How far is Wailua, HI from Waimea, HI?

The driving distance from Wailua, HI to Waimea, HI is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.2 miles (35.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
30.17 mi
00h 50m
Flight
22.21 mi
35.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wailua.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.21 mi
Kilometers
35.75 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.17 mi
Kilometers
48.55 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waimea
Tue, Apr 14, 1:00 PM HST
Return by in Wailua
Tue, Apr 14, 1:50 PM HST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wailua
2026-04-14T12:10
Arrive Waimea
Tue, Apr 14, 1:00 PM HST
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM HST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM HST

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

Leave by
4:50 PM HST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wailua
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
‘Ōma‘o
HI

City in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States of America

From Wailua
14.9 mi
00h 25m
To Waimea
15.3 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM HST
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE
Destination
Waimea Weather
HI
Live fallback forecast
81°F
Today
Using Hanapēpē Heights as the closest live forecast in the Kauai County weather hub.

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 9:00 AM HST
Wind
2 to 6 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Koki Road

    1469 ft · 1 min · Koki Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Haleilio Road

    625 ft · 22 sec · Haleilio Road

  3. 3

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

    3.6 mi · 7 min · Kuhio Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Kuhio Highway

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Kuhio Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Kaumualiʻi Highway

    22.9 mi · 34 min · Kaumualiʻi Highway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Ola Road

    552 ft · 31 sec · Ola Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Tsuchiya Road

    128 m · 19 sec · Tsuchiya Road

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tsuchiya Road

Car Route Details

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

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
8 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kaumualiʻi Highway
22.9 mi · 76%
Kuhio Highway
6.27 mi · 21%
Koki Road
0.28 mi · 1%
Haleilio Road
0.12 mi
Ola Road
0.1 mi
Tsuchiya Road
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Kaumualiʻi Highway

Continue on Kaumualiʻi Highway

22.9 mi · 00h 34m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
22.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
‘Ōma‘o
00h 25m from Wailua
Leave By
4:50 PM HST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Wailua and Scattered Rain Showers near Waimea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

‘Ōma‘o is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from Wailua and 15.3 miles from Waimea.

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

The direct path is about 22.2 miles (35.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 4:50 PM HST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.25 one way or $10.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wailua and Waimea. Straight-line distance: 22.21 mi (35.75 km).

Wailua

#1 Wailua

City in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States of America

Population2,254
Coordinates22.0527100, -159.3378100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Waimea

#2 Waimea

Census-designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

Population11,687
Coordinates21.9570700, -159.6689300
Altitude7
CountryUnited States
Start: Koki Road (-159.338422, 22.053603)
End: Tsuchiya Road (-159.668719, 21.957188)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 49 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.06 gal
4.03 L · about $5.25
Round trip
$10.50
2.12 gal · 8.06 L
Estimated CO2
9.4 kg one way
Round trip: 18.8 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.25 $10.50
Mid-grade $5.34 $5.66 $11.32
Premium $5.57 $5.90 $11.80
Diesel $6.37 $6.75 $13.50

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Wailua and Waimea. The current time is 12:10:28.

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.