Everyone In Hawaii Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive

Even though we can’t take a traditional road trip like our friends on the mainland, the Hawaiian Islands are home to several incredible scenic drives just waiting to be explored — and we can almost guarantee that our views are better. While we love Maui’s Hana Highway as much as the next person, today we’re taking you on a journey down one of the most underappreciated drives in the Aloha State that happens to also be one of the best scenic drives in Hawaii.

Whether you live on Oahu or are vacationing in Waikiki, it is a definite fact that the island’s leeward coast is severely underrated. It’s a true shame because this slice of coastline is home to some simply stunning beaches, incredible hiking opportunities, countless hidden gems, and one of the prettiest scenic drives in the Aloha State: Farrington Highway.

Farrington Highway meanders through West Oahu, beginning north of Kamehameha Highway north of Pearl Harbor, through Ewa and Kapolei, and up the coast before ending at Kaena Point State Park, the northwesternmost tip of the island.

In Ewa and Kapolei, Farrington Highway serves as an alternative to H-1, but once the freeway ends near Ko Olina, this road is the only access point to Waianae, Makaha, and beyond. I guess it’s a good thing that the views found on Farrington Highway are drop dead gorgeous.

Every single mile of this road will reward you with simply stunning views as you make your way up the coast, driving past beaches, mountains, rock formations, parks, cities, and more.

As you head north on Farrington Highway, you can look to your left to admire the sparkling blue waters of the vast Pacific Ocean…

...or to your right to take in the lush, verdant Waianae Mountains.

The round trip drive from where Farrington Highway meets with H-1 measures in at only 40 miles, but will take you at least an hour and a half depending on traffic.

Make a day out of it with a 5-mile hike within Kaena Point State Park and several stellar beaches, including Nanakuli, Makaha, and Yokohama.

There is truly no better way to spend an afternoon than soaking up the underappreciated natural beauty of Oahu's leeward coast along this route that's truly one of the best scenic drives in Hawaii.

Have you driven town Farrington Highway to Kaena Point State Park? What about Oahu scenic drive along the north shore? Share your favorite scenic byways in Hawaii with us in the comments below!