The Road to Hana: A Complete Guide to Maui's Most Famous Drive

The Road to Hana is 64 miles of the most beautiful driving in the world. It winds through rainforest, past waterfalls, over one-lane bridges, and along cliffs above the Pacific. It is also one of the most frequently mismanaged tourist experiences in Hawaii — driven too fast, started too late, and abandoned before the best parts.

Here is how to do it properly.

Distance: 64 miles from Kahului to Hana town Time: 3–4 hours of driving without stops. With stops, plan for a full day — 8–10 hours minimum. Road conditions: Narrow, winding, and occasionally one-lane. The road is paved throughout but requires attentive driving. Not suitable for large vehicles. Best start time: Leave Kahului no later than 7 a.m. The road gets congested by mid-morning, and starting early means you reach the best stops before the crowds.

Yes. If you have the flexibility, staying overnight in Hana is the single best decision you can make about this drive.

The Road to Hana is not a loop — it is a point-to-point drive, and the return trip on the same road is tedious. Staying overnight in Hana allows you to:

• Drive at a relaxed pace without worrying about getting back before dark
• See the road in the morning light, when it is most beautiful and least crowded
• Continue past Hana to the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park (Oheo Gulch / Seven Sacred Pools), which is 10 miles past Hana and worth the extra time
• Experience Hana town itself — a genuinely remote, beautiful community that most day-trippers see only briefly

Where to stay in Hana: Travaasa Hana (now Hana-Maui Resort) is the classic choice — expensive but extraordinary. Bamboo Inn is a beautiful boutique option. Book months in advance; Hana has very limited accommodation.

There are dozens of stops along the Road to Hana. Here are the ones worth your time.

The first major stop, just past the town of Haiku. A short walk through a bamboo forest leads to two waterfalls with swimming holes. It is crowded because it is early and easy, but the falls are genuinely beautiful. Go early or skip it if you are pressed for time.

A private botanical garden with manicured grounds, ocean views, and several waterfalls. The entry fee ($15 per person) is worth it for the relative quiet and the quality of the grounds. The Puohokamoa Falls viewpoint here is one of the best on the road.

A short loop trail through a eucalyptus forest with excellent views. Takes about 30 minutes. A good leg-stretch stop.

A state park with restrooms, picnic tables, and a sweeping view of the Keanae Peninsula below. One of the best viewpoints on the road.

Turn left at the Keanae Arboretum and drive down to the peninsula. This is one of the most striking landscapes on the road — a flat lava peninsula jutting into the ocean, covered with taro fields, with waves crashing on the black rock shore. The Aunty Sandy's banana bread stand at the bottom of the road is legendary. Get there early — she sells out.

A short walk to a viewpoint over the Wailua Valley and the Ko'olau Gap in the West Maui Mountains. On clear days, you can see waterfalls cascading down the valley walls.

Restrooms, picnic tables, and two waterfalls with swimming holes. A good mid-road stop for a swim and a break.

A small community with a food stand that serves excellent local food — taro chips, coconut candy, and fresh fruit. Worth a stop.

Black sand beach, sea caves, and dramatic coastal scenery. One of the most photographed spots on the road. Reservations are now required to enter the park ($5 per person, book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov). The black sand beach is extraordinary — the color comes from volcanic basalt. The sea caves are accessible by a short walk.

Hana is a small, quiet community that has resisted the development that has transformed the rest of Maui. The Hasegawa General Store has been serving the community since 1910. The Hana Cultural Center has a small but excellent museum of Hawaiian history. Hana Bay is calm and swimmable.

Ten miles past Hana, the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park contains Oheo Gulch — a series of pools connected by waterfalls, commonly (and incorrectly) called the Seven Sacred Pools. The lower pools are accessible by a short walk from the parking area. The Pipiwai Trail (4 miles round trip) leads through a bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot waterfall. This is one of the best hikes on Maui. Allow 2–3 hours.

Note: Swimming in the pools is sometimes prohibited due to flash flood risk. Check conditions at the park entrance.

Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread (Keanae): The most famous banana bread in Hawaii. Arrive early.

Nahiku Marketplace: A cluster of food stands serving local food — coconut candy, fresh fruit, grilled corn, and more.

Braddah Hutts BBQ (Hana): Excellent local BBQ in Hana town.

Hana Ranch Restaurant: The main restaurant in Hana, serving local beef and fresh fish. Reservations recommended.

Start early. Leave Kahului by 7 a.m. The road is significantly less congested before 9 a.m.

Fill your gas tank before you leave. There is one gas station in Hana, and it is expensive. Fill up in Kahului.

Download offline maps. Cell service is intermittent along the road. Download the route on Google Maps or use the Shaka Guide app (an audio guide specifically for the Road to Hana — excellent).

Bring cash. Many of the roadside stands and small vendors are cash only.

Do not rush. The Road to Hana is not a destination — it is the experience. The people who enjoy it most are the ones who stop often, linger at the places that move them, and do not treat it as a box to check.

The return trip: If you are not staying overnight, you can return the way you came or continue past Kipahulu on the southern route (Highway 31) through Upcountry Maui. The southern route is rougher and partially unpaved, but it avoids retracing the entire road. Check current road conditions before attempting it — it is sometimes closed.

Read our full Maui guide for more on the island's top experiences, or visit our Plan Your Trip page to book car rentals and tours.