How far is Wailea, HI from Kailua-Kona, HI?

The estimated driving distance from Wailea, HI to Kailua-Kona, HI is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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
97.5 mi
02h 01m · estimated
Flight
77.99 mi
125.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wailea.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
77.99 mi
Kilometers
125.52 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
97.5 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
156.91 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kailua-Kona
Sun, Apr 19, 6:13 AM HST
Return by in Wailea
Sun, Apr 19, 8:15 AM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wailea
2026-04-19T04:12
Arrive Kailua-Kona
Sun, Apr 19, 6:13 AM HST
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM HST

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

Leave by
2:26 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wailea
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
Kapaau
HI

City in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States of America

From Wailea
39 mi
01h 00m
To Kailua-Kona
58.5 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
Kailua-Kona Weather
HI
Live fallback forecast
84°F
Sunday
Using Hōlualoa as the closest live forecast in the Hawaii County weather hub.

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM HST
Wind
3 to 7 mph WNW

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 Wailea and Kailua-Kona.

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 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
78 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kapaau
01h 00m from Wailea
Leave By
2:26 PM HST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Wailea and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kailua-Kona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wailea to Kailua-Kona?

The road trip is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?

Kapaau is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Wailea and 58.5 miles from Kailua-Kona.

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

The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 2:26 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.03 one way or $34.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Wailea and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Kailua-Kona.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wailea and Kailua-Kona. Straight-line distance: 77.99 mi (125.52 km).

Wailea

#1 Wailea

City in Maui County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population5,938
Coordinates20.6897300, -156.4419000
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Kailua-Kona

#2 Kailua-Kona

Census designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

Population11,975
Coordinates19.6401600, -155.9991200
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
Start: Wailea (-156.4419, 20.68973)
End: Kailua-Kona (-155.99912, 19.64016)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.44 gal
13.02 L · about $17.03
Round trip
$34.06
6.88 gal · 26.04 L
Estimated CO2
30.6 kg one way
Round trip: 61.1 kg / 135 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $17.03 $34.06
Mid-grade $5.34 $18.36 $36.73
Premium $5.57 $19.15 $38.29
Diesel $6.37 $21.90 $43.80

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 Wailea and Kailua-Kona. The current time is 04:12:11.

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.