Kauai Drive Times, Tips and Road Etiquette
Getting around Kauai is fairly easy. Having a rent a car on Kauai is pretty essential unless you plan on staying put at your vacation rental or resort. A rental car is an affordable option for getting around Kauai that will give you the flexibility to explore the island on your own schedule. You can also use the Kauai Bus and Taxi Services as an optional mode of transportation.
The island is circular in shape with one main road connecting the North Shore and West Side of the island. You cannot drive completely around the island, the rugged and beautiful Na Pali Coast makes that impossible.
Use our Kauai Drive Time and Tip Guide to plan out your Kauai Vacation.
Drive through quaint coastal towns and rural upcountry neighborhoods while exploring Kauai's many Attractions, Beaches and Activities.
If renting a car sounds too ordinary you can always step it up by renting a convertible, exotic rental, 4wd Jeep or really be adventurous and rent a Harley Davidson and go home with a story.
Keep Kauai Green by renting a bike or taking the Kauai Bus. Every bit counts, especially on an island.
Rental car companies are conveniently located at the Lihue Airport across the street from the main terminal.It is a short shuttle ride to the depot. It is best to reserve your car in advance as cars have been known to sell out during peak seasons.
Kauai Driving Tips
Remember you are on vacation and driving on Kauai is not like driving on the mainland. Our roadways for the most part are two lanes with little or no shoulder. Please use caution and be respectful of pedestrians and bicyclist. Kauai is a small island community. Locals tend to be a little more relaxed and casual. It is our custom to show aloha including on the roads. It may be a small gesture of letting others in line ahead of us or slowing down to allow a waiting car onto the roadways. Honking is usually used only for the purpose of warning of hazards or danger, not to tell someone yo hurry up.
Traffic and Slowdowns
Like anywhere, Kauai experiences our share of traffic due to road construction, accidents, weather and just normal pau hana (after work) traffic. If you are driving and need to know what is happening on the roads, tune into Kong Radio. Traffic updates and advisories are announced as needed on 93.5 FM and on AM 570. Kappa traffic can be avoided by using the alternate bypass roads.
Show aloha and please don’t display anger on our roads. Take a deep breath and relax on your vacation. Remember to drive slowly and enjoy Kauai and all the beautiful attractions and views you Kauai has to offer.
One lane bridges
One lane bridges are mostly found on the north shore of the island from Hanalei to Haena. There are several one lane bridges you will need to cross. Local protocol is to proceed across the bridges5-7 cars at a time. Priority is given to vehicles that arrive at the yield first. Do not stop in the middle of the bridges and if a train of more than 7 cars is crossing, yield and let the waiting cars through.
Seat Belt and Booster Laws
Hawaii law requires the use of a seat belt, children till the age of eight or 80 lbs. are required to be in a child safety seat or booster.
Cell phone usage without a hands free device is prohibited.
Kauai is an island of friendly people with lots of Aloha. If someone slows down to let you in give a wave of appreciation and return the Aloha.
Drive Times and Distances on Kauai
|
From |
To | Miles | Approx. Time |
|
Princeville (North Shore) |
Waimea |
52 |
1hr 45 min |
|
Port Allen |
47 |
1hr 35 min |
|
|
Poipu |
40 |
1hr 25 min |
|
|
Kokee State Park |
67 |
2hr 24 min |
|
|
Lihue |
40 |
51 min |
|
|
Kapaa |
25 |
45 min |
|
|
Hanalei |
4 |
10 min |
|
|
Kapaa |
Waimea |
35 |
1hr 15 min |
|
Port Allen |
30 |
1hr 5min |
|
|
Poipu |
23 |
52 min |
|
|
Kokee State Park |
50 |
2hr 24 min |
|
| Lihue |
11 |
20 min |
|
|
Princeville |
22 |
50 min |
|
|
Hanalei |
26 |
1 hr |
|
|
Lihue |
Waimea |
25 |
52 min |
|
Port Allen |
20 | 35 min | |
|
Poipu |
13 | 25 min | |
|
Kokee State Park |
40 | 1hr 30 min | |
|
Kapaa |
11 | 20 min | |
|
Princeville |
28 | 45 min | |
|
Hanalei |
32 |
50 min |
|
|
Poipu (South Side) |
Port Allen |
14 |
30 min |
|
Waimea |
18 |
38 min |
|
|
Kokee State Park |
34 |
1hr 20min |
|
|
Lihue |
15 |
35 min |
|
|
Kapaa |
23 |
52 min |
|
|
Princeville |
40 |
1 hr 25 min |
|
|
Hanalei |
45 |
1 hr 36 min |
|
|
Waimea (West Side) |
Port Allen |
8 |
15 min |
|
Poipu |
18 |
38 min |
|
|
Kokee State Park |
14 |
34 min |
|
|
Lihue |
25 |
51 min |
|
|
Kapaa |
35 |
1hr 15 min |
|
|
Princeville |
52 |
1hr 45 min |
|
|
Hanalei |
56 |
2 hr |
| Kauai Car Rental |
Kauai Taxi | Kauai Bus |