Road to Hana (Hana Highway)

The Road to Hana connects Kahului and the town of Hana, hugging the coast for a distance of 64 miles. It’s famous for its difficult driving terrain and spectacular scenery. Highlights along the route include the seven sacred pools of Oheo Gulch, the Twin Falls waterfall, the Wailua Falls, the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls, the lush rainforests of the Haleakala National Park, the black sand beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park, Honomanu Bay, and the Hana Lava Tube (Ka'eleku Caverns).

Driving along the route can be challenging for more inexperienced drivers, so if you’re not confident or don’t feel like spending an entire day behind the wheel, consider joining a full-day Road to Hana tour with a local guide. For a more glamorous option, you can also get a bird’s eye view on a helicopter tour.

• Visitors must have a valid driver’s license plus international driver’s permit (depending on your country of origin) when hiring a car in Hawaii.

• Guided tours generally include a picnic lunch, drinks, and snacks.

• Bring a bathing suit if you plan to swim along the way.

• The speed limit along the road is 25 mph.

• Paia is a good place to stop if you need provisions along the way.

• Some tour companies offer wheelchair-adapted vehicles.

The Road to Hana starts in the town of Kahului, just west of Maui’s airport. If you’re driving yourself, pay attention, and follow the information on road signs. Some tours include hotel pickup. Helicopter tours usually take visitors by car one way and return by helicopter.

Whether you’re driving yourself or joining a tour, it’s best to start out early; even though the road is less than 70 miles long, it can take up to 6 hours to drive due to traffic, blind turns, and sightseeing stops along the way.

Lava tubes—natural tunnels formed by cooling volcanic lava flows—are only found in a few places in the world, including Hawaii. Explore the Hana Lava Tube (officially called the Ka’eleku Caverns), with a tour guide to see about a third of a mile of unique geological formations, including “lavacicles” and a famous area that looks like molten chocolate.

If you were to drive straight from Kaanapali to Hana, you could complete the 70-mile (110-kilometer) journey in under three hours. However, stopping to take in the views along the way is the entire point of the trip, so give yourself a whole day to make the most of it.

Yes, although the Road to Hana features hundreds of blind corners, it is generally safe to drive—if you are cautious and stick to the speed limit. The challenge of driving such a scenic route is that you can easily be distracted by the views. Give yourself plenty of time and make frequent use of pullouts.

Yes, rental cars are allowed on the Road to Hana. Most rental car companies have no restrictions on driving the standard Road to Hana route along the north side. However, many do forbid drivers from taking cars along the more challenging Piilani Highway, which is known as the "Back Road to Hana." It’s always a good idea to check your contract regardless.

You can expect traffic on the Road to Hana any day of the week, so there isn't really a best day—although holiday and summer weekends are typically the busiest. More important is the time of day. Set out early so that you have plenty of time to take in the sights and get back before dark; you do not need a Road to Hana ticket, so you can begin the trip at any time you choose.

Yes, if you are not a very confident driver. Driving the Road to Hana can be challenging due to its many hairpin bends and blind spots. If you are unsure about tackling the drive, leave it to an expert who has done the route many times before.

April and May and September and October are the best months for the Road to Hana. Visiting during these shoulder seasons means that the road is likely less congested, and the conditions are typically good. Although rain is possible anytime in Maui, you should avoid the wet season from November to March.

There is no best day to tour the Road to Hana as you can expect traffic from locals and visitors any day of the week. That said, holidays and summer weekends are typically the busiest. More important is the time of day you begin the drive. Set out early (around 7am) to complete the route before dark.

You should allow up to 10 hours to drive the Road to Hana. While you could complete the route in around five hours without stops, most people typically drive 8–10 hours and visit the many attractions or stop at the farm stands for local banana bread at the Keanae Peninsula farmstands halfway to Hana.

There are several restrictions on the Road to Hana. Some of the most important include not parking on the highway or impeding traffic, not blocking driveways, and not parking facing oncoming traffic—offenders often receive tickets for violations. Most importantly, drivers should respect the locals who use this road daily.

Whether driving the Road to Hana yourself or taking a guided tour, you should wear clothing that is comfortable for long stretches in the vehicle. You should wear a bathing suit to enjoy the beaches (especially the black-sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park and freshwater pools along the way and suitable footwear if you want to hike some trails.