How far is Punalu‘u, HI from Wailea, HI?

The estimated driving distance from Punalu‘u, HI to Wailea, HI is about 138.3 miles (222.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.6 miles (178 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 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 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
138.29 mi
02h 52m · estimated
Flight
110.64 mi
178.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Punalu‘u.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.64 mi
Kilometers
178.05 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
138.29 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
222.56 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 02h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wailea
Sun, Apr 19, 7:10 AM HST
Return by in Punalu‘u
Sun, Apr 19, 10:02 AM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Punalu‘u
2026-04-19T04:17
Arrive Wailea
Sun, Apr 19, 7:10 AM HST
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM HST

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

Leave by
12:44 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Punalu‘u
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
Kualapu‘u
HI

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

From Punalu‘u
55.3 mi
01h 26m
To Wailea
83 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM HST
Wind
8 mph E
Destination
Wailea Weather
HI
Live fallback forecast
75°F
Sunday
Using Kēōkea as the closest live forecast in the Maui County weather hub.

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM HST
Wind
6 to 9 mph E

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 Punalu‘u and Wailea.

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 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
02h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.7 mi
110.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kualapu‘u
01h 26m from Punalu‘u
Leave By
12:44 PM HST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Punalu‘u and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Wailea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Punalu‘u to Wailea?

The road trip is about 138.3 miles (222.6 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?

Kualapu‘u is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.3 miles from Punalu‘u and 83 miles from Wailea.

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

The direct path is about 110.6 miles (178 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 12:44 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.16 one way or $48.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Punalu‘u and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Wailea.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Punalu‘u and Wailea. Straight-line distance: 110.64 mi (178.05 km).

Punalu‘u

#1 Punalu‘u

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

Population1,164
Coordinates21.5704500, -157.8755700
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Wailea

#2 Wailea

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population5,938
Coordinates20.6897300, -156.4419000
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Start: Punalu‘u (-157.87557, 21.57045)
End: Wailea (-156.4419, 20.68973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.88 gal
18.47 L · about $24.16
Round trip
$48.32
9.76 gal · 36.94 L
Estimated CO2
43.4 kg one way
Round trip: 86.7 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $24.16 $48.32
Mid-grade $5.34 $26.05 $52.10
Premium $5.57 $27.16 $54.32
Diesel $6.37 $31.07 $62.13

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Punalu‘u and Wailea. The current time is 04:17:49.

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.