Best Scenic Drives on Oahu: A North Shore Road Trip Guide

One of the best ways to experience Oahu is behind the wheel with the windows down. The island is small enough to circle in a day, but the drives — especially along the North Shore — are worth slowing down for. Volcanic ridgelines, turquoise water, roadside food trucks, and empty beaches that look nothing like Waikiki.

If you are planning a drive to the North Shore, here are the routes worth taking and the stops worth making along the way.

Pali Highway — The Dramatic Shortcut

Route 61 cuts straight through the Ko’olau Mountains from Honolulu to the Windward side. The road climbs through dense green ridges and opens up at the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout — a panoramic viewpoint where the trade winds hit so hard you can lean into them.

From the lookout you can see the entire Windward coast stretching north. On a clear day the view reaches all the way to Chinaman’s Hat (Mokolii Island) and beyond.

Drive time from Waikiki: About 20 minutes to the lookout. From there, connect to Kamehameha Highway heading north toward the North Shore.

Kamehameha Highway — The North Shore Run

This is the drive. Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) hugs the coastline from Kaneohe all the way around the northern tip of the island through Kahuku and down to Haleiwa. It is the only road in and out of the North Shore, and every mile of it is worth the trip.

What you will pass along the way:

• Kualoa Ranch — The valley where Jurassic Park was filmed. The mountains here are some of the most dramatic on the island. Read our guide to Oahu’s filming locations.
• Kahana Bay — A quiet, crescent-shaped beach with calm water and mountain views. Good for a quick stop and photos.
• Hau’ula — Home to our restaurant. A good place to fuel up before continuing north. Indoor and outdoor seating, a drive-through, and a full bar.
• Polynesian Cultural Center — In La’ie, about 10 minutes past Hau’ula. One of the most visited attractions on the island.
• Sharks Cove — World-class snorkeling in tide pools just off the highway. Our food truck is right here. Grab tacos after you snorkel — it is what everyone does.
• Sunset Beach and Pipeline — The famous surf breaks. During winter, the waves here reach 20 to 30 feet. During summer, the water is flat and swimmable.
• Haleiwa Town — The unofficial capital of the North Shore. Small shops, shave ice, galleries, and a harbor with sea turtles.

Tantalus Drive — The Hidden Honolulu Loop

If you want a scenic drive without leaving the city, Tantalus Drive (Round Top Drive) winds through a dense tropical forest just above downtown Honolulu. The road is narrow, shaded by banyan trees, and opens up to overlooks of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the harbor.

Drive time: About 30 minutes for the full loop. Best in the morning before the clouds settle in.

Farrington Highway — The Quiet West Side

Farrington Highway runs along Oahu’s west coast past Makaha and Yokohama Bay. It is less touristy, less crowded, and ends where the road literally stops at Ka’ena Point — the westernmost tip of the island. The sunsets out here are some of the best on Oahu.

Good to know: The road is not a loop. You drive out and come back the same way.

Tips for Driving Oahu

• Go early. Traffic leaving Honolulu heading north is heavy on weekends. Leave by 8 AM to avoid the crawl through the H-2 merge.
• Pull over for photos. There are plenty of scenic pullouts along Kamehameha Highway. Do not stop in the middle of the road — it is a two-lane highway and traffic moves fast.
• Check conditions. Winter rain can make mountain roads slippery. Summer is drier but hotter. The North Shore is slightly cooler and breezier than Honolulu year-round.
• Fill up your tank. Gas stations are spaced out on the North Shore. Top off before you leave town.
• Plan for a full day. The Pali Highway to Kamehameha Highway to Haleiwa loop can easily fill 6 to 8 hours with stops.

Eat Along the Way

Both of our locations sit right on Kamehameha Highway — the main artery of any North Shore road trip.

Stop at the Hau’ula restaurant on the way up the coast, or hit the Sharks Cove food truck after snorkeling or between surf spots. Both serve our full menu of Surfin’ Tacos, Beach Burritos, Gnarly Nachos, and more.

Explore more things to do on the North Shore and plan your full visit.