Don't assume the trip won't be worth your time. As long as there hasn't been a torrential rain falling, the Road to Hana waterfalls will be gorgeous. Too much rain, however, can make them muddy and less appealing.
People Also Ask
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.
Make sure to leave Hana area at least a few hours before sunset. If the roads are open, and your rental car agreement allows, consider driving the backside of Haleakala. You'll watch sunset either from the back of the island or Upcountry near Kula and Makawao, which is pretty amazing.
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.
The best road trips are those where you can cruise around on the open road at your leisure, playing road trip songs or just enjoying the sounds of nature, stress-free. The Road to Hana is the opposite. It's crowded, fairly dangerous, and definitely stressful.
It is a beautiful adventure if you're up for the drive. It's possible to do the Road to Hana in one day but it takes an early wakeup and some prep work to maximize your day of driving.
Most of the stops on the Road to Hana are free (e.g., hikes and views) or low-cost (e.g., banana bread stops and black sand beach reservations). Overall, the Road to Hana is a good value for all you get to see and do in one day compared to loading a day of things to do on Maui with kids.
The half-day Road to Hana Tour is an amazing journey. See jungles, waterfalls, beaches, rivers, rainforests, mountains, ocean cliffs… and that's just part of it! We can make this tour whatever you want it to be!
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.
Bring cashWhether you stop at food trucks or roadside produce stands, it's a good idea to bring cash with you on your Road to Hana drive. While some vendors — such as the famous Aunty Sandy's banana bread stop — accept credit and debit cards, many businesses on the east side of Maui accept payment in cash only.
Bug Spray - Mosquitos love Hana tourists. Charged Cameras - Many photo opps await you! Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. Respect for the land & people - A crucial component to everyone's happiness.
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.