Mar 19th, 2008
Tips for Driving the Road to Hana
In my opinion, few drives are more beautiful than the Road to Hana on Maui. It’s a curvy coastal road with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and rainforest. It’s a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges.
Before we dive into the tips, let me be clear about what I mean about the Road to Hana. Take a look at this Google map below and notice Highway 360, also known as the Hana Highway. That’s the Road to Hana. I want to make it clear that I am not referring to the Palani Highway that brings you to Hana from the South. (Note: that rental car companies advise that you don’t drive the Palani Highway. Plus, a portion of the road is closed due to earthquake damage.)
View Larger Map
I should bring up one more important point. If you are prone to carsickness, then this drive isn’t for you. Don’t even think about it, without using something to help you combat carsickness.
Here are my top tips for enjoying your drive on the Road to Hana.
- Definitely plan to make a whole day of the drive there and back.
- Share the driving time with your travel companions, if possible. The drive can be stressful for one person. Consider whether you should add an additional driver onto your rental car contract as most contracts only allow one driver as a standard. Additional drivers can be added for a fee.
- Get a good Maui guidebook that will detail what to see along the way. Find one that provides references by mile markers. (I’ve used Maui Revealed in the past and found it was a good reference. Just make sure you never trespass or do any hiking or swimming that are beyond your skills. If it looks dangerous, it probably is!)
- Try to get an early start, say around 7am. You’ll avoid traffic with an early start.
- Avoid driving a long distance on this Road to Hana at night.
- If you notice a local driving behind you or a long line of cars, please be considerate and pull over to allow cars to pass as soon as you find a safe spot to do so.
- Do drive beyond Hana to the Kipahula area which about 10 miles beyond Hana. See the Oheo Gulch with the cascading pools and spend a bit of time walking around this area. Note that this area is part of Haleakala National Park. So, when you purchase entry into the park, it is valid for both entry points for 3 days from purchase.
- I like to drive all the way to Kipahula, then back to Hana and stop into the Hana Hotel for lunch on their lanai. The hotel grounds are beautiful and it makes for a nice relaxing break from all the driving.
- Don’t miss the black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park.
- Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and mosquito repellent (particularly if you are going to do any hikes)
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you start the drive. Gas stations are few and far between!
- If you think you might do any swimming, then make sure to bring beach towels.
- Always lock your car if you are going to be leaving it.
- Don’t forget your camera with lots of film/memory and fully charged batteries.
- On your way back to your hotel, don’t miss watching the windsurfers on Hookipa beach.
Have you driven the Road to Hana? What did you think of it? What tips would you add? Please share them.
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10 Responses to “Tips for Driving the Road to Hana”
We enjoyed our Road to Hana day. We did Haleakala sunrise on our 1st day & Road to Hana on our 2nd day in Hawaii. Since we were still on East coast time, it was quite easy to get a really early start. I am prone to car sickness but I did very well. I did have on a Relief band so it was either that or the fresh air (converible) that helped. The only part that did bother me a bit was the road between Hana & Oheo Gulch.
Hi Lissete - I’m glad you were able to enjoy the Road to Hana even though you are prone to car sickness. That’s good to know that the Relief band helped do the trick.
I totally agree with you on planning the early morning stuff for the first days. I come from Eastern time, too and it’s a piece of cake to get up early. In fact, it’s hard not to get up early. So, you might as well make good use of those early days.
I too get carsick and airsick but have found a wonderful remedy which has to be prescribed by a doctor: a patch you put behind your ear that works for 3 days. It’s miraculous. Works on the twisty road to Hana. Please Note: I recommend you do not use the Maui Revealed. It has a very bad reputation on the island and is outdated and badly in need of an editor. Flash floods are not uncommon and full of bad and dangerous advice. Alternative to Road to Hana if you don’t have an entire day to spend on th road: Twin Falls Trail. It’s right at the start of the Hana Highway. There’s a series of waterfall fed lagoons along a mile trail. Nice people run it. It’s free and there’s a fruit stand where you can buy fresh fruit and smoothies.
A nice open convertible will usually relieve car sickness along with a baggie of crystallized ginger to chew on. Remember if you’re taking Dramamine to take it at least 30 minutes prior (like if you’re leaving from Lahaina, take it then so it kicks in by the time you get to the beginning of the highway)
The road past Hana to Oheo Gulch is very narrow so if you’re going up to a blind turn, give your horn a quick little honk to alert anyone on the other side. I can’t count how many times we’ve encountered big dump trucks or big govt vehicles in the middle of an already narrow road. Gets the heart pumping!
Watch for flash floods at Oheo Gulch. It’s green on this part of the island because of rain and inland rain easily and quickly sweeps down the falls. So be aware of changes in water levels in your pool.
Remember as of right now you can’t go all the way around so if a trip to the Kaupo Store was on your trip, I believe the road is closed from the 2006 earthquake a mile or two before it.
Great post Sheila!
Renee & Angie - thanks for adding your thoughts and tips.
We noticed locals making it all around to Kaupo but they said it required four wheel drive. They’re saying the slides won’t be cleared until 2009. Most important on Road to Hana is letting locals by so they can go about their business. They will appreciate and acknowledge your good manners. Ditto on Maui Revealed comments. A diservice to this beautiful island, cheapens it. I recommend staying in Hana overnight and soaking up the sun on Hamoa Beach and taking a walk along the Wainapanap Coast. There’s a beautiful trail that hugs the shore.
Jon - I totally agree on letting the locals pass, so that’s why I made sure to mention it in the list of tips. I didn’t grow up in Hawaii, but I grew up in a touristy area, so I know what it’s like to have to follow slow driving sight-seers.
I appreciate all this first hand advice. I have printed it out for my upcoming trip. Thanks Sheila.
LilliAnne - I hope you have a wonderful time in Maui. The Road to Hana is really, really beautiful! I hope you’ll enjoy it!
I would stay overnight and enjoy it the way it was meant to be. Hana is so beautiful and natural. Make sure to respect the locals!!