The Road to Hana passes through a rainforest, and heavy rainfall can cause landslides that block the road. This can be especially dangerous if you are driving and are unable to turn around or find an alternative route. In addition to the physical dangers of the road, there is also the risk of getting lost or stranded.
Dense rainforests, waterfalls, lava tubes, colorful tropical flowers, pristine beaches, and epic waves await along the Road to Hana. It's also where you will find some of the tastiest homemade banana bread in the world.
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.
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.
The 64-mile route on Maui connects the towns of Kahului and Hana. It only takes about three hours from point A to point B if you don't stop — but stop you must, as the sights along the way are part of the adventure.
If you're setting off on a Road to Hana tour in Maui, you'll want to make the most of the daylight hours. The safest and most pleasant way to travel on the Road to Hana is during daylight hours. Leaving around 7 am will leave you plenty of time for driving and a few interesting stops.
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.
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.
Most people drive the Road to Hana starting in Kahului and finishing up in the town of 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.
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.
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!
Weather: The reason the Road to Hana is so lush is because of all the RAIN. It rains almost every day on Hana but it never lasts long and it's usually a light/warm rain. Bring a towel or two, a light rain jacket/travel umbrella.
Experience tells me that a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday are probably best - mainly because there is LESS traffic to deal with. The Road to Hana is one of THE most popular drives on Maui, and while you cannot “escape” the traffic, the heaviest times are the beginnings and endings of the week, generally…
As mentioned earlier, you'll need to retrace your steps for your return trip. The Road to Hana is technically a loop, however it's not recommended to check out “Maui's backside.” First, it won't save you that much time. Secondly, most car rental companies specifically discourage this.
So here's what you need to know before you embark on your Hawaiian road trip to Hana. You're in for 64 miles of hairpin curves — 620 curves to be exact. 54 one lane bridges. And a journey that takes about 8-10 hours roundtrip to complete.
A one night stay is absolutely worth it. It gives you the opportunity to not feel rushed on your journey and you can make as many stops as you want. Plus, you get the chance to do activities on the route home, like the Pipiwai Trail or the 'Ohe'o Gulch.
'Ohe'o Gulch. (Seven Sacred Pools)When water levels are up, there are many more than 7 pools (as the inaccurate name suggests). The pools are currently not open to swimming. (Obey all signs here, as some areas are known for rock slides and have killed people.
It is seriously one of my favorite things to do in Maui with kids. Depending on how much time you have in Maui, it might be a good idea to find accommodation somewhere in Hana for the night and split the trip into two days; one for the way there and one for the way back.