Island-hopping in the Pacific
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Hawaii Paradise
Oahu to Maui
Oahu and Maui sit about 187 km (116 mi) apart in a straight line, with Maui to the east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Hawaii Paradise itinerary, a 10-day trip. This one most likely involves a water crossing, so check flight schedules early.
- Straight-line distance
- 187 km · 116 mi
- Est. road distance
- Water crossing likely
- Est. drive time
- Not estimated
- Direction
- Heading east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
This leg most likely crosses water, so we don’t estimate road distance or drive time. Check ferry or flight schedules for the actual crossing.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By plane
This leg most likely crosses open water, and our Hawaii Paradise guide mentions flights between the islands, so a short flight is worth checking. Leave time for airport transfers on travel days.
Short inter-island flights connect Maui, Oahu and the Big Island, so build in airport time on each transfer day. On every island a rental car gives the most freedom, though Waikiki and central Honolulu are easy without one.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Maui
Give Maui 3–4 days: one for Haleakalā sunrise, one for the Road to Hana, and time for snorkeling and Paia.
Haleakalā National Park
Watch sunrise from 10,000 ft above the clouds, then hike into the crater.
Road to Hana
Winding coastal drive with waterfalls, bamboo forest and lookouts.
Mama's Fish House
Oceanfront Kuau restaurant that names the fisherman who caught your fish.
Maui Brewing Co. Kihei
Big brewery taproom and restaurant pouring Bikini Blonde and coconut porter.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
Short paved walk to view the 1,200-ft ʻĪao Needle in a green valley.
Twin Falls
Easy farm-trail walk to swimmable waterfalls at the start of the Hana drive.
Before you leave Oahu
Base in Waikiki for 3–4 days: one day for Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head, one for snorkeling, one for the North Shore.
On this curated route
Where Oahu → Maui sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Maui to Oahu is the same 187 km in a straight line, heading north-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Maui averages highs 5°C cooler than Oahu. Over a year, Oahu gets about 150 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu high | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 24° |
| Maui high | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 21° |
| Oahu rain | 71 | 82 | 94 | 54 | 47 | 37 | 40 | 44 | 50 | 73 | 86 | 93 |
| Maui rain | 61 | 63 | 83 | 47 | 37 | 28 | 32 | 40 | 38 | 55 | 65 | 71 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Maui month guides.
Oahu to Maui: questions travelers ask
How far is Oahu from Maui?
Oahu is about 187 km (116 mi) from Maui in a straight line, with Maui to the east. The trip most likely involves a water crossing, so the distance you actually travel depends on the ferry or flight route.
How long does it take to drive from Oahu to Maui?
We don't estimate a drive time for this one: it most likely crosses water, so check flight schedules before you plan the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Oahu to Maui?
Our Hawaii Paradise itinerary includes this leg. Hawaii Paradise runs about 10 days across 3 stops, best in Apr – Oct.
Onward from Maui
- Maui to Big Island 156 km
Guides for both ends
- Oahu travel guide
- Oahu weather best time to visit
- Maui travel guide
- Maui weather best time to visit
Maui by month
Plan Oahu → Maui with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.