Can You Drive Completely Around Oahu?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you drive completely around Oahu?

You cannot drive around the entire island of Oahu

, but the drive around most of the island can be covered in a long day drive.

Is it easy to drive around Oahu?

As the third-largest island in the state, Oahu is just over 40 miles long.

It is impossible to drive completely around the entire island as the road stops at the westernmost tip at Kaena Point

.

How long does it take to drive around all of Oahu?

An

eight to 12-hour

drive around Oahu can (and should) include ample beach relaxation, light hiking, historical and cultural “research,” a wee bit of adventure, and perhaps after-dark entertainment, such as a luau. Some travelers simply prefer to hop into a rental car and drive.

Is there a road around Oahu?


The roads you want to continue around Oahu are the Kahekili Highway or the Kamehameha Highway

. The latter follows the coastline, but first take the Kahekili Highway so you can pause at the tranquil and lush Valley of the Temples; there you’ll find a charming Japanese Buddhist temple called Byodo-In.

How is the drive around Oahu in one day?

How long does it take to get from one side of Oahu to the other?

Expect to spend about

one hour and 11 minutes

in your car once you get started. The commute is 37.4 miles, some of which is highway driving, but other roads are smaller, thinner, and less well-maintained. So, if you get a bit nervous around country roads, add another 30 minutes to your travel time.

How many days do you need in Oahu?

If Oahu is the only Hawaiian island you’ll be visiting, you’ll want at least

7-10 days

to explore the island. That will give you enough time to do a few day trips, take a few tours, check out the beaches, and have plenty of time to relax and unwind.

Can you drive around Hawaii in a day?

The Big Island makes up for more than half of the entire size of the state of Hawaii at just over 4,000 square miles—about half the size of New Jersey. Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and

driving around the entire island will take around eight hours

.

What is the best month to visit Oahu?

The best time to visit Oahu, taking into consideration the weather, demand for accommodations, and how crowded (or not) the island is – are the months of

early April, May, September, and early October

.

Can you drive from Oahu to Honolulu?

Honolulu is one of the cities on Oahu.

You cannot drive to other islands

.

What is driving like in Oahu?

Top Oahu Scuba Diving.

Oahu’s scenery is just as spectacular below the waves as it is above

. Certified divers can explore underwater caverns and shipwrecks, while everyone—from first-timers to dive instructors—can experience the island’s colorful corals, fish, eels, turtles, dolphins, and sharks.

Is driving in Hawaii easy?

Driving in Hawaii is

relatively straightforward

as roads are well signed and in good condition, particularly on the island of Oahu. Home to the tourist mecca of Honolulu, Oahu’s roads are the busiest and as such you’ll find several freeways here as well as the most developed roads in Hawaii.

How many miles is around Oahu?

Oahu is 44 miles (71 km) long and

30 miles

(48 km) across. Its shoreline is 227 miles (365 km) long.

Can you drive from Honolulu to Maui?

Renting a car is a great idea, but

you can’t drive to Maui from Honolulu because they’re on different islands

. Instead, you’ll either have to take a ferry (unfortunately, cars aren’t allowed on it) or an airplane. Both options take about 45 minutes each way and offer amazing views.

What highway goes around Oahu?


Kamehameha Highway

is one of the main highways serving suburban and rural Oahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Starting from Nimitz Highway near Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, it serves the island’s older western suburbs, turning north across the O’ahu Central Valley to the North Shore.

Do you need a car in Honolulu Hawaii?

Out of all the Hawaiian islands, Oahu has the most connected public transportation system and many of the island’s main sights are easily accessible by bus or a short taxi ride. Because of that,

you can have a good vacation without renting a car if you’re staying in Waikiki or Honolulu

.

Can you drive around Honolulu in a day?

You cannot drive around the entire island of Oahu, but

the drive around most of the island can be covered in a long day drive

.

What is the best way to get around in Honolulu?

  1. Renting a Car.
  2. The Bus.
  3. Taxi / Uber / Lyft.
  4. Trolleys.
  5. Bicycles.
  6. Scooter Rentals.
  7. Honolulu Airport Shuttles.

How long would it take to walk around Oahu?

Reading time:

10 minutes

. There are many ways to see Oahu but the most uncomfortable is to walk around its entire coastline alone. I know. I did it three years ago — trudging day after day for six days to circle Oahu’s 130-mile perimeter by myself.

Is Maui better than Oahu?

Maui vs Oahu:

Oahu is right for you

if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you’re looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.

Can you take a boat from Oahu to the Big Island?


There is no passenger ferry service

. How do you travel between Oahu and the Big Island? You must fly. There is no passenger ferry service.

Is Oahu worth visiting?


Oahu is definitely worth a visit

. Oahu offers an outstanding urban vacation experience with its world-class beaches, numerous cosmopolitan activities, affordable accommodation, and beautiful landscapes. From stunning beaches to vibrant nightlife and lush green mountains, Oahu has everything you could want.

Is it easy to drive to Volcano National Park?


Visiting the park by car is easy to do

. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.

Is Big Island drivable?


Almost all the roads on the Big Island are scenic in their own way

, but, as always, some are more special than others. Here is a map our favorite scenic drives on the Big Island. We tell you why they are so scenic and give you recommendations on where to stop on the way.

Can you drive to South Point Hawaii?

Just before the town of Naalehu, you’ll spot the turn off for South Point, marked with a green sign. South Point Road is a scenic, winding one-lane road, with room for only one car to pass at a time, so

drive slowly and with care

. From the turn-off, it’s about 10 miles to reach the cliffs.

What are the worst months to go to Hawaii?


December is the worst month to visit Hawaii

. Hawaii experiences a spike in visitors from mid-December to New Year, resulting in high accommodation, plane tickets, and rental car costs. December is also the wettest month of the year as temperatures cool across the Hawaiian islands.

What is the rainiest month in Oahu?


November

tops the wettest month list with 63mm (2.5in) of rainfall. Which is the driest month in Honolulu? June is the driest month with 12mm (0.5in) of precipitation.

Is Oahu too crowded?

The third largest island in Hawaii, and also the most populated, Oahu is home to approximately two-thirds of Hawaii’s population. And because of this, many people believe Oahu is entirely overrated –

it’s too crowded, too busy, too developed, etc.

Is it safe to drive around Hawaii?

Can you drive from Oahu to Maui?

Nope…

flying is the only way

. We always fly Hawaiian Air for best on-time flights…you will be flying into OGG, Kahului, so rent your car there.

Is it safe in Oahu?


Oahu is a relatively safe island

, but theft is common in tourist areas like Waikiki and Ala Moana. Keeping an eye on your personal belongings is strongly recommended, and valuables should never be left unattended at the beach or inside vehicles.

What is driving like in Oahu?

What highway goes around Oahu?


Kamehameha Highway

is one of the main highways serving suburban and rural Oahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Starting from Nimitz Highway near Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, it serves the island’s older western suburbs, turning north across the O’ahu Central Valley to the North Shore.

What is the best way to get around in Honolulu?

  1. Renting a Car.
  2. The Bus.
  3. Taxi / Uber / Lyft.
  4. Trolleys.
  5. Bicycles.
  6. Scooter Rentals.
  7. Honolulu Airport Shuttles.

How many miles is around Oahu?

Oahu is 44 miles (71 km) long and

30 miles

(48 km) across. Its shoreline is 227 miles (365 km) long.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.