Which route is better for Road to Hana?

The most popular route for the Road to Hana is to drive from Kahului to Hana along Route 360. This iconic route will take you through Paia Town and down Route 360 towards Hana Town. This is an out and back Road to Hana route. With this route for the Road to Hana, you will make stops as you drive toward Hana.



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That's right – driving the Road to Hana in reverse instead of forward! This way, you'll get to see all of the sights from a different perspective while still enjoying the beauty that this historic road has to offer. And, the best part is that you avoid the crowds!

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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.

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The 64.4 mile Road to Hana starts officially in the town of Kahului. From there, it winds along the northeastern edge of Maui, where it concludes in the village of Hana. Cutting through high-speed urban areas and rural mountain passes, the Road to Hana offers stunning views.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Yes – as long as your rental car agreement allows it. After exploring Hana, you'll continue to the Oheo Gulch, also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, and take the intermittently unpaved southern route via Highway 31 to follow the coastline and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

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No problem. Folks who are short on time can drive small portions of the Road to Hana if they prefer. Driving to Twin Falls or to the Rainbow Eucalyptus stand, passing a couple of nice sights and waterfalls can be just enough of the Road to Hana for some visitors.

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Hana Driving Checklist
  1. Decide on a day-trip or staying overnight. Hana is best experienced over at least a few days. ...
  2. Rent a car. Again, we encourage visitors to do a tour over renting your own car for this journey. ...
  3. Get The R2H CD Guide. ...
  4. Do some research. ...
  5. Pack a bag. ...
  6. Leave early and grab a picnic lunch. ...
  7. Pay attention to time.


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It's a beautiful scenic drive with a huge amount to see. Unfortunately, most visitors only plan to spend one day on this adventure and end up being rushed and missing many of the sights. If you are lucky enough to have a bit of spare time in your Maui itinerary, I highly recommend making this a two-day excursion!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Wear something comfortable You'll be spending much of the day driving, so be comfortable. Also, bring a swim suit, These luxury vans make stops where you have the opportunity to swim in fresh water pools and beaches along the way for those who want to cool off.

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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!

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The last thing you want to do is drive the winding road to Hana in the dark. 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.

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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.

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