Safety InformationOn the back road to Hana you'll drive along some dirt roads, over cliffs with rusty guardrails and along narrow coastal roads.
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Yes, you can certainly drive the Road to Hana on your own. However, if you'd like some extra guidance on your trip, a driving guide from Action Tour Guide will make for the perfect travel buddy. Driving the Road to Hana is a thrilling and breathtaking experience.
Cozy footwear is a must.Flip-flops are the best for the beach but don't forget to bring sneakers and socks for Hana hiking.Further, we suggest wearing a swimming suit under your clothes. Maui's hiking tracks usually lead to hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls – mainly along the Road to Hana.
One of the main dangers on the Road to Hana is the narrow and winding nature of the road itself. The road is only two lanes wide, and it winds through the rainforest, with sharp turns and steep drop-offs. There are also many one-lane bridges along the route, which can be difficult to navigate.
Wear a pair of sneakers you don't mind getting wet along the hiking trails and also a pair of flip flops or sandals for the beach. A lot of Road to Hana is wet and misty, so leave those white tennis shoes at home! (Bonus: bring some plastic bags to wrap your wet/muddy shoes in).
East Maui (ie. Road to Hana, Hana town) is very wet, jungle-like, and forested, so mosquitoes are more abundant there. DEET-based mosquito repellent works well, but I don't like the poisonous chemicals involved, so I prefer citronella candles or citronella-based mosquito repellent wrist bands.
This depends on what type of traveler you are and how much time you have. If you'd rather not drive, and you want a guide you can ask questions to, a Hana van tour is the best option. If you want a little more control over where you go, and you want to do your own research, driving is your best option.
There are over 600 hairpin curves and 59 one-lane bridges to cross. With all of those, numerous blind-spots and the 25mph speed limit (or slower), those 52 miles will take about two and a half hours if you don't run into any distractions. However, this road is FILLED with one incredible distraction after another!
Tip 2: Take nausea medicine.I have a friend who took medicine before going on the Road to Hana and her group still had to turn back because she got so sick. Getting motion sickness is pretty common along this fairly wind-y road so if you can prepare in advance, that will help immensely.
The road is unpaved but well-graded dirt for five miles, and at some points it is only one lane wide and has precipitous drop-offs, but at no point is 4WD essential. The only time you would need 4WD is during a torrential rainstorm—and in that situation, you should stay off the road altogether.
Visit us between December and March to enjoy the low chance of rain and gorgeous outdoor attractions on the windward side of the island. We recommend checking out the car rentals and embarking on the iconic Road to Hana!
However, the Road to Hana can also be driven in reverse, going from Hana backwards to Kahulu. Some people choose to do this based on proximity. If you're staying closer to Hana than Kahului, then you can drive the reverse version, if the opposite is true, then you can drive the customary counter-clockwise route.
Sundays and Thursdays are heavy travel days (arriving and leaving the island) so the road to Hana may be less crowded. Start early to get the most out of your day. This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget.
All visitors now must have a reservation voucher in order to enter the extremely popular Wai?anapana State Park (Black Sand Beach), along the famous Road to Hana on Maui. There is a small fee per vehicle (includes all passengers) for a parking reservation (includes entry) for a 3 hour selected allotment.
It's best to be on the road, leaving your resort by at least 7:30 am. If you start late, the Road to Hana can be crowded with other drivers. That can mean that you might find yourself crawling along behind slower drivers at time.