The Best Hawaii Road Trips: 12+ Beautiful Scenic Drives to Take

(Last Updated On: August 8, 2022)

Hawaii is a gorgeous state with many scenic drives on all of the islands. No matter how long or short, there are so many amazing Hawaii road trips to choose from that take you to picturesque locations with sweeping views. The following are some of the best Hawaii road trips on the various islands that can be added to any Hawaii itinerary.

The Best Hawaii Road Trips on Oahu

Haleiwa to Kailua

Palm Trees along a road in a valley. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Luke of Wild About BC

The road from Haleiwa to Kailua is one of the best Hawaii road trips. It takes you along the North Shore of Oahu and then down the east coast of the island. This road trip will take you right along the coast almost the entire trip and you will get to enjoy some seriously epic scenery along the way. Start in the town of Haleiwa on the North Shore and end in the Kailua, which is home to Lanikai beach, one of the best beaches on the island. This is a 46-mile trip and can be completed in one action-packed day or split into two more mellow days of exploring.

There are seemingly endless amazing places to stop, starting with Banzai Pipeline. This beach is famous for having some of the best waves in the world and in the winter especially, you will get to see some of the world’s best surfers riding waves here. On the east side of the island, you will find Kualoa Regional Park which is where some of the original Jurassic Park was filmed. The rugged mountains situated next to the beautiful blue water are incredible. Another amazing stop is Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The short road into the park is spectacular as more of the deep ridged mountains that are synonymous with the Oahu tower above you.

While these are some of the highlights of this road trip there are loads more great places to stop and discover for yourself and you will have an incredible day exploring this spectacular part of Hawaii.

Kamehameha Highway

People sitting on a beach under a tree. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Sydney of A World in Reach

Oahu is full of so much beauty, and one of the best ways to see all of what the island has to offer is by taking a road trip! A great route to see the best of Oahu is to take the Kamehameha Highway from Honolulu up to the North Shore and back around the windward side of the island to Kailua. From there, you can take the scenic Pali Highway back to Honolulu.

This entire trip takes just under 3 hours, so this road trip is completely possible to do as a day trip. Or if you would prefer, you can break it up into a few days, spending a night or two up on the North Shore.

The Kamehameha Highway begins just outside of Honolulu near Pearl Harbor, which makes for a perfect first stop on your road trip. After visiting Pearl Harbor, head North on the Kamehameha Highway. After about 40 minutes of driving, you will reach Oahu’s North Shore. Do not just drive non-stop though! Make sure to stop by Dole Plantation to enjoy a Dole Whip.

Eventually, you will reach Haleiwa, the main town on the North Shore. Do not miss a visit to Giovanni’s Shrimp Trunk for a delicious plate of garlic shrimp or Matsumoto’s for the island’s best shave ice. The North Shore is home to great beaches like Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay as well as some of the best hikes in Oahu like the Waimea Valley Trail.

Up next, head down the Kamehameha Highway to Kailua, stopping at spots like the Polynesian Cultural Center and Kualoa Ranch. Spend some time exploring Kailua and hanging out at Kailua Beach Park before heading back to Honolulu via the Pali Highway. Do not forget to stop at the Pali Lookout for gorgeous views, thus making this one of the best Hawaii road trips.

The Best Hawaii Road Trips on the Big Island

Pepe’ekeo Drive

Trees along a waterfront. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Sarah of Cosmopoli Clan

The Pepe’ekeo Drive is one of the best Hawaii road trips on the Big Island. It is a scenic road trip on the windward side of the Big Island of Hawaii and one of the best Hawaii road trips. It is a short drive, no more than 4 miles, but sensationally spectacular. As the name suggests, it is located in the town of Pepe’ekeo, just north of Hilo.

Follow Highway 11 and, after the 7-mile marker, look for the sign that says “scenic road”. This is the Pepe’ekeo Drive that basically follows the Old Mamalahoa Highway, crossing several one-way bridges, meandering the tropical landscape, and hugging the scenic Onomea Bay until it reconnects to Highway 11, somewhere between mile markers 10 and 11. The road, lined with Alexandra palms, banana trees, and mango trees, is narrow but you can pull off at some unofficial viewpoints.

About mid-way through this drive is one of the most popular Big Island attractions: the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, where you can discover over 2,000 species of tropical plants as well as the three-tiered Onomea Falls. Around the gardens, there is a state trail that leads hikers to a gorgeous cove. It connects to the Donkey Trail, which was originally used to transport sugar cane from the uphill mill to the bay, from where it was exported. The vegetation that Just a bit further down the road, there’s the What’s Shakin’ food shack that serves the most tasteful wraps and exotic smoothies.

Volcanoes National Park

Smoke bellowing from a volcano crater. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Noel of Visit California and Beyond

The Big Island is a great place to do a road trip because of the size of the island and it has some of the best Hawaii road trips. One of the most scenic places to explore in the area is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the largest attraction on the island.

From Kona, the distance is about 83 miles or approximately two hours to get to the entrance of the park. You can do this as a day trip but to see and do more, stay few days in Volcano Village close by and have more time to visit the park and also the east side of the island. You can also continue to visit Hilo for a few more days to extend your visit to the east side of the island. The road trip is beautiful covering coffee country, desert lava fields, lush forest areas, and the stunning coastlines closer to the park areas until you enter the park grounds and see the highlights of the area.

The park itself has a lot of stunning views, hiking areas, and the gorgeous Kilauea volcano to visit along with the many observation areas and hikes around the national park. Start with going to the visitors center to grab a map and get acquainted with the highlights to visit that day or tours you can sign up for.

In the park itself, you can opt to journey along the scenic Chain of Craters Road. Along the way, stop at the steam vents, the main observation viewing area, the Thurston Lava Tube, and the petroglyphs at the bottom of the Chain of Craters Road. At the end of the Chain of Craters Road, you will see the inspiring Holei Sea Arch and a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Puna Coast

Trees surround a road. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Sumeeta of Sumeeta Seeks

One of the best things to do on Big Island Hawaii is a coastal road trip. One of the greatest road trips is the little-known secret road on the east side of the Big Island in the Puna district. Locals know about it, but you will not find it in any of the guidebooks or travel blogs. 

Which is all the better because the Kapoho Kalapana Road (Route 137), more commonly known as the Red Road, is truly something special. At just over 15 miles, it is a short road trip that will only require a day to explore. But be sure to give it a full day so you can stop and enjoy the destinations along the way and really soak in its scenic beauty.

The road curves along the coastline, and above it trees form a majestic tunnel with dangling vines. This one-lane road winds past beautiful lookout points, remnants of eruptions past, and black sand beaches. Start at Kaimu Beach Park and drive the road all the way until you reach Isaac Hale Park. 

Take your time to stop at the special lookouts and spots along the way, including the Kaimu farmers market (where you can fuel up before the ride), Kehena (clothing optional) black sand beach, and the Kapoho tide pools. 

Once you get to Isaac Hale Park, the road comes to an end where mounds of dried lava from the 2018 eruption overtake the road – a stark reminder that the landscape here is constantly evolving. Be sure to fill your tank before you begin as there are no gas stations on the road, and take plenty of snacks and water.

The Best Hawaii Road Trips on Maui

The Road to Hana

A waterfall amongst trees on the Road to Hana in Maui. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Karee of Our Woven Journey

The Road to Hana in Maui is one of the most well-known drives in all the world and one of the best Hawaii road trips. The road begins in the Paia area on the East side of the island and consists of over 600 twists and hairpin curves and more than 50 (mostly one-way) bridges. Many people drive to the community of Hana and then turn around and go back the same way, while others continue all the way around the island. There is much to see if you continue on around but be prepared for some extremely bumpy roads if you go that way.

There are a few things to know before you go that will make your trip more pleasant. If you or anyone in your group gets car sick, you will want to be sure to bring Dramamine to help with it. There are also very few places to stop along the way, so you will want to plan ahead and pack snacks and water for the day. 

Most people take 10-12 hours to make the drive, including all the stops along the way. You will want to get an early start so you are not driving back in the dark, missing the amazing views along the way! Also, be sure to gas up your vehicle before you begin since there’s only one place to get gas on the Road to Hana and it is expensive.

There are more than a dozen waterfalls along the way, beaches to stop at, rainbow eucalyptus trees and volcano tubes to explore. One of the most popular hikes is Pipiwai Trail where you’ll pass through a beautiful bamboo forest on the way to Waimoku Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls on Maui. 

For anyone spending more than a few days on Maui and wanting to take a break from the beach, exploring the Road to Hana is definitely an adventure worth considering!

West Maui Road Trip

A sidewalk and shops along a beach. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Jess of I’m Jess Traveling 

One of the best ways to explore West Maui and one of the best Hawaii road trips is by jumping in the car and driving the one road that takes you around the Western part of the island. Along the way, you will be greeted with charming towns and ocean views thus making it one of the best Hawaii road trips. 

To begin driving the West Maui loop you will start at Ma’alaea Harbor and end once you hit the town of Waihee.  The entire loop is 50 miles long. Much like the iconic road to Hana on the East side of Maui, parts of the road become one lane and drive along the side of a cliff so although this road trip is only 50 miles long, it takes several hours to drive.  

You can complete this road trip in one morning or an entire day depending on how many places you stop and spend time at. I recommend carving out a whole day to enjoy this activity as there are tons of incredible places to stop, admire and enjoy.  

A few of the top stops while driving West Maui are:

  • Lahaina town – a historic whaling village that has a lively main drag full of boutique shops, art galleries and must eat restaurants and bars.
  • Kaanapali Beach – one of Maui’s most beautiful beaches.  Here you can enjoy world class snorkeling, cliff jumping, and swimming
  • Honolua Bay – one of Maui’s premier surf spots.
  • Nakalele Point & the blow hole – Maui in all her glory.
  • Waihee ridge trail – one of Maui’s best hiking trails.  

Exploring West Maui on a road trip is a perfect excursion for adventure, beaches and to get to see a side of Maui that is unlike the rest.  

East Maui 

WAter crashing upon a rocky beach. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Daria of The Discovery Nut

Most tourists who come to Maui put the spectacular Hana Highway on their bucket list, and there’s little surprise here: Hana Highway is one of the most beautiful places not only in Maui but in all of Hawaii. It is one of the best Hawaii road trips.

The Maui Highway is a 60-mile stretch with tons of stunning overlooks and hairpin turns. While this highway is fully paved, portions of it include a very narrow 2-lane road with sharp drop-offs, which is why this trip is better suited for experienced drivers. It’s not uncommon to have to back up on a narrow single-lane road when you have an incoming vehicle and have very little space to maneuver.

If you have what it takes, you might want to spare some time for this drive since it takes on average between 4 and 5 hours to complete this drive. For better experience, I recommend driving this Highway clockwise. 

The road gets more twisty as you keep going this way, so you will have enough time to get used to everything. If you don’t feel comfortable you can turn around in Kahakuloa, a small village that has enough space for you to make a u-turn. 

Among the top stops along the way are Nakalele Blowhole, Olivine Pools, Honolua Bay and Dragon’s Teeth. The drive begins in Wailuku and ends past Kaanapali. The main advantage of this trip is that it has a lot less traffic and fewer tourists than the more popular Hana Highway.

Haleakala Sunrise or Sunset

A view of the clouds from Haleakala. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Dee of Well Worn Heels 

Experiencing sunrise or sunset on Haleakala is a must-do while in Maui. Haleakala means ‘house of the sun’ in Hawaiian. It is a dormant volcano with one of the world’s largest volcano craters. The National Park Service requires reservations in advance to enter the summit between 3:00 am and 7:00 am daily. This reservation costs $1.50 and can be made up to 60 days in advance. No reservation is required for sunset visits. The summit entrance fee is separate from the park entrance fees.

The length of the drive depends on where you are located in Maui and can be up to a 3.5-hour drive. Visitors drive up to the Park Visitor Center at 7,000 feet and then continue driving up to the Haleakala visitor center at about 9,700 feet. The drive up the winding road from the park entrance to the summit takes about another hour.

Plan at least a half-day or longer depending on other planning activities. Visitors that want to can hike, bike, horseback ride, skywatch, camp, or see endangered species. Haleakalā National Park has the highest number of endangered species of all the National Parks.

Viewing sunrise or sunset on Haleakala is an out-of-this-world experience, almost spiritual. It provides a rare opportunity to stand in the sun and take in arguably one of the best sunrise or sunset views in the world. The trip to Haleakala is one of the best Hawaii road trips.

The Best Hawaii Road Trips on Kaui

South Shore to the West Shore

A road winding through a green area along the coast. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Marcie of Hawaii Travel with Kids

One of the best Kauai road trips to take is from the South Shore to the West Shore. Start off in the resort town of Poipu. Just a few miles outside of town is the largest coffee plantation in Hawaii: Kauai Coffee Company. Try some samples and do a self-guided tour of the plantation. 

After you are properly caffeinated, opt to explore Poipu. There are tons of things to do in Poipu, including shopping, snorkeling, and hiking, but the most famous Poipu attraction is Spouting Horn. It is a blowhole that makes a fun photo spot. 

From there, you will continue on until you reach Hanapepe, Kauai’s “biggest little town.” It really is tiny and the main reason you will want to stop is to see all the cute street art. There are also some galleries, boutiques, and cute cafes. 

When you are done exploring, hop back into your car and drive up the switchback road to get to Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” There is a parking lot and a large viewing area that is perfect for walking around. If you are feeling adventurous, there are tons of hiking trails around Waimea Canyon that are worth checking out. 

You can end your trip here, or continue driving up to the Kalalau Lookout and then even further to Kokee State Park. These are high altitudes and the weather is pretty chilly up there. The whole trip is only 28 miles from Poipu to Waimea Canyon, but with all the stops, it is a full-day adventure on Kauai and makes for one of the best Hawaii road trips. It is a great way to see the Pacific Ocean, a huge canyon, and the forests of Kauai all in one day.

Kapaa to Haena State Park, Kauai

Waves crashing on a beach with rocks. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Nikki of She Save She Travels

One of the best Hawaii road trips is on the small island of Kauai, from Kapaa to Haena State Park. It covers just 30 miles of road, but with all the amazing things to do in Kauai, it could easily take you a full day exploring this stretch of road. Wear a swimsuit and grab your snorkel gear or hiking shoes, as this is an adventure trip!

On the east side of Kauai is Kapaa, known for its trendy art scene, boutique shopping and fabulous restaurants. Start your day with an amazing breakfast and coffee at Java Kai in Kapaa. Their acai bowls are simply amazing!

Hop in the car and get ready to see amazing ocean, valley and mountain views. Not to mention stunning beaches! Just a few minutes north of Kapaa is Anahola Beach. It’s a great spot for a dip in the water or just to soak in some beautiful coastal views.

Back on the road, just before you get to the Kilauea Lighthouse is the turn for the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park. A beautiful nature center available for tours, you can enjoy the ponds, gazebos, waterfalls, vibrant plants and lush landscape.

Next, you could stop at the Kilauea Lighthouse for a quick tour. Or, a more adventurous way to see the lighthouse is to hike down to the Secret Beach (Kauapea Beach). It’s about a mile round trip. You will likely see big waves and strong surf as you’ve officially made it to Kauai’s North Shore.

If you are traveling with kids, Anini Beach is a must-see next. Known for super shallow water and minimal waves, this is a great spot for little ones. Just past Anini Beach is the Hanalei Valley Lookout. It’s a quick stop but well worth it to hop out of the car and marvel at the majestic mountains in Kauai. So stunning!

One of the top things to do on this Hawaii road trip is to check out the Hanalei Bay Pier. It’s an iconic sight on the island of Kauai, and one that absolutely cannot be missed! Swimming is possible on calm days, and generally best near the pier. But the surf can be rough so do take caution!

One of the last stops on this trip is Tunnels Beach. It is a bit tricky to find parking, but if you can snag a spot, you will get to one of the best snorkeling in Kauai! With a large reef system just off the beach, the waves are minimal and the snorkeling is phenomenal! Do bring your own snorkeling gear though, as there is no services to rent gear nearby.

The last stop on this road trip is Haena State Park. If you are into hiking, a reservation can be made in advance to hike the first 2 miles of the famous Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai Beach. It takes 2-3 hours round trip. The trail is along the majestic NaPali Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the entire world! 

The Best Hawaii Road Trips on Other Islands

The Halawa Valley Road Trip on Molokai

Two people at the base of a waterfall. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

By Casandra of Karpiak Caravan 

Would you like to road trip across a Hawaiian island that is not crowded with tourists and experience Hawaiian life as it used to be? If you are an adventure seeker and enjoy exploring far away from the crowds, Molokai has the perfect road trip for you and one of the best Hawaii road trips.

Molokai is the fifth largest Hawaiian island and boasts the tallest sea cliffs in the world. One end of the island is a wet, rainforest climate while the other end is arid with scrub vegetation and rich red soil.

This road trip begins in the center of the island in the main town of Kaunakakai. From there you will head east to the Halawa Valley ending with a hike to the glorious Moa’ula Falls. The road trip is 28 miles on the scenic and historic Kamehameha V Highway and many of the best things to do on Molokai are found here. This road trip will take roughly 4-5 hours which includes the hike to the falls and back.

Along the way, you will see 60 rock-wall fishponds that were built hundreds of years ago and are still in use today by locals to catch fish. You will pass Murphy Beach and Sandy Beach which are located right next to the road so do not hesitate to pull over and enjoy the white sand beaches that Molokai is known for.

Towards the end of the drive, as you get closer to the Halawa Valley, the road becomes twisty and there are a few hairpin turns and switchbacks that may make even the most seasoned traveler a little queasy. But it is worth the effort as the landscape changes to dense foliage and you begin the hike to Moa’ula Falls. You can swim at the base of the falls which feels so refreshing at the end of this Hawaiian road trip to paradise.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for each of the Hawaiian islands. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them. Click below for the Shaka Guide for each island. 

Hawaii is an amazing place to explore and has some of the best road trips. You can spend several weeks seeing what each island has to offer. Interested in other United States road trips? California, Washington/Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas also have some amazing options.

Some of the best Hawaii road trips are on the Big Island and Maui but all of the islands have a ton of amazing scenery and area to explore. Molokai, Kauai, and Oahu also have some scenic drives. Classics like the Road to Hana and the Chain of Craters road are a must but there are also some hidden gems. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland
Some of the best Hawaii road trips are on the Big Island and Maui but all of the islands have a ton of amazing scenery and area to explore. Molokai, Kauai, and Oahu also have some scenic drives. Classics like the Road to Hana and the Chain of Craters road are a must but there are also some hidden gems. #hawaiiroadtrip #hawaiisites #oahu #kauai #maui #bigisland

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