Road to Hana Itinerary

The Road to Hana is one of the most iconic scenic drives in the world, located on the island of Maui, Hawaii. This slow, winding route offers breathtaking views that showcase Maui’s natural beauty. I'll keep this brief since the itinerary is the focus of this blog post, but here are a few quick tips to help you plan your trip before diving into the itinerary.

Started off our journey to Hana bright and early!

Tips:

• Download the GuideAlong app – It's well worth the cost. The app tracks your location and provides real-time guidance, ensuring you don’t miss any major or hidden stops along the way.

• Start early – We hit the road at 5 a.m. on New Year's Eve from our hotel in Ka'anapali, which helped us avoid traffic on this already slow-moving route.

• Pack snacks and water – While there are plenty of stops along the way, you never know when you’ll need a quick bite or extra hydration.

• Bring a swimsuit and towel – There are plenty of great swimming spots, but always check for posted warnings. When we went, some areas had signs cautioning against swimming due to leptospirosis.

• Decide whether to stay overnight in Hana – Many travelers drive back the same day, retracing their route. While the back road past Haleakalā National Park (Pi’ilani Highway) is generally passable, it has narrow sections, sharp turns, and unpaved stretches, making it challenging, especially in poor weather. It was actually closed when we went.

• Use a vehicle suited for winding roads – The Road to Hana is full of twists and turns, so make sure your car handles them well.

• Waianapanapa State Park - If you plan to stop here to see the famous black sand beach, make sure you reserve your tickets ahead of time.

Without further ado, here’s the streamlined itinerary we followed. It was a long day, and we aimed to be back before the New Year's Eve fireworks, so we prioritized our stops. Below, you’ll find the full list of potential stops – both ones we did and didn't visit. We didn’t want to miss the must-see spots, but if you have the time, go for the full experience! For even more details, the GuideAlong app is an invaluable resource along the route. And a special shout-out to ChatGPT for helping me add the mile markers!

Early Stops (Before Mile Marker 10)

• What we saw:

  • Paia Town – Last major town before the drive, great for grabbing breakfast and supplies. You can also stop here on the way back if you take the same route.

  • Ho'okipa Beach Park (Mile Marker 9) – a great place to spot turtles resting in the sand.
    

• What we didn't see:

  • Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2) – A short hike to waterfalls. We didn't want to waste too much time at the beginning, so we opted out of stopping to hike right away; however, we could see the falls from the road (pictured below).

  • Waikamoi Ridge Trail (Mile Marker 9) – A short jungle hike with scenic views.

Sunrise on the way to Hana

Turtles at Ho'okipa Beach Park on road to Hana

Twin Falls from a distance on the road to Hana

Scenic Stops & Waterfalls (Mile 10–20)

• What we saw:

  • Garden of Eden (Mile Marker 10.5) – A lush botanical garden with sweeping coastal views ($20 entry fee).

  • Ke’anae Peninsula (Mile Marker 16) – Dramatic lava rock coastline and the famous Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread.

  • HALFWAY TO HANA! (Mile Marker 17) - Get the banana bread and a smoothie if you didn't at a previous stop.

  • Wailua Valley State Wayside (Mile Marker 18) – Quick roadside stop with panoramic views.

  • Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears) (Mile Marker 19) – One of the most famous waterfalls on the drive.
    

• What we didn't see:

  • Ching’s Pond (Mile Marker 16.8) – A small swimming hole (caution: can be dangerous - it was closed for swimming when we went).

Bamboo tunnel at Garden of Eden Arboretum off road to Hana

Scenic overlook at Garden of Eden Arboretum on road to Hana

Pretty flowers at Garden of Eden Arboretum on the road to Hana

Peacock at Garden of Eden Arboretum on the way to Hana

Halfway to Hana!

Banana bread and pineapple smoothie at the Halfway to Hana stop

Eucalyptus tree (also called rainbow trees) at the Garden of Eden Arboretum on the way to Hana

Flower at Garden of Eden Arboretum on the way to Hana

Keopuka Rock Overlook at Garden of Eden Arboretum on the way to Hana

More Waterfalls & Iconic Landmarks (Mile 20–32)

• What we saw:

  • Hanawi Falls (Mile Marker 24) – A picturesque waterfall right off the road.

  • Nahiku Marketplace (Mile Marker 29) – A great spot for fresh fruit, snacks, and local food. We just drove by this since we weren't hungry at the time, but it looked amazing.

  • Waianapanapa State Park (Mile Marker 32) – Famous for its black sand beach (reservations required).
    

• What we didn't see:

  • Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park (Mile Marker 22.5) – Restrooms, picnic area, and a waterfall to swim in. We didn't stop since the swimming was off limits.

Waianapanapa State Park famous for its black sand beach on the way to Hana

A cave at Waianapanapa State Park on the way to Hana

Waianapanapa State Park from above on the way to Hana

Waianapanapa State Park view from road on the way to Hana

Waianapanapa State Park on the way to Hana

Cat at Waianapanapa State Park on the way to Hana

Hana Area & Beyond (Mile 33–50)

• What we saw:

  • Hana Town (Mile Marker 34) – Small town with food options and a relaxed vibe.

    • Tip: Get food at the Hana-Maui Resort (a Hyatt hotel), it was beautiful and the best Korean ribs! It was the perfect spot for celebrating making it to Hana (with a Maui Brewing Co. Big Swell IPA, of course). There is another place in Hana called Hāna Farms Roadside Stand, Pizza Oven and Bakery that looked amazing, but it was really packed when we went. We were so glad we found the Hyatt nearby!

  • Koki & Hamoa Beach (Mile Marker 50) – Stunning beaches near Hana.

  • Wailua Falls (Mile Marker 45) – A postcard-perfect waterfall near the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakalā National Park.
    

• What we didn't see:

  • Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach (requires a short but tricky hike).

Korean BBQ ribs at Hana-Maui resort in Hana

Wailua Falls on the way to Hana

Lunch view from Hana-Maui resort in Hana

Past Hana

• Haleakalā National Park – Kipahulu (Mile Marker 42) – Home to the Pipiwai Trail (a must-hike) and ʻOheʻo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools.). Like the other swimming stops above, check the conditions before swimming. We weren't able to swim here when we went.

• The Back Road to Hana – If open, you can take the rugged Pi’ilani Highway back, but be prepared for rough roads and remote terrain. We opted for the same route back as the road was closed when we went (as I stated above, but it's important to stress it).

Me sitting at the beach at Haleakalā National Park past Hana

The Pools of ‘Ohe’o (seven sacred pools) at Haleakalā National Park past Hana

Haleakalā National Park's seven sacred pools waterfalls on the way to Hana

Beach at Haleakalā National Park after Hana

Hope you have an amazing time on the infamous Road to Hana. Mahalo for reading!