12 Quick Road Trips In Hawaii You Can Take This Weekend

Whenever you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, you can head to any of the island’s charming small towns. These Oahu towns are full of old-world Hawaiian charm, history, adorable shops, and positively breathtaking views. From coastal communities to inland cities, this epic Oahu road trip measures in at 76 miles, just under two hours of driving time, and stops in eight of the island’s most charming and picturesque small towns — from Wahiawa to Hawaii Kai.

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As the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu boasts nearly 230 miles of stunning coastline. Oahu is also the most populated of the islands with nearly one million residents, which means that, unfortunately, many of the best beaches on the island are often crowded. Luckily, if you know where to look, you can still find hidden beaches across the island perfect for when you want to get away and truly soak in the beauty of our island paradise — without all of the crowds. We have put together a list of 10 incredible, secluded, and hidden beaches across this fine island — from the north shore’s Mokuleia to the west side’s Makua Beach — to create the ultimate hidden beaches road trip around the island of Oahu.

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Sometimes, you just need to hop in the car and drive with no particular destination in mind, and luckily for those of us who live on Oahu, there is a road that seemingly never ends. The road goes by quite a few names as it makes its way around the small island of Oahu — H-1 Freeway, Kalanianaole Highway, Hawaii Route 72, Kamehameha Highway, and Hawaii Route 83 as they meander in a large loop from Honolulu to Waimanalo, up the eastern coast to the north shore, and then back South through Wahiawa and Mililani.

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With more than 750 miles of coastline, one might assume that Hawaii is home to more lighthouses than any other state, but it’s not. And while that specific title is awarded to Michigan, the Hawaiian Islands are, in fact, home to some absolutely enchanting lighthouses. These six lighthouses found on Oahu’s coast are as dreamy as their surroundings and make for the perfect road trip. You’ll start your morning on Oahu’s windward coast for sunrise viewing Pyramid Rock Beach before heading around the southern coast of the island, visiting four breathtaking lighthouses, and ending your day at the Kaena Point Lighthouse for a stunning Hawaiian sunset.

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Everyone knows that Maui’s Road to Hana is one of the most breathtaking drives in the state — but did you know that the iconic highway features several different waterfalls as well, making it the perfect setting for the ultimate Maui waterfall road trip. We started at Waimoku Falls and Makahiku Falls along the four-mile round trip Pipiwai Trail, as it’s always best to hike first thing in the morning. If you aren’t up for the hike, you can simply start your waterfall road trip at the Oheo Gulch, or start the waterfall from the north side.

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Meandering through the beautiful countryside of Maui, on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, is a farm trail so incredible that it made Conde Nast Traveler’s "10 Food Trails Worth The Flight (and the Calories)." And while it may be simply because we are obsessed with Upcountry Maui, we totally agree that this trail is worth the effort it takes to get there. From famous farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants to organic goat farms and pineapple plantations, this magnificent trail will take you to eight of Maui’s greatest farms, all with a drive time of just over an hour, making it the perfect weekend trip if you live on Maui.

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Even though Maui is one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, there are many who never venture out of their resorts long enough to experience what the island truly has to offer. There are even fewer who experience the wild and unspoiled natural beauty that is the island’s northwestern shore.

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The eight main Hawaiian Islands are incredibly diverse, but the fourth largest island, Kauai, is easily one of our favorites. Kauai is the geologically oldest of the main islands and is often referred to as the "Garden Isle," thanks to the tropical rainforest that covers most of the island. It also just so happens to be the perfect setting for a dreamy weekend road trip. This dreamy road trip will lead you from the Alekoko Fishpond near the Lihue Airport to end of the road near Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, and includes two hours of drive time (one way) and stops at several of Kauai’s most picturesque settings.

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Kauai is the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago measuring in at 562.3 square miles. It is also the oldest of Hawaii’s eight main islands and is full of incredible sites to behold — from enchanting caves and vast canyons to picturesque beaches and incredible gardens. This quintessential road trip takes you to ten of the Kauai’s greatest attractions and can be easily adapted to suit your preferences.

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With Hawaii’s incredible volcanic history comes plenty of incredible lava formations, including lava trees, ancient lava tubes, and even volcanically-heated hot springs. And where better to experience these amazing volcanoes than on Hawaii Island with an epic road trip that takes you to nine of the islands’ coolest volcano-inspired spots? The entire route measures in at two and a half hours of drive time and 82 miles, and while the trip could be completed in one day, we suggest splitting this road trip into two days.

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From haunted roads to hotels with guests of the paranormal variety, Hawaii Island is home to various ghosts who have decided to make the island their permanent resting place in the afterlife. If you’re up for a spooky trip, check out this 9-stop terrifying road trip around Hawaii’s Big Island.

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Meandering across the northern tip of Hawaii Island from Waimea to Hawi, Kohala Mountain Road will transport you to another place. Known locally as "The High Road," this scenic road measures in at just under 20 miles — and is positively stunning the entire way, passing by rolling hillsides, ranchlands, and some pretty jaw-dropping vistas. You’ll also catch a glimpse of three of Hawaii Island’s major mountains as you drive up this winding mountain road to approximately 3,500 feet above sea level and descend into the artsy town of Hawi. With a population of less than 2,000, Hawi is a funky little town that offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of life in a bigger city — the perfect road trip destination.

For more information about this scenic drive, click here. And to learn about Hawi, click here.