Traffic question

Question

Hi all, we are staying in north Kaanapali middle of September. Our flight home is at 10:30, and we want to get to the airport by 8:00 to return our rental car and get through tsa with hopefully little stress. I’m just wondering how much traffic to expect under normal conditions at the 7:00/8:00am time, and if we should plan on longer than an hour to get there. Thanks for your insights!

Answer

Driving from north Kaanapali to Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui in the middle of September is generally straightforward, but planning ahead is important to ensure you make your 10:30 a.m. flight stress-free. The distance from north Kaanapali to the airport is roughly 30–35 miles, and under normal conditions, the drive typically takes about 50–60 minutes.

Morning traffic on Maui is usually light compared to larger metropolitan areas, but there are a few factors to keep in mind:

Weekday mornings may have slightly higher traffic due to locals commuting from West Maui towns to central Maui or Kahului for work or school.
Tourist rental traffic is common, especially around major hotels in Kaanapali, so adding a 10–15 minute buffer is prudent.
Weather conditions can affect travel times; morning showers or mist in September are possible but usually light and brief.

To plan your timing effectively:

Leaving your hotel around 6:30–6:45 a.m. should provide a comfortable buffer for your 8:00 a.m. arrival at the airport.
Returning your rental car usually takes 10–15 minutes if lines are short, but during busy mornings at the airport, it can take longer.
Arriving by 8:00 a.m. allows about 2.5 hours before your flight, giving you ample time for check-in, rental return, and TSA security screening without rushing.

In summary, while traffic in September mornings is usually light and predictable, leaving around 6:30–6:45 a.m. is a safe plan. This accounts for potential minor delays due to tourist traffic, rental car return, or airport congestion. Planning this buffer ensures a stress-free departure experience and avoids any risk of missing your flight.