7 Great Road Trips to Take in Hawaii
Made up of hundreds of islands and islets, Hawaii is a state deep with culture, history, and incredible landscapes. Hawaii is consistently a top destination for tourists with its famed beaches, dramatic lush scenery, and aloha spirit. Road tripping Hawaii adds a layer of “off the beaten path” that travelers crave; from the scenic cliffs and waterfalls of Kauai to the black sand beaches of Punalu’u on the Big Island, the sights of Hawaii will provide a fulfilling road trip itinerary.
Honolulu to Waimanalo
Waimanaolo is a small village with road trip worthy beaches and sea turtle sightings for snorkelers. Sherwood Beach is a family favorite with white sandy beaches and availability of tent camping. To get there from Honolulu, travelers will head northeast on route 61. Even though the drive is just shy of 30 minutes, it can be extended with sights along the way like Kapena Falls, a tour of Quenn Emma Summer Palace, and stopping at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, which offers panoramic views of Oahu's windward coast. Hikers will love a midway, challenging trek at Pali Notches or the less strenuous Likeke Falls. Aiwi Waffles in Olomana will curb a worked-up appetite before heading south on route 72. Travelers looking to stay overnight on a budget can head to Bellows Field Beach Park. Waimanolo Beach offers a lengthy shoreline with less crowded, excellent views.
Honolulu to Ka’ena Point State Park
Oahu’s Ka’ena Point State Park is for the sunset lovers and nature enthusiasts. Ka’ena Point Trail is a well-loved spot to hike and view wildlife and tide pools. From Honolulu, drivers can get on Interstate H201 northwest bound, the whole drive will take just over an hour. Along the route, travelers can stop at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial before continuing on Interstate H1 to escape the city hustle and bustle. Just past Kapolei, travelers track off on Farrington highway along the western coastline of Oahu. Tracks Beach Park makes a great stop to walk along the sandy shores and access public restrooms or Nanakuli Beach Park with access to Mermaids Cave, a hidden coastal cave near Nanakuli Beach Park. Da Brazilian Braddahs food truck in Makaha is a nice spot to grab a quick lunch. Before making it to Ka’ena Point, hiking down Kaneana Cave is a must see.
Kailua-Kona to Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea, the white mountain, is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a popular destination for watching epic sunrises and stargazing tours. Mauna Kea has tours offered from Mauna Kea Summit Adventures that pick-up tourists directly from Kailua-Kona to take the guess work out of the trip. Alternatively, visitors can rent a jeep from Big Island Jeep Rental in Kailua-Kona and drive themselves up during available hours. The drive to Mauna Kea will take just under two hours. If arriving for sunrise, visitors should pack some snacks and plan to stop at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station for bathroom breaks and souvenirs.
Honolulu to Makapu’u Point
On the eastern shore of Oahu, Makapu’u Point is a favored destination for hiking and views; the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail is 2 miles roundtrip and offers an incredible back drop for pictures. This roadtrip is best suited as a morning adventure before crowds gather. Stop at Koko Head Café for brunch before completely leaving Honolulu and set off eastbound on route 72. Extend the trip with a hike to Koko Crater; a challenging ascent that leads to an overlook of the massive crater. After a substantial hike, travelers can head to Halona Blowhole Lookout and watch ocean water shoot 30 feet from a lava tube. A stop at nearby Sandy beach provides public restrooms and Good Truck with fruit bowls and healthy snacks. Once at the trailhead, visitors can park along Makapu’u Lighthouse Road and prepare for the 2 mile gorgeous hike!
Kapaa to Polihale State Park, Kauai
Polihale State Park is a 17-mile beach on the western shore of Kauai, it is believed to be a point of departure for souls heading to the spirit world in Hawaiian culture and offers unforgettable sunsets along the Pacific coastline. From Kapaa, travelers can start the day with sweet or savory croissants from Haole Girl Island Sweets heading south on Kuhio Highway. Kuhio Highway stretches south along the eastern shoreline with views of Wailua Beach before cutting southwest and turning into highway 50 after passing through the town of Lihue. Drivers can pass through the
, a naturally forming portion off the main route that forms a eucalyptus tree lined “tunnel”, with pull offs to stop for pictures. In Waimea, stop for a Banana Split shaved ice at JoJo’s Shave Ice in Waimea before continuing along the coastline and Kakaha Beach. Once at Polihale State Park, travelers can plan to tent camp for the night (4x4 recommended to access) and watch the sunset before drifting off to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves.
Wailea Beach to Haleakala National Park
Sunrises in Haleakala National Park give visitors an unforgettable experience. Permits are required and can be obtained from the National Park Service up to 60 days in advance. If early is not in the Hawaiian itinerary, visitors can still enjoy crater views mid-day. Sunrise bound, from Wailea Beach, travelers can head north on route 31 and eventually cut southeast through Pukalani and on to the winding road up to the Headquarters visitor center where visitors can park and watch the phenomenal sunrise. On the way back, a stop at Maui Alpaca is a fun Alpaca farm tour where visitors can feed the Alpacas and make a picnic out of it. Tours are also available to tourists who would like to take the driving out of the road trip and relax on the way up to the summit.
Honolulu to Haleiwa
The 45 minute road trip from Honolulu to Haleiwa is an excellent choice for surfers during the winter months or visitors looking for adorable shop fronts for unique souvenirs. From Honolulu, travelers will go northwest on Interstate H2, stop for Coffee and a snack at Kemo’o Coffee when passing through Wahiawa. Stock up on all thing surfing and beachwear at the North Shore Marketplace and get a Poke bowl at Poke for the People before setting out to Haleiwa Alii Beach for the day. Visitors can also book a shark tour through Haleiwa Shark Tours or a lovely sunset cruise with whale watching through North Shore Sailing Adventures.
Unforgettable Journeys Across Hawaii's Islands
Hawaii is a diverse set of islands with so many attractions and natural beauty to delve into. Whichever island visitors decide to spend their time on, there are endless opportunities for unforgettable road trips and picture views. From the bustling city of Honolulu to the serene beaches of northern Oahu in Haleiwa or adventuring from Kailua-Kona to the volcanos of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, there’s something for every traveler and road tripping attractions.
