How far is Waianae, HI from Kailua, HI?

The driving distance from Waianae, HI to Kailua, HI is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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
39.85 mi
01h 04m
Flight
28.73 mi
46.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waianae.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.73 mi
Kilometers
46.23 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.85 mi
Kilometers
64.14 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kailua
Sun, Apr 19, 5:39 AM HST
Return by in Waianae
Sun, Apr 19, 6:44 AM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waianae
2026-04-19T04:34
Arrive Kailua
Sun, Apr 19, 5:39 AM HST
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM HST

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

Leave by
4:20 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waianae
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
Pearl City
HI

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

From Waianae
19.9 mi
00h 32m
To Kailua
19.9 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Waianae Weather
HI
Live fallback forecast
81°F
Sunday
Using Mākaha as the closest live forecast in the Honolulu County weather hub.

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM HST
Wind
2 mph ENE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM HST
Wind
8 to 12 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waianae and Kailua.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waianae and Kailua.

  1. 1

    Start on Farrington Highway

    10.4 mi · 21 min · Farrington Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway

    12.9 mi · 17 min · Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward Kaneohe, Honolulu, Aiea

    1113 ft · 21 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I H3, HI 78 East: Kaneohe, Honolulu

    1.2 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue on John A. Burns Freeway

    13.1 mi · 19 min · John A. Burns Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward HI 65: Kailua

    2010 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Mokapu Road

    1553 ft · 44 sec · Mokapu Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Mokapu Boulevard

    1503 ft · 47 sec · Mokapu Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Oneawa Street

    559 ft · 25 sec · Oneawa Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Kainui Drive

    1969 ft · 56 sec · Kainui Drive

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Kainalu Drive

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Kainalu Drive

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Mookua Street

    540 ft · 31 sec · Mookua Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mookua Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waianae and Kailua.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John A. Burns Freeway
13.1 mi · 33%
Queen Liliʻuokalani Freeway
12.9 mi · 32%
Farrington Highway
10.4 mi · 26%
North Kainalu Drive
0.96 mi · 2%
I H3
0.75 mi · 2%
HI 65
0.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

John A. Burns Freeway

Continue on John A. Burns Freeway

13.1 mi · 00h 19m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.1 mi
28.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pearl City
00h 32m from Waianae
Leave By
4:20 PM HST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Waianae and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kailua.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waianae to Kailua?

The road trip is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Pearl City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Waianae and 19.9 miles from Kailua.

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

The direct path is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:20 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.98 one way or $13.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Waianae and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kailua.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waianae and Kailua. Straight-line distance: 28.73 mi (46.23 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Waianae

Census designated place in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States

Population13,177
Coordinates21.4378500, -158.1855500
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Kailua

#2 Kailua

Census designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

Population38,635
Coordinates21.4024100, -157.7405400
Altitude10
CountryUnited States
Start: Waianae (-158.18555, 21.43785)
End: Kailua (-157.74054, 21.40241)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.32 L · about $6.98
Round trip
$13.96
2.82 gal · 10.64 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $6.98 $13.96
Mid-grade $5.34 $7.53 $15.05
Premium $5.57 $7.85 $15.70
Diesel $6.37 $8.98 $17.95

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 Waianae and Kailua. The current time is 04:34:43.

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.