Why rent a car in Hawaii
Find your ideal car: Use the search form above to instantly compare rental rates in Hawaii. Just enter your pickup location (airport or city), travel dates, and driver age, then hit “Search”. You’ll see real-time car availability and prices from multiple companies in one place. Book online in minutes with no prepayment required for most deals (pay at pickup), and enjoy confirmation sent to your email. Pro tip: Book early during peak seasons (summer and holidays), Hawaii car rentals can sell out fast!
Nestled in the Pacific, Hawaii offers stunning beaches, volcanic adventures, and lush landscapes, and the best way to see it all is by car. AirportVanRental makes it easy to book a Hawaii car rental by comparing deals from trusted suppliers across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Whether you’re landing in busy Honolulu or a smaller island airport, we’ll help you find an affordable ride so you can explore the Aloha State at your own pace. Enjoy competitive rates, a wide selection from economy cars to Jeeps and vans, and flexible options like free cancellation and unlimited mileage on most rentals. With your Hawaii rental car secured, you’re free to discover hidden waterfalls, surf spots, and scenic viewpoints whenever you want.
Why Book with AirportVanRental in Hawaii?
Compare Top Brands: Get the best deal by comparing offers from all major car rental companies in Hawaii as well as local specialists, all on one platform.
Best Rates & No Hidden Fees: We negotiate cheap rates and show the total price up front, no surprise charges when you pick up your car. Our transparent pricing and price-match policy mean you’re getting a great deal.
Unlimited Mileage Included: Drive all over the island with unlimited miles on standard rentals. There’s no extra per-mile cost, so you can circle the entire Big Island or cruise Oahu’s coastline worry-free.
Free Cancellation: Plans changed? Most Hawaii car rentals booked with us include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup. Enjoy flexibility in case your itinerary shifts.
Top Hawaii Car Rental Deals
Economy Car, from $30/day (e.g. Nissan Versa or similar). Perfect for zipping around town and sipping less gas.
Convertible, from $55/day (e.g. Ford Mustang convertible). Enjoy island breezes and panoramic views along Oahu’s coastal highways.
SUV, from $50/day (e.g. Jeep Wrangler or similar). Ideal for families or adventurers needing extra space, conquer Maui’s winding roads or the Big Island’s saddle road comfortably.
Rates based on recent searches, subject to change. Book early to lock in low prices. All prices in USD per day.
Hawaii Driving Tips
Traffic: Honolulu (Oahu) experiences heavy traffic during weekday rush hours, especially on H-1 and H-2 freeways. Plan around peak times (7–9am and 4–6pm) or use alternate routes. On other islands, roads are less congested, but drive patiently, local drivers embrace a relaxed “aloha” style.
Parking: In Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, parking can be scarce and often paid (look for public garages or hotel lots). Elsewhere in Hawaii, parking is generally easy and free, beaches, parks, and attractions usually have lots. Always lock your car and keep valuables out of sight, especially at trailheads or scenic spots, to discourage opportunistic theft.
Fuel: Gasoline is more expensive in Hawaii than the U.S. mainland. Fill up in town before long drives, on the Big Island, for example, gas stations can be far apart in rural areas. Also note that some remote areas (like Haleakalā summit in Maui or parts of Kauai) have no fuel stations, so start your journey with a full tank.
Road Conditions: Hawaii’s highways and main roads are well-maintained and clearly marked. However, some popular scenic routes are narrow and winding, for instance, Maui’s Road to Hana has one-lane bridges and sharp curves, and Kauai’s mountain roads can be steep. Drive slowly and use pull-offs to let locals pass if you’re holding up traffic. After rains, be cautious of wet or slick roads, especially on the east (windward) sides of the islands where rain is frequent.
Local Laws & Etiquette: Hawaii drives on the right-hand side of the road (same as mainland USA). Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, and children must be in proper car seats. It’s illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Embrace the island spirit: drive with aloha, yield for pedestrians, don’t honk unnecessarily (locals find it rude), and be courteous on the road. You may even hear locals refer to highways by name (e.g., “the Likelike” or “the Pali”); stay attentive to all road signs, which use Hawaiian names.
Road Trip Ideas in Hawaii
Oahu Circle Island Drive (~120 miles):Route: Honolulu → North Shore → Windward Coast loop. Start in Waikiki and head north via the Dole Plantation to Oahu’s famous North Shore (stop at Haleʻiwa town for shave ice and watch surfers at Banzai Pipeline). Continue east to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, then drive down the lush windward coast, passing Kualoa Ranch (film site of Jurassic Park) and the scenic Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Loop back toward Honolulu. Highlights: World-class surfing beaches, shrimp food trucks in Kahuku, and tropical valleys. Tip: Start early to beat traffic leaving Honolulu, and plan for a full day of exploring and beach stops.
Maui’s Road to Hana (64 miles one-way):Route: Kahului → Hāna via Hāna Highway (HI-360). This iconic drive is a must-do on Maui. Highlights: Navigate 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges through rainforests, you’ll pass countless waterfalls (like Twin Falls at Mile 2 and Wailua Falls near Mile 45), the famous Waiʻānapanapa State Park (black sand beach at Mile 32), and lush arboretums. Take your time to enjoy panoramic ocean vistas and quirky roadside stands selling banana bread. Tip: Prepare for a slow, leisurely drive (~2–3 hours each way without stops). Start at daybreak for fewer crowds, and consider staying overnight in Hāna to fully enjoy the sights. Always yield on one-lane bridges and honk around blind turns to signal your approach.
Big Island Volcano Adventure (~200 miles loop):Route: Kona (west side) → Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park → Hilo (east side) → Saddle Road return. Experience the Big Island’s diversity in one epic drive. Depart from Kailua-Kona in the morning and drive south along the coast (optional stop at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach to spot sea turtles). Arrive at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to explore Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcano overlooks; walk through the Thurston Lava Tube and see steam vents. Continue to Hilo on the east side, known for its lush rainforests and Rainbow Falls. From Hilo, take the Saddle Road (Route 200) back west, this high-altitude highway cuts between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, offering panoramic views of the volcanic landscape. Highlights: Active volcano craters, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and stark lava fields, all in one trip. Tip: Fill up on gas in Kona or Hilo (no stations on Saddle Road or within the national park). Pack a jacket, weather can range from hot lava fields to cool, windy saddle at 6,000+ ft elevation.
Quick Hawaii Car Rental Information
Popular car types: Economy, Convertible, Minivan, SUV
Major pick-up locations: Honolulu (HNL), Kahului Maui (OGG), Kona Big Island (KOA), Hilo (ITO), Lihue Kauai (LIH)
Top rental companies: Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Avis (and more)
Unlimited mileage: Included on virtually all Hawaii rentals (no extra mileage fees)
Driving in Hawaii: Right-hand side of road; no toll roads; remember to “drive with aloha”
Popular Hawaii destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan to explore beyond your resort or a single city area, renting a car is highly recommended in Hawaii. Each island’s attractions (beaches, volcanic areas, hiking trails, small towns) are spread out, and public transportation or shuttles are limited. With a rental car, you have the freedom to venture off the beaten path, catch a sunrise at Haleakalā, find a hidden Kauai beach, or sample shave ice in local neighborhoods whenever you like.
No. There are no car ferries between the major Hawaiian Islands, so you cannot take a rental car on a ferry from, say, Oahu to Maui or between any islands. You’ll need to rent a separate car on each island you visit. (Exception: there is a passenger ferry between Maui and Lana’i, but it doesn’t transport cars.) Plan your rentals island by island.
To find the cheapest car rental in Hawaii, follow these tips: Book early, especially for peak travel seasons (summer and holidays) when cars sell out quickly. Compare prices across companies on a site like AirportVanRental (we do this for you!). Opt for an economy or compact car, they’re usually the lowest priced. Also, consider renting from an off-airport location in Honolulu or other cities (sometimes cheaper than airport desks). Finally, avoid last-minute bookings, prices tend to rise closer to the pickup date.