Road to Hana (Maui)
Visitor Guide to Maui's Legendary Drive
⏱ Full day👤 All ages$
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Carved into Maui's rain-soaked northeastern coast, the Road to Hana strings together everything lush about Hawaii: roadside waterfalls (Twin Falls, Upper Waikani/Three Bears, Wailua Falls), the painted eucalyptus and bamboo groves, the Keanae Peninsula's taro fields and crashing lava coast, fruit stands selling famous banana bread, and finally Hana — a small town that has kept old Hawaii's pace. Just beyond lies Waianapanapa State Park, whose black-sand beach and sea caves now require advance timed reservations for non-residents; book before you go.
Strategy makes the day. Leave early (by 7am) to stay ahead of the convoy; fuel and snacks start in Paia, the last real town. The bridges are one lane — yield graciously, use pull-offs to let locals pass, and never stop in the road for photos. Many travelers continue 30 minutes past Hana to the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park for the Pools of Oheo and the extraordinary Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls (park entrance fee applies). Returning the way you came is standard; the "backside" route is beautiful but partly unpaved and sometimes restricted for rentals — check your rental agreement.
Alternatively, guided van tours handle the driving so everyone can gawk — a sane option for solo drivers or the carsick-prone (the 600 curves are real). Either way: take motion-sickness precautions, download offline maps (signal vanishes), pack water and reef-safe sunscreen, and resist over-scheduling. The Road to Hana rewards those who treat it as the day's destination, not a checklist.
What to Expect
Format
A self-driven (or guided-van) full-day scenic drive: ~64 miles each way, 600 curves, 50+ one-lane bridges, with waterfall, beach, and viewpoint stops of your choosing. Waianapanapa's black-sand beach requires advance reservations.
Best Time
Leave by 7am — you'll stay ahead of traffic, catch quieter stops, and have buffer for the return. Drier months (roughly April-October) mean fewer road closures, but waterfalls run best after rain.
Duration
A genuine full day: 10-12 hours with stops, dawn to dusk.
Tips
Book Waianapanapa in advance. Start early, gas up in Paia, download offline maps. Pick 6-8 stops rather than attempting everything. Yield at bridges; use pull-offs. Motion-sickness meds for the prone. Continue to Pipiwai Trail/Oheo if energy allows — it's a highlight. Don't drive it exhausted after a Haleakala sunrise.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Road-trippers and nature lovers — if winding drives thrill rather than nauseate you, it's Maui's definitive day.
Families
Great with flexible kids; plan swim stops (Twin Falls early, the pools) and bring snacks and entertainment for the curves.
Couples
One of the most romantic days in Hawaii — waterfalls, picnic stops, and the black-sand drama of Waianapanapa.
Pair With
Nothing — give it the whole day. Recover the next morning on a beach or a Molokini snorkel.
Time Needed
A full day, sunrise start.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations for anything?
Yes — Waianapanapa State Park (the black-sand beach) requires advance timed entry and parking reservations for non-residents via the Hawaii State Parks system. The Kipahulu district past Hana charges the Haleakala park entrance fee.
How long does it take?
Plan 10-12 hours round trip with stops. The driving alone is ~2.5-3 hours each way without stopping — but stopping is the point.
Is the drive dangerous?
It's slow and winding rather than dangerous — one-lane bridges, blind curves, occasional rain. Drive patiently, yield, pull over for locals, and don't rush. Skip it in severe weather.
Should I take a tour instead?
If you'd rather look than drive — or get carsick — the guided van tours are excellent: someone else handles 600 curves while narrating. Solo travelers often prefer them.
Can I loop the "backside"?
The continuation around the south side is spectacular but partly unpaved; some rental agreements restrict it and weather can close it. Most visitors return the way they came. Check conditions and your rental terms first.
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Haleakala National Park (Maui)
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