Driving tips for the Road to Hana on Maui
The official name for the Road to Hana is the "Hana Highway," also known as Highway's 36 and 360. The Road to Hana officially stops at the edge of Hana Town on Maui's far north east coast. But many define the drive as everything between Kahului to well beyond Hana town at the Oheo Gulch, or 7 Sacred Pools. Below we'll cover some useful tips and helpful advice for you to consider before making the drive for yourself.
Hawaii-Guide Tips for the Road to Hana
1.) Make the Road to Hana more than a day trip
Two days and a night in Hana
If you've got the time to spare, then we highly suggest making your experience along the Hana Highway a two day affair. Whereas many visitors have to rush along the highway to see everything, a two day (or longer) trip allows you the luxury of taking the highway at a much slower pace - the way it was meant to be experienced. Finding the right accommodations can be tricky in Hana at times, but with a bit of research you can usually find a good bargain. With a two day trip, you can use your first day to visit the sights between Paia and Hana, and the next to visit everything between Hana and Kipahulu. From there you can return along the Hana Highway, or if the road is open, continue along the Pi'ilani Highway (Highway 31) to upcountry Maui where the road joins in with the Haleakala Highway.
Two days and no overnight stay in Hana
If spending the night in Hana isn't an option, don't rule out the two day scenario. Having driven the road to Hana for many years now, we can say we've had all sorts of two-day itineraries that didn't involve a night in Hana. The first day was always spent driving to Hana and then returning before dusk. The second day we drove straight to Hana town, and continued from there. This may seem like an unnecessary amount of driving (which is why we do still recommend a night in Hana), but the drive is worth it and some of the real highlights are beyond Hana town.
The Road to Hana as a day trip
While viewing everything along the Highway in a single day is certainly not ideal, it IS doable. You'll just have to pick your stops wisely - see our notes on selecting the best sights below. You'll definitely want to make it to the Oheo Gulch before 3 p.m., which will give you plenty of time to explore before heading back by no later than 4 p.m. If you plan to do the famous Pipiwai trail at the Oheo Gulch, try and be there no later than 1 p.m. Always remember to give yourself enough time to make it back to central Maui before dark. The Road to Hana isn't a highway to be driving at night. Our article that poses the question, " Can I drive to the Oheo Gulch and back in one day" may be of further help to you.
Whatever you do, don't rush yourself. If you don't see everything this trip, then know you've got more sights to see on the next. If that means spending more time at fewer sites, do it - you'll thank us later. Enjoy what you can see with the time you have, and the Road to Hana will certainly be a memorable experience. And remember, it's the journey, not the destination. Hana town itself isn't the prize. The drive itself IS the attraction, so soak it in - trade off drivers if you can so everyone can sit in the passengers seat for a time.
As a side note, we encourage visitors not to plan anything else for the day allocate for the Road to Hana. Too many visitors try and cram the drive and another activity into the same day. The result is lackluster at best and often overwhelms your senses. Give the Road to Hana the day (or days) it deserves - you won't regret it. If possible, make it one of the first days of your itinerary on Maui.
Hawaii-Guide Tips for the Road to Hana
1.) Make the Road to Hana more than a day trip
Two days and a night in Hana
If you've got the time to spare, then we highly suggest making your experience along the Hana Highway a two day affair. Whereas many visitors have to rush along the highway to see everything, a two day (or longer) trip allows you the luxury of taking the highway at a much slower pace - the way it was meant to be experienced. Finding the right accommodations can be tricky in Hana at times, but with a bit of research you can usually find a good bargain. With a two day trip, you can use your first day to visit the sights between Paia and Hana, and the next to visit everything between Hana and Kipahulu. From there you can return along the Hana Highway, or if the road is open, continue along the Pi'ilani Highway (Highway 31) to upcountry Maui where the road joins in with the Haleakala Highway.
Two days and no overnight stay in Hana
If spending the night in Hana isn't an option, don't rule out the two day scenario. Having driven the road to Hana for many years now, we can say we've had all sorts of two-day itineraries that didn't involve a night in Hana. The first day was always spent driving to Hana and then returning before dusk. The second day we drove straight to Hana town, and continued from there. This may seem like an unnecessary amount of driving (which is why we do still recommend a night in Hana), but the drive is worth it and some of the real highlights are beyond Hana town.
The Road to Hana as a day trip
While viewing everything along the Highway in a single day is certainly not ideal, it IS doable. You'll just have to pick your stops wisely - see our notes on selecting the best sights below. You'll definitely want to make it to the Oheo Gulch before 3 p.m., which will give you plenty of time to explore before heading back by no later than 4 p.m. If you plan to do the famous Pipiwai trail at the Oheo Gulch, try and be there no later than 1 p.m. Always remember to give yourself enough time to make it back to central Maui before dark. The Road to Hana isn't a highway to be driving at night. Our article that poses the question, " Can I drive to the Oheo Gulch and back in one day" may be of further help to you.
Whatever you do, don't rush yourself. If you don't see everything this trip, then know you've got more sights to see on the next. If that means spending more time at fewer sites, do it - you'll thank us later. Enjoy what you can see with the time you have, and the Road to Hana will certainly be a memorable experience. And remember, it's the journey, not the destination. Hana town itself isn't the prize. The drive itself IS the attraction, so soak it in - trade off drivers if you can so everyone can sit in the passengers seat for a time.
As a side note, we encourage visitors not to plan anything else for the day allocate for the Road to Hana. Too many visitors try and cram the drive and another activity into the same day. The result is lackluster at best and often overwhelms your senses. Give the Road to Hana the day (or days) it deserves - you won't regret it. If possible, make it one of the first days of your itinerary on Maui.
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Author: J.C.Derrick
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