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Road to Hana Itinerary

  • Writer: Vanessa
    Vanessa
  • Jan 20
  • 4 min read

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.

Ocean waves with mountain in background on the way to Hana. This is an early morning scene with the sky awakening with blue and yellow hues.
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.



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).



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.



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).



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).



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

11 Comments


Guest
Jan 31

On my list if I ever get to Hawaii. What an amazing drive.

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Vanessa
Vanessa
Feb 03
Replying to

I hope you can! Thanks for reading!

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Polly
Jan 31

Hawaii has been on my list for so long!!! That drive looks amazing with so much to see and what a fabulous way to explore Maui!

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Vanessa
Vanessa
Feb 03
Replying to

Definitely! I am a big fan of self-exploring. I hope you can make it there. Thanks for reading!

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Sierra
Jan 30

What a scenic route! Maui, Hawaii is high on my bucket list for sure.

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Vanessa
Vanessa
Feb 03
Replying to

You gotta go! Thanks for reading!

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Josy A
Jan 30

What a fabulous route with sooooo much to see and do! I love all the waterfalls. It was a shame you could not swim... Are there many of these sights that suit visiting them on the drive home (rather than on the way out) so you could see half on the way, and then half on the way back? Or is it more suited stopped at everything on the way to Hana?

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Vanessa
Vanessa
Feb 03
Replying to

Also, thanks for reading!

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undiscoveredpathhome
Jan 30

Thank you for such a detailed post! I'd love to do this one day :)

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