i have been reading message boards concerning kauai and have read the island is 25miles long and 33 miles wide or vice versa anyway if this is true why does it take an hour to drive from poipu to waimea canyon? also have heard it takes nearly two hours to drive from poipu to north shore. what can the speed limits possibly be on the main highways? thank you

winding roads all over island. The only driving problem I have had on Oahu is that frequently people do not signal when turning. This is a little scarey when the state has very relaxed laws about children riding on highways in the back of pickup trucks. I do not even recall highways on Kauai just remember to give ample space to the person in front of you.

Dyan,
While it is true that the island is "only" 25x33, there are no direct routes or hiways on Kauai. It's all pretty much 2 lane road with an occasional passing lane.

Hope you don't get stuck behind a local and try and tailgate them into speeding up.
Not only is it rude, they may slow down just to tick you off!

Driving from Poipu to Waimea Canyon shouldn't take that long. Go up to Koloa and turn left onto 530. Don't go back up 520 through the Tunnel of Trees.

530 will bring you up to Rte 50 then left to the town of Waimea, about another 10-20 mins away, depending on traffic through Kalaheo, Eleele and Hanapepe.

I'd take a right on Waimea Canyon Drive near the high school, rather than going up to Rte 550, Kokee Rd. You can come down Rte 550 and go through an interesting little down of Kekaha.

The real reason it takes so long to drive only a few miles on Kauai?
It's so beautiful, why rush?

Kauai no ka oi

The roads are 2 or 4 lane country highways with cross streets and driveways entering. Also, the roads run along the outside of the island, and don't cut across.

also, be aware that there are speed traps, esp. on the way to waimea canyon, where the road is pretty straight and flat. so beware!

I might add that the KPD throws up DUI checkpoints from time to time.

Be careful if you're going to Polihale. They usually hide out along that long straightaway between Kakaha and Barking Sands looking for "drag racing" tourists.