How far is Pukalani, HI from Wailua, HI?

The driving distance from Pukalani, HI to Wailua, HI is about 27 miles (43.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13 miles (20.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
27 mi
01h 02m
Flight
12.96 mi
20.86 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pukalani.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.96 mi
Kilometers
20.86 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
27 mi
Kilometers
43.46 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wailua
Mon, May 25, 7:43 PM HST
Return by in Pukalani
Mon, May 25, 8:46 PM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pukalani
2026-05-25T18:41
Arrive Wailua
Mon, May 25, 7:43 PM HST
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM HST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:26 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pukalani
9:30 PM HST
Morning start is best

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
Makawao
HI

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

From Pukalani
13.5 mi
00h 31m
To Wailua
13.5 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM HST
Wind
16 mph NNE
Destination
75°F
Memorial Day

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM HST
Wind
16 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Pukalani and Wailua.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pukalani and Wailua.

  1. 1

    Start on Haahaa Street

    68 m · 15 sec · Haahaa Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Old Haleakala Highway

    1308 ft · 43 sec · Old Haleakala Highway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Makawao Avenue

    3.2 mi · 7 min · Makawao Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Kaupakalua Road

    5.4 mi · 13 min · Kaupakalua Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Hana Highway

    18.1 mi · 42 min · Hana Highway

  6. 6

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hana Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pukalani and Wailua.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
6 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hana Highway
18.1 mi · 67%
Kaupakalua Road
5.35 mi · 20%
Makawao Avenue
3.22 mi · 12%
Old Haleakala Highway
0.25 mi · 1%
Haahaa Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

Hana Highway

At the end of the road, turn right onto Hana Highway

18.1 mi · 00h 42m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
13 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Makawao
00h 31m from Pukalani
Leave By
4:26 PM HST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Pukalani and Scattered Rain Showers near Wailua.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pukalani to Wailua?

The road trip is about 27 miles (43.5 km) and usually takes 01h 02m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Makawao is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Pukalani and 13.5 miles from Wailua.

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

The direct path is about 13 miles (20.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.70 one way or $9.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pukalani and Scattered Rain Showers near Wailua.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pukalani and Wailua. Straight-line distance: 12.96 mi (20.86 km).

Pukalani

#1 Pukalani

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population7,574
Coordinates20.8366700, -156.3366700
Altitude465
CountryUnited States
Wailua

#2 Wailua

City in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population2,254
Coordinates20.8486100, -156.1363900
Altitude70
CountryUnited States
Start: Pukalani (-156.33667, 20.83667)
End: Wailua (-156.13639, 20.84861)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 43 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.95 gal
3.61 L · about $4.70
Round trip
$9.41
1.9 gal · 7.22 L
Estimated CO2
8.4 kg one way
Round trip: 16.9 kg / 37 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $4.70 $9.41
Mid-grade $5.34 $5.07 $10.14
Premium $5.57 $5.29 $10.58
Diesel $6.37 $6.05 $12.10

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Pukalani and Wailua. The current time is 18:41:33.

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.