Driving Waikiki to Kualoa Ranch tomorrow?

Question

Hello TripAdvisor friends. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and planning a driving tour and going to Kualoa Ranch tomorrow, Sunday, also the day of the Honolulu Marathon. We are due to pick up our rental car nearby from Enterprise at Discovery Bay at 8am. As we assume lots of people will want to get their car at the same time, we are hoping to leave there by 9am.

We plan to use the Guide Along app and wondered if our plan sounds reasonable? If we want to make a 1pm reservation at Kualoa Ranch, can we drive counter-clockwise on route 72 to see the views along the way? If we have time, we hope to stop at Byodo-In Temple and Hulu Huli for lunch. We want to enjoy and not be stressed by having to check the box for lots of places. Does this plan and time frame seem possible or should we take route 63 or 61 instead?

The next day, on Monday, we plan to drive to the North Shore with no specific time restrictions.

Thanks for all your guidance, tips, and suggestions.

Answer

Your plan to drive from Waikiki (Hilton Hawaiian Village) to Kualoa Ranch on a Sunday, especially the day of the Honolulu Marathon, is doable but will require some careful timing due to increased traffic and potential road closures along the marathon route. Picking up your rental car at 8am from Enterprise at Discovery Bay and leaving by 9am is reasonable, but give yourself some buffer time for paperwork and lines, as weekends and special events can slow things down.

For a 1pm reservation at Kualoa Ranch, here’s how your options look:

Route 72 (Kamehameha Highway, counter-clockwise): This route offers scenic views along the windward coast, including popular lookout points. It is a good choice for enjoying vistas, but be aware that traffic may be heavier due to the marathon, and stopping at multiple points (Byodo-In Temple, Hulu Huli for lunch) could make timing tight for your 1pm reservation. Estimate roughly 1.5–2 hours for the drive without stops; add at least 30–45 minutes for brief sightseeing stops.
Route 63 (Likelike Highway) or Route 61 (Pali Highway): These are more direct, faster inland routes. They may save time if traffic along the coast is heavy, but you will miss some of the scenic ocean views. These are better options if punctuality for your reservation is a priority.

Suggested approach for your itinerary:

Pick up your rental car early and leave a buffer for traffic; 8:30–8:45am pickup would give more cushion.
Use Route 72 if you want scenic stops, but limit your stops to 1–2 brief ones before Kualoa Ranch to ensure you arrive by 1pm. For example, consider skipping one of either Byodo-In Temple or Hulu Huli if traffic is slow.
Monitor traffic via Google Maps or Waze, which can account for marathon-related detours in real time.
Pre-order or reserve lunch at Hulu Huli if possible to save time, or have a light snack in the car.
For your Monday North Shore drive, without time constraints, feel free to take the scenic coastal routes (Route 72) and enjoy multiple stops, including beaches and local towns.

Overall, your plan is feasible, but on marathon day, flexibility is key. Prioritize either scenic stops or punctuality for Kualoa Ranch depending on your preference. Leaving some buffer time and keeping real-time traffic apps active will help you stay on schedule and enjoy the sights without stress.

Driving Waikiki to Kualoa Ranch tomorrow?

More Oahu Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions