The Road to Hana is the NUMBER 1 thing we did on our trip to Maui! The Road to Hana is a must do, just like snorkeling in Maui, seeing a luau and watching a Haleakala sunrise. But the Road to Hana does come with its challenges. Luckily we are sharing some Road to Hana tips to make your adventure all fun and no stress!
Tips like what to wear for the Road to Hana, what to pack for the Road to Hana, what time to start the Road to Hana, the difference between doing the Road to Hana loop vs return, where to stay along the Road to Hana, Road to Hana driving tips and finally the best stops along the Road to Hana.
First off, let’s talk about what is challenging about this adventure. The Road to Hana is sometimes called Divorce Highway… However we did it and our marriage is still going strong!
Why is it called Divorce Highway? The road is VERY curvy with hairpin-turn after hairpin-turn, and over 50 one-lane bridges. If you are driving, you won’t be enjoying the view, you’ll be focused on the road.
Now, let’s begin the best Road to Hana tips including what to wear for the Road to Hana, what to pack for the Road to Hana, what time to start the Road to Hana, the difference between doing the Road to Hana loop vs return, where to stay along the Road to Hana, tips for driving the Road to Hana and finally the best stops along the Road to Hana.
Road to Hana Tips
What to Wear for the Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is a full day activity with beaches, waterfalls, hiking, swimming and more. Here’s exactly what to wear for the Road to Hana to be prepared for every activity you will come across.
- Hiking Sandals: For the Road to Hana it is best to wear waterproof sandals that you can hike in. I love these Teva sandals and have hiked many miles in them. They are comfortable, stay on and I can swim in them, cross rivers in them or hike through the mud without a worry in the world.
- Athletic shorts or cropped leggings: It will be warm and you’ll be active. Wear clothing that is comfortable and will dry fast if they get wet.
- Quick dry tank top: Again a quick dry and comfortable, lightweight top will be best. Though out the day you’ll be sweating and getting in and out of waterfalls and the ocean.
- Jacket: Plan to wear either a quick dry jacket or rain jacket that you can tie around your waist and use as needed. There’s a good chance you will run into rain at some point during your day.
- Swimsuit: You can either choose to wear your swimsuit or pack your swimsuit for the Road to Hana. If you wear it, pick a comfortable one that can support you through hiking and maybe even cliff jumping!
Wear Swimsuit or Pack It: Road to Hana
I personally have always worn my swimsuit while driving the Road to Hana. I love to jump in the waterfalls and ocean throughout the day. This is one of the reasons I always wear quick dry clothing as well. It’s just easier to wear your swimsuit rather than pack it for the Road to Hana.
Just remember to pack a change of clothes and a towel. You can change into a new, dry outfit and undergarments once you feel like you’re done swimming. Now let’s get into what to pack for the Road to Hana.
What to Pack for Road to Hana Drive
- Towel – A sand free and quick dry towel will be best for jumping into waterfalls, running into the ocean and lounging in the sun.
- Sunscreen – Make sure you are using reef safe sunscreen if you plan to swim in the ocean, which we highly recommend on your Road to Hana journey.
- Sunglasses & Hat
- Bug Spray
- Picnic – The Road to Hana is a full day activity. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on one of the beautiful beaches along the Road to Hana.
- Snacks
- Water
- Change of Clothes – Once you are done swimming you’ll want a dry change of clothes to change into to be more comfortable for the rest of the drive.
- Camera
- Phone Charger – Bring either a phone charging cord or portable charger to keep your phone running for the entire day.
- Cash
- Motion Sickness Medication – The Road to Hana has 619 hair pin turns. If you get car sick you’ll need some Dramamine to get through the day.
What Time To Start: Road to Hana
Aim to be crossing the Road to Hana starting point before 7am in the morning. Getting an early start means you will be on the road before a majority of other tourists. The main benefit to this is the traffic.
If you start the Road to Hana between 7am – 10am like most other tourists you’ll fight traffic all day long and always struggle to find parking spots at the best stops on the Road to Hana.
Starting later than 10am will greatly reduce the amount of sights you’ll be able to fit into your day. So, what time should you start the Road to Hana? We highly recommend starting the Road to Hana between 6am – 6:45am.
Road to Hana Loop vs Return
There are a few different ways to drive the Road to Hana. We will start with how most tourists will complete the Road to Hana.
Road to Hana Return
Most tourists will start in Paia, drive to Hana and then turn around and return to Paia. However, this is not what we recommend. Doing this doesn’t save you any time, and you miss some of the best stops on the Road to Hana by not completing the Road to Hana Loop.
Road to Hana Loop
To drive the Road to Hana loop you will start in Paia and continue past Hana to complete the entire loop around Haleakala Volcano. This allows you to see absolutely everything and not repeat anything. Plus the landscape and vegetation of the back side of Hana Hwy is so different than the front side. It’s worth seeing.
Many rental car companies advice against completing the entire loop because the road can get rough on the back side. Our tip is to ask the road conditions at the Haleakala National Park visitor center. The locals drive it everyday and will be able to tell you if you shouldn’t continue.
Where to Stay along the Road to Hana
One option when driving the Road to Hana is to stay overnight in Hana for one night. This allows you to really take your time exploring the Road to Hana and you can sleep in and not feel bad about getting a late start.
If you decide to stay in Hana here are some hotel recommendations.
Check price and availability for Kailani Suite at Hana Kai Resort.
Check price and availability for Hana-Maui Resort.
Road to Hana Driving Tips
The Road to Hana was doable in our opinion. Maybe that’s because we’ve been on backcountry dirt roads and national park access roads all year, but still! Here are our Road to Hana tips for driving this crazy road.
Consider Booking a Guided Road to Hana Tour
Apparently this road has caused some marital disputes over backseat driving and narrow-road-induced-anxiety. We found that all in all the road wasn’t a death-trap as some people described, however one thing was definitely true. The driver (Zach) did NOT get to enjoy the drive like everyone else. If you do a guided trip, your whole party can enjoy!
Download the Shaka Guide
What on earth is the Shaka Guide? Well, simply put, it is your lifesaver for the Road to Hana, in the form of an app. It is your guide for the entire trip, making sure you see everything you want to see and giving you a history lesson along the way!
The Shaka Guide tracks your GPS during the drive (which is impressive since there are many spots with no service on the Road to Hana). When you get to a spot where you need to stop, the Shaka Guide tells you what is coming up and where you can park!
Without this, we would have missed SO MANY things along the Road to Hana. If you aren’t doing a guided adventure, invest in the Shaka Guide, it will be worth your while.
Here is a link to the Road to Hana Shaka Guide. It cost us $19.99, but looking back we would have paid $50. It was PERFECT!
Leave Early
Plan to be on the Road to Hana before 7am to avoid traffic as much as possible. The more traffic that is on this road, the more stressful your drive will be.
Fill Up on Gas Before You Leave
There is no where to fill up on gas along the Road to Hana so make sure to fill up before starting your Road to Hana adventure. While being stranded in along beautiful Hana Highway doesn’t sound all that bad, I’m sure it’s not how you want to spend your Maui vacation.
Take Your Time
The Road to Hana has 617 hairpin turns on it and 46 one land bridges. Take your time and drive carefully. You never know what will be behind a blind curve and always watch for oncoming traffic when coming to a single lane bridge.
Must See Road to Hana Stops
Can’t Miss Stop 1 – ALL the Roadside Waterfalls
Okay, this sounds like a cop-out, since it is multiple stops. To be fair to us, there are almost too many to list! The waterfalls seem to be around EVERY bend in the road, in their majestic beauty!
Do yourself a favor and stop at as many waterfalls along the road as you can. Of course, make sure to park legally and safely, in one of the marked parking lots that the Shaka Guide tells you about!
Can’t Miss Stop 2 – Ke’anae Peninsula
Ke’anae Peninsula Google Maps Link
The Ke’anae Peninsula was an AWESOME detour stop on the Road to Hana. The peninsula juts out into the Pacific Ocean in a way that gives you an incredible panorama view of this stunning part of Maui.
Also on the Ke’anae Peninsula is an old stone church that was built in the 1850s! What is so special about this church? It was the ONLY building here to survive the devastating 35 foot tsunami of 1946!
Can’t Miss Stop 3 – Halfway to Hana
Halfway to Hana Google Maps Link
If you get hungry along the drive, there are a ton of great options for places to eat. We recommend stopping at Halfway to Hana for some banana bread or fresh fruit! If you skip this one, there are multiple roadside stops further down the path, all with delicious eats and drinks!
Can’t Miss Stop 4 – Wailua Iki Falls & Hike
Note: this is not a marked trail on the Road to Hana or on Google Maps. We only found it because of the Shaka Guide.
The hike itself is very quick, about a mile roundtrip. And at the end is 2 STUNNING waterfalls, one HUGE and one medium-sized. However, the medium-sized falls has something special about it: you can swim in the pool!
Yep, that’s right. There is a fresh-water pool that you can take a dip in if you are driving the Road to Hana in the Hawaiian heat!
Can’t Miss Stop 5 – Lava Tube Cave
Lava Tube Cave Google Maps Link
The Lava Tube Cave is a must-stop because of how unique it is! There is not another stop like this along the Road to Hana, in fact not in all of Maui that we could find!
The Lava Tube is, as the name suggest, a former home for flowing lava when Maui has an active volcano! Now, you can walk in and explore the deep cave in all it’s wonder!
Can’t Miss Stop 6 – Wai’napanapa Black Sand Beach
Wai’napanapa Black Sand Beach Google Maps Link
The Wai’napanapa Black Sand Beach is such an incredible and unique site. There are only a few black sand beaches in all of Hawaii, and this is a particularly special beach.
The Wai’napanapa Black Sand Beach is formed by the incredibly powerful waves beating against and eroding the lava rock along this coast. As a result, you get a beautiful beach unlike any you’ve ever seen. The color is such a deep, dark black that you won’t think it is real at first.
On top the beach, there are a few short hikes (really more like walks) that give you an awesome view of the coast looking back at Maui. There is a Sea Arch to see and the incredible panorama you get of the Pacific Ocean and island behind you!
Can’t Miss Stop 7 – Kaihalulu Beach
Kaihalulu Beach, AKA the Red Sand Beach. This is by far our favorite stop along the Road to Hana. This red sand beach is the most unique and cool beach we’ve ever visited. Plus the cherry on top is the amazing opportunity to cliff jump. The deep red hue of the sand contrasts dramatically with the blue of the ocean and green vegetation, creating a visually stunning landscape.
It’s important to note that accessing Kaihalulu Beach involves a short but steep and somewhat challenging trail. Visitors should exercise caution and wear appropriate footwear.
Additionally, ocean conditions can vary, so swimmers and snorkelers should be mindful of their safety. Overall, Kaihalulu Beach is a must-visit for those seeking a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience on the Road to Hana.
Can’t Miss Stop 8 – Oheo Pools AKA Seven Sacred Pools
Oheo Pools AKA Seven Sacred Pools Google Maps Link
Wow! We have made it to the end of the Road to Hana! The road ends in Kipahulu at a small sliver of the Haleakala National Park! Since this stop is in the National Park, you will have to pay the park entrance fee of $30 for a 3 day pass.
As the story goes, these pools were a sacred swimming hole for native Hawaiians on Maui, and as a result building on the land has been forbidden. People have tried, but failed, and the land remains untouched by construction to this day!
The Oheo Pools are typically open for swimming, however we got particularly unlucky when we got here. The high water levels caused the National Park to close the pools to swimming.
Can’t Miss Stop 9 – Pipiwai Trail
Pipiwai Trail Google Maps Link
The last can’t-miss stop on the Road to Hana is also in Haleakala National Park: The Pipiwai Trail!
The Pipiwai Trail is a 4 mile round-trip hike, with 4 main attractions along the way! First off, Makahiku Falls is an incredibly powerful waterfall at the 0.5 mile marker. This is a great place for a first rest before continuing on the hike!
Second, there is an ENORMOUS Banyan Tree along the path that is a must to stop at. This won’t be a long stop, but the enormity of the Banyan Tree is wonderful to see and take in for a few minutes.
Third, the bamboo forest. After a mile, your hike will morph into an easy stroll through an otherworldly bamboo forest. The bamboo stalks shoot up and TOWER above you, and are packed so closely together that light barely squeaks through. This is DEFINITELY a sight to see.
Finally, Waimoku Falls is the trophy at the conclusion of the hike. Waimoku Falls is a 400 (FOUR HUNDRED!!) foot waterfall that seems to fall straight from the sky.
Depending on rainfall at the time of your hike, the falls could be anything from a beautiful stream to a powerful river flowing over the cliffs! We were there in a low-rainfall time, and even then the waterfall had us in awe as we stood beneath it!
Have Fun on the Road to Hana
Well, that concludes our Road to Hana tips! What an adventure you are in for!
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