A Guide to Driving Times and Distances on Upolu
Samoa‘s most visited island might take a few hours to get around, but with three roads that cross the island, it often doesn’t take too long to get to where you’re heading on Upolu. In addition, with breathtaking waterfalls and beautiful beaches to entice you along the way, there are plenty of reasons to break up the journey. Check out this guide to the travel times and distances on Upolu to see how quickly you can get between the island’s main waypoints.
3 Things You Need to Know About the Driving Times on Upolu
The driving times stated in the guide below take into account some of the following reasons your driving speed will be affected on Upolu:
- It takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to drive around the entire island on the Main West Coast Road, Main South Coast Road, Main East Coast Road and Richardson Road
- The speed limit on Upolu is 40 kph in villages and 55 kph everywhere else unless signed otherwise
- There are other hazards on Upolu’s roads to frequently slow down for, including animals, children, buses and traffic.
Needless to say, you’ll be driving at a slow speed on Upolu and will be taking it easy. Personally, that’s what we love about a road trip in Samoa! For more driving tips, see How to Drive in Samoa + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comHow Long Does it Take to Travel Around Upolu?
If you’re wondering how long it takes to travel around Upolu via a particular transport, then wonder no more!
How Long Does it Take to Walk Around Upolu?
It takes approximately 38 hours to walk around Upolu along the Main West Coast Road, Main South Coast Road, Main East Coast Road and Richardson Road.
How Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Upolu?
It takes approximately 15 hours and 30 minutes to cycle around Upolu along the Main West Coast Road, Main South Coast Road, Main East Coast Road and Richardson Road. Check out The Cycling Times & Distances in Samoa for more details.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Upolu by Car?
It takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to drive around Upolu along the Main West Coast Road, Main South Coast Road, Main East Coast Road and Richardson Road.
How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Upolu by Bus?
Due to erratic bus schedules and departures, it would be very difficult to use the local buses to get around the entire perimeter of Upolu in one day. There is no one bus that travels all the way around the island, so you’ll have to catch several buses to make this journey. Therefore, we estimate that it would take at least 2 days to travel around Upolu by bus, taking into account that buses only operate between 7 am and 5 pm unless the driver decides otherwise. See Upolu Transport Guide: 11 Ways to Get to (& Around) Upolu to learn more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDriving Times from Apia
The capital of Samoa and a hub of accommodations and attractions, most visitors to Upolu find themselves staying or travelling to Apia at some point during their trip. Apia is quite a sprawling town made up of tens of villages, but our travel time estimates are all from the central location of the Samoa Tourism Information Centre.
Apia to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 24 km / 15 mi / 36 mins
- Faleolo Airport – 30 km / 19 mi / 45 mins
- Mulifanua Wharf – 34 km / 21 mi / 50 mins
- Lefaga (Return to Paradise) – 37 km / 23 mi / 55 mins
- Maninoa (Sinalei, Coconuts) – 24 km / 15 mi / 35 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 48 km / 30 mi / 1 h 5 mins
- Lalomanu – 62 km / 39 mi / 1 h 21 mins
Which suburb should you stay in in Apia? Take a look at Where to Stay in Apia: The Best Accommodations in Apia.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDriving Times from Faleolo International Airport
Most travellers’ entry in Samoa, Faleolo International Airport is simply a handy spot to know your travel times from, whether you’re at the start or end of your trip. The airport is located on the northwest coast of Upolu with the closest accommodations being the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort, Transit Motel and Le Vasa Resort.
Faleolo Airport to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Apia – 30 km / 19 mi / 45 mins
- Mulifanua Wharf – 4 km / 2 mi / 4 mins
- Lefaga (Return to Paradise) – 24 km / 15 mi / 32 mins
- Maninoa (Sinalei, Coconuts) – 39 km / 24 mi / 48 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 66 km / 41 mi / 1 h 20 mins
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 54 km / 34 mi / 1 h 19 mins
- Lalomanu – 80 km / 49 mi / 1 h 39 mins
Find out more about travelling from Faleolo Airport in our 10 Best Airport Transfers in Samoa.
© Samoa Tourism AuthorityDriving Times from Mulifanua Wharf
If travelling to or from the island of Savai’i, you’ll need to know the location of Mulifanua Wharf and its ferry terminal. Only moments away from Faleolo Airport, as well as close to Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort, Transit Motel and Le Vasa Resort, the wharf is in a convenient spot for travellers doing some island-hopping.
Mulifanua Wharf to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Apia – 34 km / 21 mi / 50 mins
- Faleolo Airport – 4 km / 2 mi / 4 mins
- Lefaga (Return to Paradise) – 28 km / 18 mi / 37 mins
- Maninoa (Sinalei, Coconuts) – 42 km / 26 mi / 52 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 69 km / 43 mi / 1 h 24 mins
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 58 km / 36 mi / 1 h 24 mins
- Lalomanu – 83 km / 52 mi / 1 h 43 mins
Learn more about Mulifanua Wharf in our guide, How to Take a Ferry to Savai’i.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDriving Times from Maninoa
A holiday hotspot for resorts and beach fales, Maninoa and the neighbouring village of Si’umu boasts white-sand beaches, an expansive lagoon and properties like Sinalei Reef Resort, Coconuts Beach Club Resort, Ocean Club, Lupe’s Beach Fale and Maninoa Surf Fales. This central spot on the south coast with easy access to the Cross Island Road makes a convenient base for exploring the rest of the island.
Maninoa to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Apia – 24 km / 15 mi / 35 mins
- Faleolo Airport – 39 km / 24 mi / 48 mins
- Mulifanua Wharf – 42 km / 26 mi / 52 mins
- Lefaga (Return to Paradise) – 22 km / 14 mi / 28 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 28 km / 17 mi / 35 mins
- Lalomanu – 41 km / 26 mi / 54 mins
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 44 km / 27 mi / 56 mins
For more advice on the best location to stay on the island, take a look at Where to Stay on Upolu: The Best Upolu Accommodations.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDriving Times from Lalomanu
Revered as one of Upolu’s most beautiful beaches, Lalomanu is home to an assortment of beach fales, as well as alternative accommodations like Litia Sini Beach Resort, Aga Reef Resort and Taufua Beach Fales. Lalomanu is also in close proximity to Namu’a Island for day trips. On the downside, you couldn’t be further away from the rest of Upolu’s attractions or travel hubs.
Lalomanu to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Apia – 62 km / 39 mi / 1 h 21 mins
- Faleolo Airport – 80 km / 49 mi / 1 h 39 mins
- Mulifanua Wharf – 83 km / 52 mi / 1 h 43 mins
- Maninoa (Sinalei, Coconuts) – 41 km / 26 mi / 54 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 14 km / 9 mi / 19 mins
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 38 km / 24 mi / 46 mins
- Lefaga (Return to Paradise) – 63 km / 40 mi / 1 h 20 mins
Want to know how much this is going to cost you via taxi? Check out Taxis in Samoa: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comDriving Times from Lefaga
Tucked away on the southwest coast of Upolu, Lefaga is not only home to one of Samoa’s largest resorts, Return to Paradise Resort, but attractions like Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary and adventures with Lalotalie ECAT Ventures. Although quiet and away from the hustle and bustle, getting around from Lefaga can be quite challenging.
Lefaga to: (Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Apia – 37 km / 23 mi / 55 mins
- Faleolo Airport – 24 km / 15 mi / 32 mins
- Mulifanua Wharf – 28 km / 18 mi / 37 mins
- Maninoa (Sinalei, Coconuts) – 22 km / 14 mi / 28 mins
- Lotofoga (To Sua Trench) – 50 km / 30 mi / 1 hour
- Lalomanu – 63 km / 39 mi / 1 h 20 mins
- Faleapuna (Piula Cave Pool) – 65 km / 41 mi / 1 h 22 mins
Learn more about the island’s attractions and their locations in the 50 Best Things to Do on Upolu.
More About the Travel Times and Distances on Upolu
That’s it for the Upolu travel times and distances and how long it takes to travel around Upolu. For more travel times to get stuck into, check out the following guides, as well as more content about Upolu:
- Upolu Transport Guide: 11 Ways to Get to (& Around) Upolu
- What are the Flight Times to Samoa?
- The Complete Travel Guide to Upolu
Finally, plan a road trip using A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Upolu: East Coast Itinerary and A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Upolu: West Coast Itinerary.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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