Driving Around the Islands
The thing most people don't realize when driving around is that while the islands are small, it can take a while to get to places. One big reason is speed limits. On the islands, the max speed is 60 MPH, and that is really only in certain areas of Oahu and the Big Island. On Kauai and Maui there are areas where it is only 45 MPH. Drive safely and pay attention to the speed limits! Police are more than happy to ticket you and put a damper on your vacation.
While driving, you'll definitely notice Hawaii is a beautiful place. And while it is spectacular, please be mindful of the road and fellow drivers on the island. If you want to see something, pull over and stop. If you notice a line of cars behind you, pull over and let them pass. The island is full of two lane highways and small roads that can get easily backed up. If you are traveling on a multi-lane highway, remember the far right lane is for slower traffic.
Rush hour goes from around 4 P.M. and ends around 7 P.M.
The main thing to remember when driving in Hawaii is plan accordingly. Give yourself a bit extra time to get there so you can enjoy the island.
Booking a Car
Every time we’ve booked a car on the island, we plan ahead and book with Hertz. We like them, they have a nice selection and are right there at the airport. But like most major cities, multiple national car rental companies are on each of the major islands. We suggest booking a car (and book it early) if you plan to explore the islands a bit. Peak travel seasons mean that car rental places regularly sell out or you have to pay more from smaller dealers. Nothing is worse than if you get to place and can’t get anywhere.
Visit Hertz
Please Note: The price of gas is usually high in Hawaii so it's a good idea to plan for that in your budget. (around of $2.96 USD/gal as of 12/15/2016).
Driving laws to look out for
These are pretty simple, but just to be sure, please remember while driving in Hawaii: