.68 mi
20.41 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Makawao.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.68 mi
Kilometers
20.41 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
15.11 mi
Kilometers
24.31 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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 00h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wailuku
Tue, May 12, 12:33 PM HST
Return by in Makawao
Tue, May 12, 1:02 PM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Makawao
2026-05-12T12:05
Arrive Wailuku
Tue, May 12, 12:33 PM HST
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM HST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:29 AM to 7:29 PM HST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:32 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Makawao
10:00 PM HST
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Paia
HI

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

From Makawao
7.6 mi
00h 14m
To Wailuku
7.6 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM HST
Wind
13 mph NE
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM HST
Wind
17 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Makawao and Wailuku.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Ukiu Road

    47 m · 9 sec · Ukiu Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Baldwin Avenue

    1290 ft · 29 sec · Baldwin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Makawao Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Makawao Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right

    38 m · 5 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Kula Highway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Kula Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Old Haleakala Highway

    1757 ft · 33 sec · Old Haleakala Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Haleakala Highway

    5.3 mi · 8 min · Haleakala Highway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Hana Highway

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Hana Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Kaahumanu Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Kaahumanu Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on East Main Street

    889 ft · 40 sec · East Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Market Street

    1630 ft · 1 min · North Market Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Kahawai Street

    604 ft · 1 min · Kahawai Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Makua Street

    77 m · 28 sec · Makua Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Makua Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Makawao and Wailuku.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
92.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Haleakala Highway
5.25 mi · 35%
Hana Highway
2.93 mi · 19%
Kaahumanu Avenue
2.31 mi · 15%
Makawao Avenue
1.75 mi · 12%
Kula Highway
1.6 mi · 11%
Old Haleakala Highway
0.33 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Haleakala Highway

Continue on Haleakala Highway

5.25 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.4 mi
12.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paia
00h 14m from Makawao
Leave By
7:32 PM HST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Isolated Rain Showers leaving Makawao and Scattered Rain Showers near Wailuku.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 15.1 miles (24.3 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Paia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.6 miles from Makawao and 7.6 miles from Wailuku.

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

The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM HST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.62 one way or $5.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Isolated Rain Showers around Makawao and Scattered Rain Showers near Wailuku.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Makawao and Wailuku. Straight-line distance: 12.68 mi (20.41 km).

Makawao

#1 Makawao

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

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

#2 Wailuku

Census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaiʻi, United States

Population15,313
Coordinates20.8913300, -156.5060400
Altitude76
CountryUnited States
Start: Makawao (-156.31306, 20.85694)
End: Wailuku (-156.50604, 20.89133)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 24 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.53 gal
2.02 L · about $2.62
Round trip
$5.25
1.06 gal · 4.04 L
Estimated CO2
4.7 kg one way
Round trip: 9.4 kg / 21 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $2.62 $5.25
Mid-grade $5.34 $2.83 $5.66
Premium $5.57 $2.95 $5.90
Diesel $6.37 $3.37 $6.75

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Makawao and Wailuku. The current time is 12:05:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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