Hana Highway - Road to Hana
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Connecting Kahului to Hana, this highway is a tourist attraction in and of itself, rewarding drivers with spectacular views of Maui's mountainous east coast.
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More than 3 hours
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42 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
9,937 reviews
Excellent
5,931
Very good
2,336
Average
1,027
Poor
405
Terrible
238
LarsieB
Denver, Colorado, USA1,223 contributions
May 2022
The Road to Hana is definitely worth doing once during a trip to Maui. As most people say you need to allow a whole day for this activity, and leaving early in the day, for this trip, is definitely worthwhile even though it's hard to get up early during a vacation. I'd also highly recommend purchasing and downloading one of the apps available for about $10-$20. It's a worthwhile investment and really makes it much easier knowing where to stop along the way - the self guided tour app. that we had for the Road to Hana was great and we learned a lot of history about this road too. Be sure to fuel up your car before starting and if anyone in your group/family gets car sick have a motion sickness tablet first for all the bends in the road. Be sure to pack drinks, snacks, swimsuits and towels and to stop at Aunty Sandy's when you come across it to purchase a loaf of banana bread. And for anyone wondering our hire car was a four door sedan and it coped perfectly fine with the paved roads along the Road to Hana. My biggest advice is pay attention to all the one lane bridges, these can be tricky at times to know what traffic is coming so slow down and take your time!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vicky F
los angles, ca15 contributions
Jun 2021
Highly recommend !! Although driving it I would only recommend to those who are confident drivers who do not get anxious really easily. If in doubt take a tour bus. Also recommend bringing Dramamine. Top Tips- Download the Gypsy app who will be your personal tour guide. I don’t know what we would have done w/out it ! Waianapanapa state park requires a reservation weeks in advance and is well worth the fee ! Just remember to screen shot your reservation QR code since there is no cell phone service for most of your drive. However, if you forget to screen shot your QR code like I did, I was advised to drive about 10min to the city of Hana where they have some cell phone reception to be able to access my email. We had a 10 hour long day but it was worth it !!
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WorldTravel2192
Vancouver, Canada75 contributions
Apr 2022
Loved this drive - definitely thank your driver as it can be a daunting (but definitely worthwhile) task to take on the many one lane bridges and corners.
Two recommendations for those looking to take on the road:
1. During COVID, certain stops (like the black sand beach) require a prior reservation to access. Unfortunately you CAN NOT make the reservation for same day travel so plan ahead or risk missing this stop.
2. Check out the GyPSY audio guide (just bring a charging cable as it drains your phone). Can be downloaded for around $14 (there was a deal on where you could get all of Maui for $7 USD while we were there). Audio guide tracks your progress and lets you know where the must see stops are and what is likely to be a busy area that can be safely missed. In addition to letting you know safe areas to park and must see stops, it also gives you a great history of the island all the way back from Hana. Can't imagine having down this trip without it!
Overall, a great drive and really beautiful scenery.
Two recommendations for those looking to take on the road:
1. During COVID, certain stops (like the black sand beach) require a prior reservation to access. Unfortunately you CAN NOT make the reservation for same day travel so plan ahead or risk missing this stop.
2. Check out the GyPSY audio guide (just bring a charging cable as it drains your phone). Can be downloaded for around $14 (there was a deal on where you could get all of Maui for $7 USD while we were there). Audio guide tracks your progress and lets you know where the must see stops are and what is likely to be a busy area that can be safely missed. In addition to letting you know safe areas to park and must see stops, it also gives you a great history of the island all the way back from Hana. Can't imagine having down this trip without it!
Overall, a great drive and really beautiful scenery.
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AshBernadette88
Colorado Springs, CO1,533 contributions
Feb 2022
We decided to drive Hana Highway later in the day, but we were able to do three hikes and make it to the half-way point.
The road, while curvy, is very well-maintained and definitely wide enough for two vehicles (except for bridges). We hiked the Twin Falls Trail and the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, and we stopped at Keanae Arboretum (free!) for a stroll. On these adventures, we saw lots of bamboo trees, tropical plants and flowers, and gorgeous Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Neither the Twin Falls nor the Waikamoi Ridge hikes were difficult. There are warning signs at Twin Falls indicating the difficulty of the trail...it was not at all difficult, so don't be alarmed. If you choose to hike Waikamoi Ridge, there is a section covered in downed trees you'll need to traverse, but it's not at all difficult. Of course, several waterfalls and stunning views of the coastline are pervasive throughout the drive itself.
I highly recommend downloading one of several apps that provides information and history of the area while on the drive. Most apps pick up your GPS location and relay information about stops coming up, what's worth stopping at, what interesting sites are in the area, which stops are free, etc., as well as a fairly detailed history of the Hawaiian Islands.
A brief note on driving etiquette: if there is a line of traffic behind you, please pull over when able so people can pass. Remember that locals live here and have to drive this road daily for work!
The road, while curvy, is very well-maintained and definitely wide enough for two vehicles (except for bridges). We hiked the Twin Falls Trail and the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, and we stopped at Keanae Arboretum (free!) for a stroll. On these adventures, we saw lots of bamboo trees, tropical plants and flowers, and gorgeous Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Neither the Twin Falls nor the Waikamoi Ridge hikes were difficult. There are warning signs at Twin Falls indicating the difficulty of the trail...it was not at all difficult, so don't be alarmed. If you choose to hike Waikamoi Ridge, there is a section covered in downed trees you'll need to traverse, but it's not at all difficult. Of course, several waterfalls and stunning views of the coastline are pervasive throughout the drive itself.
I highly recommend downloading one of several apps that provides information and history of the area while on the drive. Most apps pick up your GPS location and relay information about stops coming up, what's worth stopping at, what interesting sites are in the area, which stops are free, etc., as well as a fairly detailed history of the Hawaiian Islands.
A brief note on driving etiquette: if there is a line of traffic behind you, please pull over when able so people can pass. Remember that locals live here and have to drive this road daily for work!
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelBees8
Orange County, CA372 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Some have said it is much too dangerous and risky tour as the road to Hana is windy and narrow BUT then there are others that will say it is not as scary as some make it out to be. Honestly I am with the latter. It is preferable that whoever is driving should be a driver with patience and understanding of road rules and etiquette. Most of the drivers were very gracious and polite…it’s the locals who drive for the tour groups and/or construction crew that are mad and rude! Watch out for these guys if they are glued to your tail….I literally had one blaring his horn at me because the drivers in front of me were not going fast enough! He eventually cut all 3 of us off at a do NOT pass zone. Saw it again with a tour bus driver pounding his horn at 3 separate turns for the poor SUV 5 cars ahead to speed it up but they forget that visitors are not use to such terrain and are also trying to enjoy the scenic roads. Aside from the harassment of such rude boys, the entire trip was absolutely worth it and gorgeous!!!
TIP: download the Gypsy Guide road to Hana ($9.99) in your phone and turn it on just as you leave the town of Paia…this was the best app I’ve ever downloaded for a trip!
TIP: download the Gypsy Guide road to Hana ($9.99) in your phone and turn it on just as you leave the town of Paia…this was the best app I’ve ever downloaded for a trip!
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Picketfences101
Texas12 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We wanted to experience this drive but did not want to take 8-12 hours of our day so we decided to do 1/2 drive on our own. We very much enjoyed our day, here’s what I recommend:
1) research where you want to stop before going - do not try and wing it. You can’t turn around and you won’t know what you’re doing.
2) a must, a huge must is to download Gypsys road to Hana tour app. It costs 9.99 and is a great investment. It narrates everything, tells you where to turn off, etc. excellent. It starts in paia. Cannot recommend strongly enough. This thing knows where you are even when you have no cell service.
3) get gas before Paia town- no gas after!
4) know the road etiquette (1 car passes bridge, then alternate) honk your horn going around a hair pin turn.
5) if you’re doing a waterfall tour later in your week, skip twin falls
6) you must take cash. If you want to park or have banana bread, you need cash!
7) we rented a convertible for our trip and wish we had had a jeep.
8) you need a car charger
9) we really really enjoyed garden of eden, it’s gorgeous stunning views snd plants. You have to pay $20 pp to enter.
10) aunt Sandy’s banana bread is totally worth it
11) do this tour on your first day. You can’t sleep, your up early. We were planning to do this later in the week but we woke up bright eyed by 5:30 (and we love sleep) so we said let’s hit the road. We were driving through paia at 7:30 and we had no traffic and no issues.
12) for reference: we left Kaanapali at 6:45, made it to paia at 7:30, made 4 good stops. Turned around at aunt Sandy’s and made it back to Kaanapali at 12:15 (we had 1:30 massages booked)
13) you need good shoes for this. When you get out, you’re walking around it’s wet, Sandy, gravel… wear good shoes.
14) bonus: we had been trying to book mama’s fish house for months, we popped in on our way back and scored a last minute reservation for the next day.
Last, this tour is completely doable on your own. However. If your are a nervous driver or do not know us road laws, then do a tour. Also, some mentioned motion sickness. I am prone to motion sickness and 0 problems on this drive. If I had been in the back of a van, I probably would have been miserable.
1) research where you want to stop before going - do not try and wing it. You can’t turn around and you won’t know what you’re doing.
2) a must, a huge must is to download Gypsys road to Hana tour app. It costs 9.99 and is a great investment. It narrates everything, tells you where to turn off, etc. excellent. It starts in paia. Cannot recommend strongly enough. This thing knows where you are even when you have no cell service.
3) get gas before Paia town- no gas after!
4) know the road etiquette (1 car passes bridge, then alternate) honk your horn going around a hair pin turn.
5) if you’re doing a waterfall tour later in your week, skip twin falls
6) you must take cash. If you want to park or have banana bread, you need cash!
7) we rented a convertible for our trip and wish we had had a jeep.
8) you need a car charger
9) we really really enjoyed garden of eden, it’s gorgeous stunning views snd plants. You have to pay $20 pp to enter.
10) aunt Sandy’s banana bread is totally worth it
11) do this tour on your first day. You can’t sleep, your up early. We were planning to do this later in the week but we woke up bright eyed by 5:30 (and we love sleep) so we said let’s hit the road. We were driving through paia at 7:30 and we had no traffic and no issues.
12) for reference: we left Kaanapali at 6:45, made it to paia at 7:30, made 4 good stops. Turned around at aunt Sandy’s and made it back to Kaanapali at 12:15 (we had 1:30 massages booked)
13) you need good shoes for this. When you get out, you’re walking around it’s wet, Sandy, gravel… wear good shoes.
14) bonus: we had been trying to book mama’s fish house for months, we popped in on our way back and scored a last minute reservation for the next day.
Last, this tour is completely doable on your own. However. If your are a nervous driver or do not know us road laws, then do a tour. Also, some mentioned motion sickness. I am prone to motion sickness and 0 problems on this drive. If I had been in the back of a van, I probably would have been miserable.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ACharles70
San Jose, CA25 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We used the Maui Gypsy Guide Road to Hana tour, which was super informative and easy to use! Download the app before you go and listen to it in the car during the entire drive (bring a car charger!). The app knows where you are through GPS and will point out places to stop. You will not have much cell phone coverage during the drive. Overall, this is a FULL day to drive to Hana and back. There are more than 50 one way bridges and so many turns, that you can’t go very fast. It rained for the first half of the drive for us, so be sure to bring a rain coat or umbrella. Also, bring snacks in the car, as there aren’t many places to stop along the way. If you want to go to the black sands beach at Waianapanapa State Park, make sure to make reservations before hand. Unless you are staying in Hana, I would recommend you make reservations after 11am, as it would be difficult to get there before that if you are starting in Paia. If you want to drive past Hana to Haleakala National Park at Kipahula, bring hiking shoes. The “7 Sacred Pools” there are usually closed, so don’t rely on going swimming. You can enjoy a nice picnic lunch down by Hana Bay, since there are many picnic tables there, as well as public restrooms. The road past Kipahula is not very reliable, and most car rental companies won’t allow you to drive that way around, so it is best to turn around and go back the way you came. It is a beautiful drive and many waterfalls right off the side of the road to see.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Avi D
8 contributions
Nov 2021
We drove the highway at a leisurely pace, letting the lineups of vehicles pass us so that we were watching scenery (and scary turns) instead of somebody else's bumper. That gave us time to hang out at Garden of Eden and a few waterfalls along the way. We could do that because we had found overnight accommodation in Hana (not an easy thing to do at an affordable price) so we didn't need to do the entire trip both ways before sunset. It also allowed us to spend time beyond Hana (Red Sands Beach, Venus Pool, the Oheo Gulch -an overrated sterile experience I wouldn't recommend) the next morning.
Written December 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RMF
3 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The road to Hana and this specific trail is advertised in every blog as 'a must go' adventrure. In my opinion, it is more like a road to hell. Beautiful views can be seen all over the island, and I strongly recommend seeking those elsewhere. Here, you will be miserable every minute of the journey, just to arrive and hike a trail that's overhyped, expensive, underdeveloped, and plain. It is unimpressive. The roads are poorly maintained, full of tourists and cranky locals. You can stop by a questionable food truck/trailer and have some local cuisine and fruits, but again, not a unique experience. Seeing a druggie, stray dogs and cats, road kill, abandoned cars with no wheels (like a Mad Max movie), graffiti crater size pot holes is not what you hope to deal with on a vacation.
The trail itself is fine, but driving here for 3+ hours is simply not worth it. Stay away from this place.
The trail itself is fine, but driving here for 3+ hours is simply not worth it. Stay away from this place.
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bk2019june
Fresno, CA26 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Hands down, the best adventure I have done with my family in my life. Can’t wait to do it again as we missed many spots.
Leave early, it’s the key, you will be the first few at most places and can cover a lot. Saw many many cars drive towards the sacred pools when we were heading back, don’t be the one of those guys. You will miss the best.
Please get the gypsy guide app, it’s 6.99 and it’s worth $100. It works in no cell phone covers area too.
Great explanation every mile and you will understand the culture and history. My teenager and 20 yr old kid loved it. Must see places- garden of eden, black sand beach, red sand beach, sacred pools and Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls.
Carry water and be ready for rain any time.
Many Food places on the way, don’t need to carry food.(this was on dec 22nd, 2020, covid days) , traffic was light due to that fact and many food places closed but there were still plenty.
Last 20 miles is almost single road and wet, so smaller car the better. Leave the (sacred pools) 'Ohe'o Gulch and Haleakala National Park at 3 pm, you don’t want to be driving in the dark.
Enjoy the ride and be safe
Leave early, it’s the key, you will be the first few at most places and can cover a lot. Saw many many cars drive towards the sacred pools when we were heading back, don’t be the one of those guys. You will miss the best.
Please get the gypsy guide app, it’s 6.99 and it’s worth $100. It works in no cell phone covers area too.
Great explanation every mile and you will understand the culture and history. My teenager and 20 yr old kid loved it. Must see places- garden of eden, black sand beach, red sand beach, sacred pools and Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls.
Carry water and be ready for rain any time.
Many Food places on the way, don’t need to carry food.(this was on dec 22nd, 2020, covid days) , traffic was light due to that fact and many food places closed but there were still plenty.
Last 20 miles is almost single road and wet, so smaller car the better. Leave the (sacred pools) 'Ohe'o Gulch and Haleakala National Park at 3 pm, you don’t want to be driving in the dark.
Enjoy the ride and be safe
Written December 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Honcho
Friendswood, TX4 contributions
Wanting to see if the Kealakapi road is passable in a mini van from Hwy 31 to 37? Thanks
Honcho
Friendswood, TX4 contributions
Wanting to see if the Kealakapi road is passable in a mini van from Hwy 31 to 37? Thanks
travelgal1994
Franklin, TN831 contributions
We plan to take this drive in January and have seen contradictory comments about the red sand beaches. Open or private property?? Once on this road… one can turn around and back track? And wondering about the gardens… I didn’t see any comments about these.
TahoegpSA
San Antonio, TX389 contributions
There are many options for turnarounds along the Road to Hana. Not as true of the Road Beyond Hana. Some beaches require reservations; others do not. Best Bet is the Gypsy Guide or similar; however, be sure to check for local updates based on state and island regulations.
trooney86
Minneapolis, MN98 contributions
We are doing this trip tomorrow. Anyone know if the road is washed out or if the whole loop can be done right now (March 25,2021).
Emmmkk
Deer Park, TX14 contributions
I know this is 5 days old but none of the rental car companies cover the back road part that is required to do the entire loop. If you get stuck it’s very expensive to have a tow truck come out. Honestly, halfway to Hana was plenty for us. The drive is very strenuous.
Ashlyn F
New York City, NY3 contributions
Are roadside restaurants open along the road? I plan on traveling in February 2021. Thanks!
Jeffrey Myers
Johns Island, SC1 contribution
What is the best rental car type (compact, full, SUV) and company for the drive from Lahaina (arriving by cruise ship, Holland America) to Hana and back?
Sidney C
6 contributions
Don’t think you need anything special. The road is not that bad.
There are a few parts where you have one lane and some bad asphalt, but that is it. You may just need to go slower.
Maybe if it is raining for days you may have bad conditions.
Lorhop
New York City, NY91 contributions
Is it worth it or even safe to do if you're travelling alone and cannot hike due to a foot impairment?
ajknight
chittenango68 contributions
I hope i am not too late. I would say yes if you Can you get out of the car. most everything we did was take pics. we didn't hike except at 7 sacred pools . I am brave and outgoing . If that is how you are then go. If you get nervous I would say try something else
What’s the Hana shot?
Mom45
Hampton, VA191 contributions
It’s a little bottle of a mixture of ginger, pineapple, B vitamins, lemon and cayenne that helps with motion sickness. It’s widely available on Maui. I ordered some off of Amazon when I got home and it is officially marketed as “Hana Tonic Nausea Relief Shot”.
january
3 contributions
This is what I wanted to know. I can handle narrow and winding and one lane but not edge of a cliff. Is the whole road like this or just a few spots? I am terrified of roads with straight drop offs. That being said everyone talks about this road, how you can't miss traveling it....do you think if we went with a tourist company I would feel safer ( having someone else drive, someone who does it every day)
szobell
Bountiful, UT385 contributions
The roads are not bad at all. In the few places where there is a drop off, there is a guardrail keep you in safety. The only thing that gets sketchy are the blind corners. If you are patient and follow the speed limit, even those are not bad at all. Later in the day (after 4) the locals are driving the road. They know it well and cruise along rapidly.
Hana Highway - Road to Hana (Maui) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Hana Highway - Road to Hana
- We recommend booking Hana Highway - Road to Hana tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 46 Hana Highway - Road to Hana tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Hana Highway - Road to Hana:
- Road to Hana Day Trip (From $219.99)
- Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup (From $219.99)
- Small-Group Road to Hana Luxury Tour (From $354.00)
- Famous Road to Hana Mercedes van with Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & Lunch (From $259.99)
- Road to Hana Tour with Lunch and Pickup (From $274.99)
- Hotels near Hana Highway - Road to Hana:
- (0.10 mi) Paia Bay Suites
- (0.08 mi) 3 Bedroom Home - in Paia Town - Walk to it All
- (0.11 mi) Quaint Paia Beach House with Ocean Views! Cold AC! Walk to town/beach!
- (0.11 mi) Palm Cottage
- (0.12 mi) Luna House in the Heart of Paia, Maui
- Restaurants near Hana Highway - Road to Hana:
- (0.00 mi) Johnny's BBQ
- (0.13 mi) Thai Spice
- (0.18 mi) Mana Foods
- (0.18 mi) Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
- (0.19 mi) Paia Bay Coffee Bar