The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in the town of Paia and ends in Hana Maui. Although it is a long journey from start to end the numerous attractions along the way make the trip well worth it. The road consists of multiple hiking trails, waterfalls, beaches and some of the most amazing food stands!
The trip to Hana will take you about 3 hours WITH NO STOPS! I learned that one the hard way. If you are planning to make multiple stops and do some of the hikes and swimming holes along the way then be prepared for the trip to take about 5+ hours just to reach the end point at the Haleakala State Park.
My total travel time with stops round trip took me about 10+ hours. If you attempt the Road to Hana, I would suggest making this your only activity for the day. Use the drive up to stop at the hiking trails and water holes, and then use your return trip to stop for dinner and any additional snacks.
Before you Go
Download the Gypsy Guide App. This app is neat because it links with your GPS, so it will tell you exactly when to look to the right or the left for the best views. Tip! Don’t drive too fast though, you may get ahead of the GPS and end up missing some of the mile markers.
Start Time
Start as early as possible. If you are attempting this trip, just remember the sooner you can start the better. I started this drive around 6:00 am and it was the best decision ever! The road was empty and all of the stops barely had any tourists. This meant easy access to parking and less crowded trails.
Best Cars to Drive
Let me preface this by saying you are can drive pretty much any car on the Road to Hana; however, since the road is known for its many twists and turns, there are a few cars that are best for tackling it. I’ve listed below 3 cars that were the most popular among those driving this area.
Convertibles – Convertibles in Maui are extremely popular. They are great because you can put the top down and enjoy the fresh air. I will say though that I rented a Camaro and although I loved everything about the car, once I hit the unpaved roads in Hana, I could feel every single bump. ($$$)
Jeeps – This was the second most popular car that I saw on the Road to Hana. If you rent a Jeep, then you will have no issues tackling that last leg of the road. ($$)
Compact Cars – One thing about MauI is that parking is tight! If you are not comfortable with driving a larger car or your budget is a bit tighter then a compact car will be your best route.
Parking
A lot of the stops are similar to pull off parking. I highly suggest that instead of just treating these stopping area like pull off spots, envision it like a parking lot, but without the lines. This will allow more cars to park, and you will be the most hated person when you return from exploring.
Best Hikes
Mile Marker 2 – Twin Falls
Mile Marker 9.5 – Waikamou Ridge Trail
Mile Marker 42 – Pipiwai Trail
Best Food Stops
There are so many great stops, so where do I begin??!
Mile Marker 2 – Twinfalls Food Stand
Mile Marker 29 – Nahiku Street Market – Order an iced Maui Latte and the pineapple coconut bread! Also try the BBQ!
Hana Farms – This was a cute little market in Hana. They had some fresh fruit and breads that were available for purchase. If you are from the Caribbean, I guarantee you will some exotic fruits that you will recognize.
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Best Beaches
Mile Marker 9 – Ho’okipa Beach
Mile Marker 31 – Wai’anapanapa State Park (Black sand beach – Reservations required)
Mile Marker 51 – Koki Beach
Best Waterfalls
Mile Marker 2 – Twin Falls
Mile Marker 22 – Pua’a Kaa Wayside Park
Mile Marker 45 – Wailua Falls
Mile Marker 42– Pipiwai Hiking Trail
Additional Tips:
Start with a full tank of gas. The trip starts in Paia and that will be the last time you will see a gas station until you reach Hana.
If you start early, bring snacks! Majority of the vendors will not be open if you start early, so pack snacks for the trip up. On your return trip, stop at as many food vendors as possible!
Honk your horn around corners! Road to Hana has many narrow twists and turns, so honking your horn helps to warm oncoming drivers. On some parts of the road, you will actually see signs telling you to honk.
Happy Traveling!